Eduardo González
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce assured yesterday that it “respects” the diplomatic measures adopted by the Spanish Government after the statements of the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, against the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, but demanded that Spanish companies “continue to have the greatest institutional support in a strategic market” like Argentina.
“The current situation of diplomatic and political tension between the Governments of Spain and Argentina is a cause of concern for our business community,” declared in a statement the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, a public law corporation whose purpose is the representation, promotion and defense of the general interests of Spanish companies.
According to the Chamber, “the economic interests of our companies in the country are numerous, as demonstrated by the nearly 18,000 million euros of direct Spanish investment stock that makes Spain the second largest investor in the world in Argentina, only behind the United States, with more than 130 companies established in the territory.”
“We respect the diplomatic measures adopted by the Spanish Government in response to the statements made by the President of the Argentine Republic, but we consider it important that companies continue to have the greatest institutional support in a strategic market for many of them, and where they are doing excellent work with a high level of economic and social commitment in the country,” it continued.
“As a natural bridge between the public and private sectors of both countries, the Chambers make ourselves fully available to contribute to the recovery of dialogue and understanding at all levels that contribute to continuing to strengthen economic relations between Spain and Argentina that, with character “Generally, they enjoy good health and promising future prospects.”
During his recent visit to Madrid (in addition to participating in a Vox event in which he described Pedro Sánchez’s wife as “corrupt”, thereby triggering the current bilateral diplomatic crisis), Milei met at the headquarters of the Argentine Embassy with senior managers of Spanish companies with interests in their country, such as Telefónica, Santander, BBVA, Mapfre and Indra, among others.
At the meeting, in which the president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, was present (who yesterday refused to give his opinion on the diplomatic conflict between Spain and Argentina during an informative event at the New Economy Forum in Madrid: “I come for what I come for”) , the president wanted to convey a message of tranquility to the fifteen businessmen who attended the meeting and make clear to them his desire to involve foreign companies in investment projects in Argentina. Milei wants to implement legislation that promotes stability and legal security, thus turning the page on cases such as the expropriation in May 2012 of YPF from Repsol by the Government of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and for which the Argentine Republic was sentenced to pay 16,000 million dollars.
The statement from the Chamber of Commerce was published one day after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, announced the definitive withdrawal of the Spanish ambassador in Buenos Aires, María Jesús Alonso Jiménez, after Javier Milei’s repeated attacks against Pedro Sánchez. “The withdrawal of the ambassador means that, from now on, there will be no Spanish ambassador in Buenos Aires and the Embassy will remain at the level of a chargé d’affaires,” he added at the press conference after the Council of Ministers.
Debate in Congress
The diplomatic crisis with Argentina was addressed yesterday during Pedro Sánchez’s appearance before the plenary session of the Congress. During his speech, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, accused the head of the Executive of having started the “conflict with Argentina” “alone.” “What had to happen after his government accused (President Javier) Milei of drug trafficking?” He asked, referring to the words of the Minister of Transportation, Óscar Puente.
“Why does referring to his wife put democracy at risk and Mexico attacking the King doesn’t? Why so much fuss, but none when Morocco says that Ceuta and Melilla are not Spanish? Give me just one reason for Spain to withdraw the ambassador in Argentina but not in Russia,” he added. “He should fire his Foreign Minister (José Manuel Albares) for putting Spain’s interest at the service of the PSOE,” he added.
For his part, the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, stated during his turn that Sánchez “is not the King, and that his wife is not a State institution.” “Foreign policy should be a state policy and not a family policy, which he has done these days,” he continued. “They call the president of a nation a drug addict, fascist and crazy, and they expect him not to respond. They have launched an attack not on Milei, but on Argentina. Leaving the Spanish in Argentina without an ambassador will be a decision that will go down in history,” he added.
In his reply to Feijóo, Pedro Sánchez recalled that the Government of Mariano Rajoy “declared the Venezuelan ambassador in Madrid persona ‘non grata'” and (in response to the criticism of the PP leader regarding the ambassador in Russia) that Spain has expelled to 27 Russian diplomats for “constituting a threat to the security of Spain.” “First, a call for consultations is made and Javier Milei, far from rectifying it, ratifies the insult, and it is decided to withdraw the ambassador,” he explained.
During a business forum held on Tuesday afternoon in Buenos Aires, Milei insisted on his criticism of Pedro Sánchez, stating: “Just today I mentioned Spain. Anyway, I’ve already got Pedrito match point, despite what the progressive media may say”.
