President Javier Milei will travel to Spain and Israel this month to sign a security collaboration memorandum with Prime Minister Netanyahu. His itinerary includes a brief visit to Chile for a conference. Milei’s focus is on enhancing defense cooperation between Argentina and Israel, bolstered by recent events involving Israeli-Argentine citizens. He also plans to address local lawmakers and participate in diplomatic discussions in both nations.
President Javier Milei is set to embark on a diplomatic mission this month, traveling to Spain and Israel, with the aim of signing a memorandum on security and defense collaboration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, there are plans for a brief visit to Santiago de Chile on March 11 for a conference organized by Vinci Compass, a leading provider of alternative investments in Latin America.
Milei will depart Buenos Aires on March 20 and reach Madrid on March 21. Following his stay in Spain, he will arrive in Israel on March 23, where he plans to remain for at least four days. While in Madrid, he is expected to receive an award from the Fundación de los Viernes, which promotes liberal thinking and democracy. Notably, Milei will not engage with the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, due to their strained relationship.
The heart of Milei’s trip will be Israel, where he is scheduled to meet Netanyahu. His journey will be accompanied by his sister, Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei, and Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein. This marks Milei’s second visit to Israel since taking office in December 2023, following his previous trip in February 2024, which included meetings with Netanyahu and a poignant visit to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
Argentina aims to formalize a “Memorandum of Freedom and Democracy” focused on security cooperation against terrorism, emphasizing the strengthened relations between the two countries since Milei’s election. Argentine Ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Axel Wahnish, expressed optimism about advancing collaboration in innovation, technology, defense, and security. Furthermore, during the recent state of the nation address, Milei reaffirmed his commitment to combating terrorism and developing a national security law to empower intelligence and military capabilities.
Milei also declared two days of mourning after the tragic deaths of Israeli-Argentine children Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were taken hostage by Hamas militants. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Milei for his steadfast leadership during this difficult period. As part of his diplomatic agenda, Milei has vowed to relocate Argentina’s Embassy to Jerusalem, though this commitment has yet to be realized, while Wahnish has established a diplomatic residence in Jerusalem.
In conclusion, President Javier Milei’s upcoming visits to Spain and Israel underscore his administration’s commitment to strengthening international collaborations, particularly in security and defense. With plans to sign significant agreements amid a backdrop of renewed diplomatic ties, these visits are poised to enhance Argentina’s global standing. Furthermore, his declarations regarding national security convey a serious approach to combating terrorism, reiterating Argentina’s solidarity with Israel during times of crisis.
Original Source: batimes.com.ar
