Argentina has requested to join Nato as a “global partner” despite its ongoing sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands.
Javier Milei, the country’s President, is hoping that the membership will boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.
However, Milei is still steadfast in his pursuit of gaining the Falkland Islands, recently laying out a “roadmap” of how he will ensure the South Atlantic islands are returned to the Argentine administration before the end of his tenure in office.
In January, Milei and the UK Foreign Secretary discussed the contentious issue during a meeting, in which they said “they would agree to disagree, and do so politely,” according to the Foreign Office.
Today, Defence Minister Luis Alfonso Petri met with Deputy Secretary General of Nato Mircea Geoana in Brussels to submit the formal request.
Petri wrote online: “I met with Deputy Secretary General of Nato Geoana. I transmitted a letter of intent to him, which contains a request from Argentina to become a global partner of this organisation.”
Geoana said he welcomed the South American country’s bid to become an accredited partner in the military alliance – a country considered an “ally” but not in Nato's geographical area and therefore not required to take part in collective action.
The military alliance’s membership comprises only of European countries, Turkey, Canada, and the United States.
Geoana said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Petri to NATO Headquarters.
“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.”
All 32 members must approve the request in order for Argentina to become a “global partner” – Columbia is the only South American country to have been granted this status.
More to follow...
