Bilateral Relations

Events

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE TOM SHANNON VISITS ARGENTINA
April 10-11, 2008

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Thomas Shannon Meets with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Thomas Shannon visited Argentina on April 10 and 11. Accompanied by Ambassador Wayne, Shannon met with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the first day of his visit.  "We will strengthen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries. U.S.-Argentine relations are excellent and important for our government." — Shannon later commented

On day two, Assistant Secretary Shannon and Ambassador Wayne met with Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, Vice Foreign Minister Victorio Taccetti and other key officials at the Palacio San Martín.  At the meeting, they agreed to a high-level meeting in June in Buenos Aires under the framework of a special process for regular high-level bilateral consultations.

Following up on President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s desire to pursue greater cooperation in the area of science and technology, Assistant Secretary Shannon and Ambassador Wayne also met with Minister of Science and Technology Lino Barañao in his office and exchanged ideas on promoting bilateral contacts in this important area.

“The area of science and technology offers great potential for cooperation that can be beneficial for both countries,” -- said Assistant Secretary Shannon.

Shannon and Ambassador Wayne also visited the National Library to see a photo exhibit by youngsters from PH-15, a project created in 2000 to help disadvantaged youth from a poor barrio called Ciudad Oculta (the hidden city) that receives financial support from the Inter-American Foundation (a U.S. government agency that provides grants for grassroots development projects). Assistant Secretary Shannon spoke with the young photographers from PH 15 and with a group of American university students working as volunteers in Argentina.   

“I am very impressed by the artistic work of these children who are capturing very important aspects of their daily lives and conveying the capacity to observe and grasp their reality. Seeing these pictures gives me great confidence in Argentine youth and their future,” -- said Assistant Secretary Shannon.

“I also told the American youngsters that their volunteer work is vital since it builds person-to-person ties that will be the foundation of long-lasting ties of friendship between the United States and Argentina,” -- added Shannon.