Joint Declaration: 14th European Union–Argentina Joint Committee

On 2 June 2026, the Fourteenth Joint Committee between the Argentine Republic and the European Union was held in Buenos Aires, pursuant to the provisions of the 1990 Framework Agreement for Trade and Economic Cooperation. The Argentine delegation was headed by the Undersecretary for Foreign Policy, Juan Manuel Navarro, while the EU delegation was led by Pelayo Castro, Deputy Managing Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service.

The meeting took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere, enabling discussion of a broad agenda of issues of common interest. Both parties underscored the importance of being able to hold a new meeting of the Joint Committee, with the presence of Mr. Pelayo Castro and his team. This allowed for a substantive exchange on the main issues of the bilateral agenda and made it possible to identify the activities and initiatives that will guide joint work during the current year.
The exchange reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship, its challenges, and the opportunities available to continue deepening cooperation between the parties. In this regard, the parties highlighted the recent high-level meetings and visits between Argentina and the European Union, considering them a further step toward consolidating dialogue, seeking areas of convergence, and maintaining the commitment to continue strengthening the bilateral relationship as reliable partners.

During the Joint Committee, the parties discussed the challenges facing the multilateral system and reaffirmed their commitment to the preservation and promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for the rules of international law. At the multilateral level, they reiterated their support for a rules-based international order and for an effective multilateral system. The parties also addressed the need for the United Nations to strengthen its capacity for action, focus, and relevance in an international environment that requires concrete responses and leadership; in this context, they exchanged views on the upcoming election of the Secretary-General.
The Joint Committee addressed various international policy issues of common interest. With regard to the war of aggression against Ukraine, both parties reaffirmed their strong support for that country and their commitment to respect for international law, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, also highlighting the convergence of their positions through support for the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The parties agreed to hold the next EU-Argentina local dialogue on human rights in September 2026.

Both parties confirmed their commitment to bi-regional cooperation and reaffirmed their willingness to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between the two regions on the basis of shared values and interests.

The parties agreed on the importance of continuing to deepen cooperation in the fields of defence and international security. They also highlighted the value of strengthening channels for dialogue and cooperation on global security and defence issues. The EU informed Argentina of the decision by the Council of the European Union authorising the opening of negotiations for a Framework Participation Agreement establishing a framework for Argentina's participation in EU crisis management missions and operations.

The Joint Committee reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to combating transnational organised crime, highlighting the importance of strengthening international cooperation through Argentina's participation in European mechanisms such as Eurofront, Europol, Eurojust and EL PAcCTO, as well as through bi-regional dialogue with the European Union via CLASI.

In the area of judicial cooperation, note was taken of progress in discussions concerning an agreement between Argentina and Eurojust. The parties also highlighted the convergence of standards, particularly in the area of data protection, which has enabled Argentina to be recognised as an adequate country for international data transfers, thereby facilitating bilateral economic and commercial exchanges.

With regard to the World Drug Problem, the parties agreed to consolidate and intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking and address the security and health challenges related to the trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs that affect their countries. They reaffirmed their willingness to increase operational and technical cooperation between the parties in order to effectively address and counter the challenges associated with this issue.

As a concrete example of this commitment in the bilateral framework, the meeting recalled the signing of cooperation agreements between the Secretariat for Comprehensive Drug Policies of the Argentine Nation (SEDRONAR) and counterpart institutions in EU Member States.

The European Union and Argentina committed to deepening their cooperation in the space sector at both the multilateral and bilateral levels, in particular through strengthening ties between the National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE) and the relevant European institutions. They also highlighted the existing potential to expand collaboration in areas related to access to and use of satellite data, the development of applications and technical capabilities, and possible avenues of cooperation in the field of satellite navigation.

The parties also agreed on the desirability of continuing to explore the updating of the 1990 Framework Agreement for Trade and Economic Cooperation so that it may reflect the evolution and diversification of the bilateral relationship between Argentina and the European Union and address issues of common interest not covered by the MERCOSUR-European Union Agreement.
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the increase in bilateral trade (amounting to USD 1.7 billion in 2025), highlighting its potential, and expressed their willingness to hold a meeting of the Economic Chapter of the Joint Committee during the second half of the year. They also examined opportunities to increase and deepen investment in sectors such as energy, mining, agribusiness, and knowledge-based services, among others.

The parties welcomed the provisional application of the MERCOSUR-European Union Agreement as of 1 May 2026. Both sides emphasised the historic significance of this milestone and the important opportunities the agreement offers for trade and investment between the two blocs.
The European authorities highlighted the importance of Argentina's immediate promulgation of the Agreement as the first country in the bloc to do so, and of its determined political efforts, together with the other MERCOSUR members and the European Commission, to advance the provisional application of the Agreement. They also expressed appreciation for Argentina's contribution throughout that process and in its implementation.

Nevertheless, Argentina expressed concern regarding certain measures adopted or under discussion by the European Union that could affect the effective access of its exports to that market. The parties will address these issues, inter alia, within the framework of the new institutional architecture of the Agreement, with a view to effectively dealing with matters affecting trade flows.
The parties also welcomed the strategic relationship between them in the fields of energy and raw materials, based on the memoranda of understanding signed in 2023. They agreed to continue technical exchanges and further deepen cooperation in both areas.

The parties welcomed the progress achieved in the implementation of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Argentina. This agenda has gradually taken shape through the identification and development of nearly twenty investment and financing projects in priority sectors, including initiatives involving the public sector-at the provincial level and in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires-as well as the private sector.

The parties also noted their willingness to schedule a new date, during the second half of 2026, for the Argentina-European Union Investment Forum, recognising the initiative as a platform for deepening the opportunities available to both partners following the entry into force of the MERCOSUR-European Union Agreement.

The Argentine Government welcomed the continuation of dialogue with the European Union regarding the Question of the Malvinas Islands. The European Union took note of Argentina's position, based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The breadth of the issues addressed and the quality of the exchanges held during the session reflected the strength and dynamism of the bilateral relationship, as well as its significant potential for further deepening in the years ahead. Both parties agreed to hold the next meeting in 2028, in Brussels.