Argentina and the European Union (EU) develop their bilateral relations under the Framework Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 1990, which establishes the bases for cooperation in foreign trade, the economy, agriculture and industry.

Under this framework agreement, specific cooperation agreements have been reached concerning fishing (1993), the peaceful use of nuclear energy (1997) and concerning scientific and technological cooperation (1999), all of which have guided bilateral relations.

Also, the Joint Commission responsible for overseeing the agreement and promoting the relationship has encouraged dialogue regarding sectoral policies, which have been focused on the issue of regional development and international cooperation, among other subjects.

As a member country of the Mercosur trading block, bilateral relations between Argentina and the EU are also subject to the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur of 1995, which promotes the growth and diversification of trade and lays foundations for the future creation of an interregional political and economic association based on three core issues:

• Strengthening political dialogue,
• Liberalising trade in a progressive and reciprocal manner, and
• Advancing regional cooperation.

The EU has a thriving trade relationship with Argentina, with trade that exceeded €17.17 billion in 2015.

Below are some figures that demonstrate this relationship:

• The EU is Argentina’s second largest trading partner, accounting for 15.6 % of its total trade in 2015, second only to Brazil.
• In 2015, Argentina exported mainly agricultural products (77.3 %) and manufactured products (14.3 %) to the EU.
• The EU mainly exported manufactured goods to Argentina, such as machinery and transportation equipment (46.1 %) and chemicals (23.2 %).
• The export of services to Argentina has grown in recent years, from €3 billion in 2010 to €4.1 billion in 2014.

Argentina is also an important destination for investments by European companies. Investment stock from the EU exceeded €35.2 billion in 2014. In addition, 21 member states have signed agreements on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments with Argentina.

For more information:

• Binational Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Eurochamber
• Prelisting system by country
• Public Procurement in Argentina (federal government, Provinces and municipalities)

The close cultural ties which, due to historical reasons, member states of the EU have with the Argentine Republic, are embodied in a policy of active cultural promotion that helps to consolidate cultural and trade relations between European industry and Argentina.

These policies include:

• Promoting academic relations between higher education institutions, through the Erasmus+ programme and presenting universities at EuroPosgrados fairs.
• Promoting the European film industry, through Eurocine European Film Festivals.
• A varied cultural programme presented by the cultural offices of the various embassies and by several organisations:
  • The Goethe Institute
  • The Alliance Française
  • The Dante Alighieri Society
  • Centro Cultural de España
  • The British Council