Alberto Fernández asks Joe Biden for IMF support in White House meeting

President Alberto Fernández was received this Wednesday afternoon at the White House in Washington by his US counterpart, Joe Biden, for a meeting that also included talks attended by Economy Minister Sergio Massa and Security Ministry Aníbal Fernández.

At 2.40pm, Alberto Fernández arrived at the White House, where he signed the visitors' book. Minutes later, he was received by Joe Biden in the West Wing. During the joint press statement, Fernández once again condemned the war  in Ukraine unleashed by Russia and asked that the United States continue supporting Argentina before international lending agencies such as the International Monetary Fund.

Following behind the president, and on foot, entered the official entourage headed by Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero. Also in attendance were Economy Minister Sergio Massa,  Security Minister Aníbal Fernández, Secretary General to the Presidency, Julio Vitobello, Presidential Spokesperson Gabriela Cerruti and Argentina’s Ambassador to the United States, Jorge Argüello.

Inside the Oval Room, during the joint remarks, Argentina’s head of state declared: "We see the serious problem created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We join the United Nations in condemning this invasion," said Fernández. Minutes earlier, Biden had thanked him for Argentina's position on the crisis.

Fernández continued: "The war has caused immeasurable damage to the world’s economy. We have to work hard together for the war to end and for the world’s economy to recover.”

He also highlighted that the US government sees the path of democracy and respect for human rights.

The president then stated that "concern about climate change is also a common position” for the two nations. “Argentina is suffering its worst drought since 1929,” he continued. “This has greatly complicated our economy and we are raising this new reality with the lending agencies.”

In this sense, Fernández asked Biden to continue to supporting Argentina "as they have done up to now". The president then thanked Biden's government for its support in the US$44.5-billion debt agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

"Nothing is beyond our reach if we work together," remarked Biden.