About two weeks ago, Argentina signaled to the Brazilian government that it would sign the document called the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative by President Lula as part of his leadership at the G20 summit meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Argentina’s decision was then seen as positive for the bilateral relationship and for the G20 as a whole.
This Monday, however, doubts arose about Argentina’s adherence to the document. Which was discarded within a few minutes. The Brazilian proposal foresees that social programs such as, for example, Bolsa Família, in Brazil, will be implemented in other countries, financed by existing resources from international organizations, but which are currently dispersed across several activities. As of early Monday afternoon, adherence to the document included 82 countries, in addition to the European Union and the African Union.
Milei, however, is not in tune with the G20 agenda, which includes concern for the environment and equality between men and women in the workplace.
Last week, Argentina was the only country to vote against the resolution repudiating violence against women, at the United Nations Assembly. The same occurred in relation to a resolution suggested by Ecuador and Bolivia in defense of indigenous communities. Furthermore, by order of Milei, the Argentine delegation (of just four technicians) withdrew from the G29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was the first time in Argentine history that this had occurred.
Before the G20 meeting in Rio, Milei participated in the conservative meeting (CPAC), led by the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, last week. At the meeting, at Trump’s home in Palm Beach, in addition to giving a speech and celebrating the former president’s victory, Milei danced. This weekend, in Buenos Aires, he met with Emmanuel Macron, president of France.
They talked about the European Union and Mercosur agreement. Macron ratified that he is contrary to the agreement that has been negotiated for more than 20 years.
In recent days, Milei said that he wants Argentina to sign a free trade agreement with the United States – which goes against the principles of Mercosur. Milei has demonstrated her affinity with Trump on issues such as global warming – both deny the greenhouse effect.
This Monday, upon being received by Lula, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), as part of the G20, the two shook hands and posed for a photo, alongside Karina Milei, the president’s sister and secretary General of the Presidency, and Janja, Lula’s wife. The handshake and photo lasted seconds.
Almost a year after the inauguration of Milei, who made harsh criticisms against Lula in his campaign for Casa Rosada, the two had still not spoken. At a G7 meeting in Italy, they quickly saw each other. But, as so far in the G20, they didn’t talk either.
Despite the differences, in addition to the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, Argentina and Brazil announced the signing of an energy integration agreement to send natural gas from the Vaca Muerta complex, in Argentine Patagonia, to the Brazilian market. . The announcement was made by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, and the signing should take place this Monday, in the wake of the G20.