Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană met Argentine Defence Minister Luis Petri at NATO Headquarters on Thursday for talks on working toward a partnership between the Alliance and Argentina.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Petri to NATO Headquarters,” said Mr Geoană.
“Argentina plays an important role in Latin America, and I welcome today’s request to explore becoming a NATO partner. NATO works with a range of countries around the world to promote peace and stability. Closer political and practical cooperation could benefit us both.”
The two leaders exchanged views on European and Latin American security challenges. The Deputy Secretary General welcomed Argentina’s role in supporting Ukraine with lifesaving humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and support for refugees.
NATO’s political dialogue with Argentina began in the early 1990s. Buenos Aires later contributed to NATO’s peace support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in Kosovo. Colombia is currently NATO’s only partner country in Latin America.
Any decision on a formal partnership would require consensus by all 32 Allies.
I can’t say I saw this coming.
Perhaps they could station troops on the Falklands to help us out??
Oh hang on, they already tried that😂
Joking aside, they are steering in the right democratic direction again and anything that helps keep them on the right course can only be a good thing.
They wish to keep the Falklands discussion open, obviously they do, I’m not sure how many times you can say ” it’s up to the Falkland Islanders” and they say no thank you…
Providing it’s a civilised conversation regarding a normalised relationship and increased trade is fostered, then it’s all good 👍
Let’s put it this way on balance I think it’s better to have both Greece and Turkey in NATO than only the former. Whatever the sabre rattling it tends to keep matters short of outright conflict far more often than not and a new forum for dialogue to deconflict matters. Argentina is seeing South American countries cosying up to China and by association Russia and other suspect regimes, even Iran is trying to gain influence so from its own point of view becoming closer to NATO makes a lot of sense for its own security. So on balance more good… Read more »
That’s a very good point if you can two nations that have almost go to war as much as turkey and Greece you can make anything work….
Although it’s worth noting Argentina can never be a NATO member without a complete rewrite of the treaty….as article six covers only North America, Europe, turkey and islands in the Atlantic north of the Tropic of Cancer….
So unless there is a complete rewrite ( which would end up covering the Falklands and UK south Atlantic territories ) it can only ever be an associate.
Excellent point. Perhaps it is time to re-write the whole thing making it worldwide and including Austrailia et al. It would save a lot of time. Democracy vs The Borg. Had to happen.
Quite possibly it may need a rewrite..but that would need a unanimous vote and there is no way a lot of the nations would support it ( Hungary, Turkey and likely Germany for differing reasons)…the U.S. and NATO are already in a bit of quandary as Hawaiian territory is excluded from NATO article 6 and so article 5 ( article 6 provides the geographical context to article 5 ) but it’s covered by article 4 ( as is Guam). Considering that Hawaii is the fundamentally strategically important third chain island and Guam the same for the second chain there is… Read more »
As happened with Sweden joining initial objections evaporated probably because there is a little fear that a Global Treaty Organisation (GTO) might be set up to replace NATO and any problem child might not get an invite.😀
I would say Hawaii is already covered, its a US state and its American, no different to Alaska which also has pacific coast. Hawaii is politically part of North America not an overseas territory. Its a technicality used by us Europeans, NATO was formed before Hawaii became a US state, thats the reason not because it not American or not part of America. US would absolutely invoke article 5 if Hawaii was attacked. We’ve just added Sweden and Finland to NATO to enhance protection of Europe so it seems rather convinient and one sided for European politicians not to include… Read more »
Interestingly Hawaii is not covered. As article 6 is very much bound by geography and its specific around the North American continent…there are around three occasions where NATO nations have been involved in some form or armed conflict outside of the geographical area defined in article five…and indeed not even the U.S. may want it changed as for example it would bind them into mutually supporting the defence of a number of French islands…and it’s all a bit controversial to be honest.. The official Uk government line from a parliamentary question on the subject ( not NATO line) is: Article… Read more »
Yes, I’ve read articles on this before, and as the state department points out, it’s, as per the legal wording not covered. The main reason is because Hawaii became a state after the agreement was created had Hawaii been a state at its inception it would be included. But as I said its a technicality and of no logic, if part of North Mexico decided to separate for Mexico and then become US state it would be covered. I doubt Europe will come to it’s aid but we have political class in this country who have openly said they see… Read more »
Yes it’s a worry, anything that shows cracks in western resolve is not great, because if china thinks it can win it will go for it…Taiwan is just that totemic to the Chinese communist party. The problem for Europe is that any China U.S. war is probably going to be a long one..both nations are so large, have such resources and are so far apart that once they start they will probably be tearing at each other for years…the reality of that is they are going to go for each others access to markets and resources as well as political… Read more »
If you accept that the continental US is in the ‘North Atlantic’ then Mexico is too.
hmmm unsure about NATO going to south america. understood we don’t like china moving in. we should support democracies where we can but not prop up anything too failing or corrupt.
NATO is very picky about who it allows in. It is plausable that this might just provide the incentive required for certain countries to get their act together. Democracy spreading across central & south America would probably go down well in the US as it might just undermine the reasons for migration.
Well we all know why they are doing this….they have been playing the long game. Any support from NATO in their eyes gives them legitimacy, and support from US doesn’t help but our so called cousins would rather chase the dollar and considers south America as part of its political and economic empire than stop this. I am all for having a better relationship with Argentina but they need to grow up and accept the reality on the ground with the islanders, and end there years long campaign of economic blockade and childish rhetoric. This sets a dangerous precedent and… Read more »
True post 🍺
Agree entirely
lol. Either a back door to station troops again or consolation prize lol
True. I suspect most people are surprised by this. Personally I thought they would go for an EU of South America as a first move. A NATO of South America might well follow that. Perhaps they are more worried about their security than we thought.
It’s fair to say Argentinian has become profoundly concerned with the rise of china..it’s the reason for the sudden political shift and loss of power of the Peronists ( who are now seen as chinas stooges )…Argentina is looking at its neighbours and seeing them all coming under the sway of china.
BRICS, China AND Russia
Indeed.. but of those I put china as first amongst not so equals
“We tried force, that failed. Now lets try subversive methods”.
Is this away to get into the Falklands 🤔 because were all in the same club ? I know we all move on but sorry guys it’s a NO from me .
There’s a bigger game in play guys, it’s about countering Chinese influence, the Falklands are irrelevant here. That question is resolved and the door firmly shut for good.
I do think that bringing Argentina into the partnership programme helps to stabilise that country and steer it away from it’s past extreme views….
Agreed. South America is for the most part overlooked by the west. Brazil is an example of a big South American state cozy with BRICs
Brazil is one of the BRICs.
cozy and in bed with 🙂
And the UK has sold Brazil quite a few ex-RN vessels, like the OPVs and ex-HMS Ocean so you’d hope the UK still has some ongoing relationship with Brazil.
Spot on Mickey and John, fact is the only likely way in any foreseeable future that Argentina could take the Falklands is if it has China covering (and thus Russia) its ass, a bit like the only way the US won the revolutionary war was because France, Spain and the Netherlands all declared war on Britain. Argentina within the club is far better than seeing it make advances (as it partly it once was) to a conglomerate of undemocratic Nations that threatens the whole West. That’s where the threat to the US comes but it has to realise only really… Read more »
I’m not sure that they would think Russia covering anything with its comedy weapons systems would factor in……
We are about to see what happens when the US taps go from shut to open in Ukraine with air cover and a load more European missiles too. It will be instructive what happens next.
B in BRICS is Brasil…
What you say John probably right mate , what would bug me if Argentine did get in NATO and previous UK governments been what their are all about saving money could we let the Argentina put troops on Falkland islands to Defend them and pull away our garrison Aircraft and patrol ship ? If so , then Argentina would see themselves has owns ,and no doubt be laughing at us behind our back NATO would just be a face for them .👍
Now seriously do you think that the islanders would EVER agree to that?
To be honest Jacko no ,but you do know what our UK governments are like 🍺🇬🇧
Don’t forget they are BOT so if push came to shove they can tell the govt here to stick it where the sun don’t shine😀they only have to have a vote to go independent.unlikely i know,but??
🍺 🇬🇧
90%, this is a good thing. NATO partnership isn’t the same as NATO membership. But keeping Beijing’s from meddling with the South Atlantic is very important. Lets face it Moscow & Beijing have already made in-rounds in this area on the other side of the ocean.
BRICS starts with a B…
Wouldn’t China just love to assist in developing Argentinian oil fields if it could and other minerals and infrastructure and link it up with other countries it has influence with? Further access to the Antarctic too. And across the Atlantic, there’s the creeping China influence in Africa as well as Russia. The Falklands are a bit of a “Gibraltar” or ‘Cyprus” of the South Atlantic, in a very useful location.
“Gibraltar” or ‘Cyprus” Spot on, the Falklands and Mount Pleasant are going to be increasingly strategic to the West, with the steady expansion of Chinese interests in South America and Africa. I wouldn’t be surprised if facilities of some sort are eventually built in South Georgia too as the Chinese start edging towards Antarctica for resources as this century moves on. I can sadly see international agreements on Antarctica breaking down in the years ahead. The US really does appear to have had it’s day, it’s influence in the world is steadily deminishing as they have utterly failed to grasp… Read more »
Russia is building an African army, I suspect in an attempt to control more of the worlds uranium supply amongst other things
Argentina’s new President is making a determined effort to steer his country away from its ties with China that were fostered by his Peronista predecessors and towards the US and the West. It will stick in the craws of all of the Trump haters on this platform, but he was inspired by Donald Trump to run for the presidency and made it a point very shortly after his inauguration to meet Trump in the US and address a conservative conference. In addition, he is faced with a massive arms build-up by Brazil, led by its far-left President, who has moved… Read more »
“any concerns the UK may have about the Falklands, much, much over-rated, are of very little importance.” Considering you are not a Brit, that is very very easy for you to say. I agree with your overall comment and the need to steer Argentina into the wests camp, but please remember some here might have fought in the S Atlantic in 82 or had family members there, even killed. So the subject might sensitive, and is certainly emotive for us, including me. I was 10 at the time and starting my interest in all things British military so followed events… Read more »
Yup…. Too many people, Humans, died on both sides, as always, War of any kind is a waste of lives and in this particular case, should have been avoided/prevented. There is nothing nice about being blown up, burnt, shot or drowned for no real reason other than one persons Ego.
Well said. And then there’s the oil potential… But better get them in than keep them out. We have the same situation with Spain over Gibraltar… it may be rather longer ago that people died over it but the principle is the same. And it’s key to Antarctica, as any industrialisation there would be catastrophic to the whole world, not just penguins. Though penguins would be bad enough.
Agree on Penguins, and all wildlife. It must never ever happen.
Maybe the penguins can form a partnership with NATO, that might help
Very well put DM 🍺 🇬🇧
Spot on👍
I think we need to support Milei, he’s a libertarian and they don’t beleive in war. If he turns Argentina around and the Falkland islanders see Argentina as better future than the UK they can have a refendum and vote accordingly, we can’t use self determination only when it suits us. That may not be popular with some people here in the UK but thats freedom and choice. Something that’s rapidly being revoked here in the UK!! The reality is Argentina will not be in a position to covince the Falkland Islanders for a long time. Milei has a lot… Read more »
Yep If Milei can face down the Peronists that still exert control over parts of the establishment then it could become a strong example of how to turn an indebited country around. He has a massive uphill battle. Although I don’t agree with everything Milei says he’s a libertarian, so he’s pro freedom, pro choice and anti war. I don’t really like using the left and right to describe politics, its being deliberately misused. He’s described as far right, which of course is to deliberately discredit him because it links him to fascism, and this is where there loads of… Read more »
If Argentina join NATO they’d be no different to Spain and Gibraltar, have to accept they need to bide their time until a UK government decides diplomatic harmony is more important (how many close shaves have we had with Gibraltar, Tony Blair was close but dare not, it’s been on the agenda with this Tory government as well).
Joining NATO and being a partner are very different.
Yes point accepted, bad use of words
I agree about certain politicians, Gib is of strategic importance much the same way the SBAs in Cyprus are.
Blair always putting other countries first and licking up to them , Plus all for selling British company’s off anything for is PR book 🙄
Not for me. I wouldn’t want to see a single British soldier die defending Argentina.
They wouldn’t Keith, Argentina is simply joining the NATO partnership for peace, not the alliance itself.
It’s all good and helps to foster friendly and stable relationships with the West in the longer term.
Anything that stops Argentina from back peddling is good.
The UK and Argentina will always disagree regarding the Falklands, that can’t be helped, but we can work together for a better future for all.
I think this is a good thing if it prevents any further possibility of conflict over the Falklands.
There won’t be, Argentina isn’t capable of it, it’s effectively disarmed.
Maybe Argentina should look to form SATO. Or NATO should rename itself as ATO. And if Australia wants to join it should be TO. Or even just O. Maybe the Organisation Formerly Known as NATO; OFKNATO.
How about NOT-BRICS ?
How about stickle bricks, they fit together well you see…..
Am sure Prince would have approved 😋
What happens if two NATO countries attack each other? Do we have to send troops to both sides?
what do you think ?
Playground rules apply, basically the defence attachés of all members line up against the wall and the attacked member gets to pick first until there are two teams.
Then it’s all settled with a NATO attaché football match, with braided officer caps for goal posts….
The Swiss attaché invited as the referee….
I think it’s a good move since their new president came in they have moved away from BRICS much to the disappointment to China, who reckon they are going to sue Argentina don,t know how that works, but it’s probably why the sale of the F 16 was approved to keep Argentina onside or to show faith..How this will play out with regards to the Falklands will probably be interesting to watch
Exactly this.
And that had to do this to avoid…..unaccountable delays in delivery……whilst the paper clip audit……
The more the merrier
Happy to have a peaceful Argentina as our partners but they really need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror.
The Falklands are a British overseas territory. Have been longer than Argentina has existed as a country.
Once they stop their claims to the land then yes happy to return to friendly relations.
We should veto any discussion of membership unless Argentina pays reparations, issues an official apology and drops its claim on the Falklands. Can you really imagine coming to Argentina’s aid and spilling British blood whilst they still eye up the islands?
Kinda like how Spain is expected to come to the UK’s aid with Gibraltar on the books??
When was the last time Spain attacked British forces? It’s not really a fair comparison.
Gibraltar is British, as are the Falklands. If the islanders/Gibraltans decide to change that, then you can have the discussion. Until then, they are British.