Ivanov to Visit Argentina in December

Buenos Aires sees Moscow as a possible mediator in the diplomatic crisis with Iran on the bombing of a Jewish Club
Bilateral ties between Argentina and Russia are increasing. Both countries used to enjoy a high-level  of political confidence and trading during the Soviet era, but in the nineties took separate ways. However, as the dreams of the nineties broke, both nations were brought back to the reality of their unstable economies and recurrent debt crisis. Since then, reconstruction began step by step. Similar positions in crucial global affairs, as the war on Iraq and Afghanistan, returned the good political mood, unless the increasing of trading is still a pending issue.

Russia and Argentina cooperate in many fields, as nuclear development, cultural exchange, space issues and economics. Also, both countries are looking for a democratic restructuring of the UN Security Council, as well as the organization in general, as share mutual interests in Middle East.

In order to improve cooperation, Argentine deputy Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana visited Moscow last week, where Igor Ivanov received him. Argentine sources reported that the meeting was scheduled as part of the annually held consultations both countries have arranged to discuss global affairs. They also exchanged ideas in view of Ivanov's visit to Buenos Aires of December, as part of his tour of South America.

At Morossov Palace, Taiana met Russian Foreign Affairs' deputy ministers Yuri V. Fedotov and Sergei Ivanovich Kislyak. During the meeting, diplomats discussed ways to improve ties between Moscow and the Mercosur block, whose members -Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia- are also part of the Rio Group, with other South American nations.

Russia "could mediate with Iran"

As already reported by PRAVDA.Ru, tensions between Argentina and Iran have increased since the former Iranian ambassador to Buenos Aires, Soleimanpour was arrested in London. Argentina's courts say Soleimanpour was behind the blowing of a Jewish club in Buenos Aires in 1994. The terrorist attack left 85 killed and the investigation did not give positive results until today.

Argentina's position is to not interfere in court's actions, but Iran says the government is behind the accusation. As such, by the end of August Iran broke off diplomatic ties with the South American nation, as threatened with retaliations.

First level sources at Argentina's Foreign Ministry, told PRAVDA.Ru that Buenos Aires would be interested in Russia to mediate between both countries, "taking into account Moscow's friendship with both Iran and Argentina.”