President Alberto Fernández reiterated this Monday that they are “unsustainable” the surcharges applied by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and remarked that Argentina claims not to be treated “with a kind of punitive interest.”
Fernández assured that the war in Ukraine cost Argentina “5 billion dollars” because he had to pay more for energy, food and fertilizers” and, for this reason, he remarked that “the amounts (of surcharges) must be reviewed”, in an interview with the information portal France 24 from Bali, Indonesia, where he participates in the G20.
The President asked that Russia and Ukraine “find a solution” to the war, which is “suffering in the southern hemisphere” and also affects Europe in a “very bloody” way.
“Wars are like tango, they are danced in pairs, but the responsibilities are not the same. There were those who invaded the territory of another and that started the dispute. At this height of events, it is the two who have to find a solution”he pointed.
In this regard, he added: “The war that takes place in the northern hemisphere is suffered by the southern hemisphere. It is also very bloody because there is a continent that is suffering: Europe. That is why I am proposing that we sit down to demand that the parties in dispute find an exit”.
In addition, he affirmed that the war in Ukraine cost Argentina “5 Billion Dollars” because he had to pay more for energy, food and fertilizers” and, for that reason, he remarked that “the amounts (of IMF surcharges) must be reviewed.”
? “In the world we live in, we cannot live at war. We cannot be complacent with that reality, and we must demand that the parties in dispute find a dialogue solution”. President @alferdez in the interview with @mperelman by @FRANCE24_en. pic.twitter.com/Nb9z0ycjeq
– Alberto Fernández Press (@alferdezprensa) November 14, 2022
Mercosur on the agenda
In addition, Fernández pointed out that the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is “difficult to implement”, affirmed that the tensions within the ruling party “are not as important as they are presented by the press”, and estimated that “an important step” was taken to the resumption of the dialogue in Venezuela from the call of the president of France, Emmanuel Macron.
Instead, he pointed out that former US President Donald “Trump did everything necessary to divide Venezuela and leave it in a situation of isolation.”
“Today a part of the (Venezuelan) opposition continues to question the government of (Nicolás) Maduro. They have to recover dialogue, find a mechanism to coexist democratically and resolve their differences,” Fernández said.
?”The same day we met with @EmmanuelMacron and with @petrogustavo, the European Union returned to renew the sanctions on Venezuela. That must be finished.” The president @alferdez in the interview with @mperelman by @FRANCE24_en. pic.twitter.com/np0l4SjrJf
– Alberto Fernández Press (@alferdezprensa) November 14, 2022
“The EU-Mercosur agreement was signed by the governments of Mauricio Macri and Jair Bolsonaro. They are very difficult agreements for Brazil and Argentina to implement. I believe that the link between the EU and Mercosur has to be privileged, but the agreement has to take into account the asymmetries that exist”, Fernández pointed out and explained that “the irruption of the European automotive industry could be a big problem for the economies of Argentina and Brazil”.
? “Trump did everything necessary to divide Venezuela. Today a part of the opposition continues to question the Government of Maduro. They have to recover the dialogue and resolve their differences”. President @alferdez in the interview with @mperelman by @FRANCE24_en. pic.twitter.com/vwWrNAAM2C
– Alberto Fernández Press (@alferdezprensa) November 14, 2022
On Everyone’s Front
On the other hand, the President assured that “the tensions” within the Frente de Todos “are not as important as they are presented by the press.”
“We have different views on some things, yes. We are going to resolve things as they are resolved in a democracy. My responsibility at this time is to govern and resolve inflation, the deterioration of wages,” he said.
The president asserted that within the Front there are “sure of the need to continue together to prevent the past from returning to Argentina”, since “it was the past that got us into debt, the one that closed SMEs. We don’t want to go back. And for that we have to be united,” he added.
In this sense, Fernández commented that at this moment he is not analyzing the possibility of competing for his re-election in next year’s elections and confirmed that his objective is aimed at “leaving firm foundations” for the next period of Government.
“I don’t think about that”Fernández responded when asked if he will compete to lead a new presidential term starting in 2023 and added: “My biggest concern is that Argentina enters a path of growth and a better distribution of wealth.”
