President Javier Milei will start a 10-day international tour on June 5, meeting with various leaders including Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The tour, marking his longest since taking office, will focus on strengthening bilateral agreements and international ties, particularly with Europe and Israel, before his return on June 14.
President Javier Milei is set to kick off a significant foreign tour beginning Thursday, June 5, as confirmed by Argentina’s presidency this past Friday. This 10-day tour, deemed the longest of his presidency so far, includes notable meetings with Pope Leo XIV and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The first leg of Milei’s journey will take him to Rome.
On June 6, he’ll meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace. They are expected to sign an agreement between Argentina’s state energy company YPF and Italian multinational ENI, marking a friendly and potentially impactful cooperation. Milei has previously encouraged Italy to join ranks with Argentina to form an independent multilateral organization.
The following day, he will have an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. This newly appointed pontiff, known for his missionary work in Peru, has shown a keen interest in Latin America, making this meeting particularly significant for Milei.
After his time in Italy, Milei will proceed to Spain. Despite this stop, he is not expected to interact with officials from the Spanish government under Pedro Sánchez, due to their rocky relationship. Instead, Amit his journey, there will be a closing speech at the Madrid Economic Forum.
Next, Milei will head to Nice, where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 9. The two leaders have had frequent discussions since Milei’s inauguration in December 2023, including their last meeting during the G20 summit in Brazil.
The highlight of Milei’s tour may be his upcoming visit to Israel, marking only his second time there since taking office. After arriving on June 9, he will meet with President Isaac Herzog and Netanyahu, and plans to visit the holiest site for Jews, the Wailing Wall, during his stay.
On June 11, Milei will be awarded the prestigious Genesis Prize, often referred to as the “Jewish Nobel,” and will address the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel, Axel Wahnish, mentioned that an announcement will be made regarding a new air route connecting Buenos Aires with Tel Aviv during Milei’s visit. “It is a flight that is not a technical detail. For me it is the symbolic demonstration of the union between the two peoples,” he told Radio Mitre.
Additionally, Milei intends to sign a “memorandum for democracy and freedom” in Israel, as per Wahnish’s comments. He also plans to meet with families of those kidnapped by Hamas, showcasing a commitment to solidarity and dialogue amidst ongoing tensions. The President is set to return to Buenos Aires on June 14, after another brief stop in Spain.
In summary, President Javier Milei’s upcoming 10-day international tour will feature crucial meetings with key European and Middle Eastern leaders, including Pope Leo XIV and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This tour marks an important series of engagements, highlighting Argentina’s strategic partnerships abroad, particularly with Italy, France, and Israel. The visit seems poised to strengthen international ties and demonstrate support for Israel amidst complex regional issues before his return to Buenos Aires.
Original Source: batimes.com.ar
