Ambassador Martinez Visits Neuquen

November 17, 2009

Governor Jorge Sapag, Ambassador Vilma Martínez and Mayor of Neuquén, Lic. Martín Farizano

On her first visit to Neuquen on November 17, Ambassador Vilma Martinez gave the province a donation of materials to help equip an emergency evacuation center. In a joint ceremony with Governor Jorge Sapag, Ambassador presented the donation to civil defense authorities. This donation consisted of tents, cots, blankets, folding tables, stoves, generators, and portable toilets. The supplies were provided by the Department of Defense through the U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Program of the Southern Command of the United States.
 
Governor Sapag highlighted the presence of the Ambassador in "this new era of relations between the United States and Latin America launched by the new president, Barack Obama," which implies the possibility of "a new step for connecting our countries as well as our local governments.”  Thankful for the donation, the Governor noted that "disasters are part of the history of mankind and it is important to mitigate their effects and to be prepared." He also assured her that the equipment will be available to other provinces and to Chile, if necessary.

"It's a great pleasure to contribute to this center to enable it to provide an effective response to people’s needs due to climate-related emergencies," remarked Ambassador Martinez at the donation ceremony.

After the ceremony, Ambassador Martinez met with the Governor and his team to have a working lunch. During the meeting, the Ambassador and the Governor talked about the projects that the province carried out recently and their priorities for the future. In addition, they addressed the global financial crisis and its local and national impact on the economic and political landscape.
   
"This second visit to a province of Argentina brings me closer to the work and the challenges of the Argentine people in different corners of this beautiful country. Neuquen has many things to see, and I am glad I have experienced at least a small portion of all that this province can offer, "said Ambassador Martinez at the end of the visit.