President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and US President Barack Obama agreed to work upon trade differences, "which in no way conform are the central aspects of the bilateral relationship" as they met in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia as they take part of the 6th Summit of the Americas.
Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro also said that both Heads of State agreed on the fact that the trade relation must be handled by experts and that any existing differences will be worked upon.
“Even if differences may exist, they in no way will be the centre of the bilateral relationship. Other matters, including international terrorism, scientific endeavors and the environment are more important,” the government officials assured.
The meeting. which was requested last Thursday by US officials, was attended by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Dan Restrepo.
Fernández de Kirchner arrived to Cartagena at 9.30 pm (local time), 11.30 pm in Argentina, and spoke briefly to the Argentine press before entering the hotel where she is staying.
The Argentine President stated that she felt “very happy to be in Colombia, because it brings me many happy memories,” while highlighting the efforts ex-president Néstor Kirchner made in order to obtain peace between Colombia and Venezuela.
Obama also arrived in Cartagena yesterday afternoon to the Rafael Nuñez international airport.
With the arrival of the 33 heads of state from the region, Colombian officials were providing a massive security operative involving more than 18 thousand police for the summit.
