As relations with Latin America are returning to the EU agenda and the economic cooperation is edging closer to a new EU-Mercosur trade deal, Romania would certainly benefit from deepening connections with a market with an enormous economic potential. I had the pleasure of being part of the Romanian President's delegationin the official visits to Federative Republic of Brazil, Republic of Chile and Republic of Argentina.

The interest in cooperation included, along with the specific areas of current bilateral commercial relations, new areas, such as agriculture, innovation and digitalization, the climate change and green transition, education, and culture. 

I was glad to note, during the discussions of President Iohannis with President Luiz Lula da Silva, an increased interest for encouraging the business environment to identify and start joint projects, as well as for the stimulation of mutual investments.

A similar interest for trade and investments was present also during the discussions between the President of Romania and the President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric, and on the last official visit in the region, the President of the Republic of Argentina, Alberto Fernández.

I have discussed with Victoria Tolosa Paz, the Minister of Social Development in Argentina, the post-pandemic agenda of economic and social policies in the Latin America’s economies, in relation with Romania and EU’s priorities. The competitive advantages of Argentinian economy on European markets deserve to be developed.

The energy crises and economic recovery are common challenges, and current hyperinflation in Argentina is the most obvious lesson on crucial importance of sustainable economic policies.

Political cooperation and trade have no limits and the global context seems to require a redrawing of the world's commercial map. So that, Romania must be a proactive economic actor in order to benefit more from the advantages of this process.