Ambassador
Ambassador Event
AMBASSADOR WAYNE AND U.S. CONGRESSMEN MEET PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER
September 4, 2008
Ambassador Wayne and the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota), met President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on September 4. Representative Peterson was on official visit to Buenos Aires leading a congressional delegation which also included congressmen Marion Berry (D-Arkansas), Ben Chandler (D-Kenctucky), and Jerry Weller (R-Illinois). The delegation also met with Ministers Jorge Taiana and Carlos Fernandez, Ambassador Héctor Timmerman and the Secretary of Agriculture Carlos Cheppi on the Argentine side.
President Fernandez de Kirchner and Representative Peterson talked for more than one hour about the productive and positive status of the bilateral relation and the common challenges ahead. Agriculture was an important part of the conversation. President Fernandez de Kirchner and Representative Peterson agreed about the importance of
continuing the dialogue on trade issues of common interest to both countries. Peterson congratulated the President for cancelling the country’s debt with the Paris Club and Ambassador Wayne reiterated the United States is ready to work jointly on the next steps.
The President and the delegation also talked about presidential elections in the U.S.
“Visits like today´s are very important to our bilateral relation, which includes exchanges of all walks. We had a very good and mutually productive meeting with the President”
said Ambassador Wayne following the meeting.
The delegation led by Representative Peterson had met earlier with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Taiana at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among other topics, they talked about the legal and scientific mechanisms related to Argentina’s request to export lemons and beef to the U.S. market. The Department of Agriculture is working closely with Argentine authorities to achieve positive and mutually beneficial results. Peterson also noted the importance of guaranteeing access to the market for U.S. beef and poultry exports. During the meeting, both parts agreed to strengthen and further promote congressional exchanges.
The delegation also met with Governor of Tucuman Jose Alperovich, Secretary of Agriculture Carlos Cheppi, and Ambassador Hector Timmernam. The Governor explained the importance of lemon exports for jobs in his province. Representative Peterson suggested that the Argentine lemon industry and government contact U.S. lemon producers through its Embassy in Washington. Furthermore, Representative Peterson highlighted the importance of working out trade issues of the kind in both directions based on scientific grounds.
