The Queen of Denmark arrives in Argentina: what is the purpose and agenda of the visit

Margarita II will meet Macri and open a CCK business forum on Tuesday; The Crown Prince and representatives of 30 companies are part of the delegation

When the

Queen Margaret II

to land today in Buenos Aires, will begin
the first state visit to this country by a monarch from Denmark, "the least corrupt country in the world", with an inflation of 1.4% and an unemployment rate of 5%. He arrives with a three-day agenda that will include a meeting with the President

Mauricio Macri,

a business forum with a trade delegation that seeks to conclude agreements in the country and a visit to Tandil.

The trip will not only be historic for bilateral relations. Also for Margarita II, aged 78 and almost half a century on the throne: this will be her first state visit with her eldest son, Federico, the crown prince. Environment and Agriculture Ministers Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen of the center-right government, which will be subject to elections this year, such as Macri, will also be present. The delegation is complemented by representatives from 30 companies in the renewable energy, agriculture and health sectors.

"I'm looking forward to going to Argentina again," the queen told the Argentinian media last month, including:
THE NATION-. She will return 53 years after her trip to the country as Crown Princess, when she will meet the then president, Arturo Illia, and went to Tandil, Necochea and Tres Arroyos, where resides an important community Danish, descendants of immigrants of the late nineteenth century. .

"The focal point of the visit is investment, and in Denmark they consider that Argentina is a country where the business climate is becoming more and more conducive," said the ambbadador to Denmark, Conrado. Solari Yrigoyen, at LA NACION.

With an upward trend, Argentina exported goods to Denmark for $ 272 million and bought Danish goods for $ 304 million in 2018, according to the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign. In addition, more than 30 Danish companies are present in the country, such as Novo Nordisk (pharmaceutical industry), Maersk (logistics) and Velux (sustainable lighting).

According to the latest available data, in 2017, more than half of Argentina's imports are related to the health sector, while Denmark sells mainly food products. That year, Danish direct investment in the country amounted to more than $ 166 million, while Argentine companies invested about $ 30 million in the Scandinavian country.

Energy, food and health

The
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained to the business delegation that "the Argentine government's reforms feed the international interest for new opportunities in trade and investment" and that "although Argentina is in recession, it is possible that it will reverse in 2019. " The "cost of participation" for the companies amounted to 20,000 kronor (about $ 3,000), flights and stays not included.

"Entrepreneurs are aware of the situation in Argentina, but they have a long-term commitment," said Anders Skovso Clausen, deputy chef de mission at the Danish Embbady in the country, who stressed that the goal of this trip is to connect "the capabilities of Danish companies and the needs of Argentina".

These "needs" are mainly related to sustainability, one of the great strengths of the bilateral relationship, starting from
Renovar Plan, which aims for 20% of energy production in Argentina to be renewable by 2025, and the National Water Plan, which promotes access to water and sanitation. 39, drinking water and better management of water resources. Agreements related to these areas should be signed during the visit.

Faced with these challenges, Denmark is looking to export its "green" country model, with a growing share of wind energy in the supply of electricity (today it is 43% and is 100% in 2030 ) and a decrease of 40%. water consumption in four decades. The ultimate goal: to be a carbon neutral country without fossil fuels by 2050.

"We hope that this visit will increase the knowledge of the solutions and the
know how Danish for future badociations, which contribute to the green transition in Argentina and Denmark, "he said.
THE NATION Charlotte Gjedde, State of Green, the public-private partnership that brings together the energy sector in the Nordic country.

Sustainable agriculture will be the other major focus of the trade mission. Danish companies are looking to offer technologies to improve efficiency throughout the value chain, to produce more food products with less pollution and more savings. water and energy.

"We are a small country of 5.5 million people, nothing to do with Argentina, and yet we have common problems, such as food." It's hard to tell anyone. one who produces ten times more than we can teach him something, but I think there are areas in which one can always be better, "said the Danish Minister of the Environment.

A small group of health sector entrepreneurs will also visit Argentina to strengthen ties.

L & # 39; s calendar

The queen will arrive today after a stopover in Frankfurt and tomorrow her son will be added for the most institutional day. They will meet with President Mauricio Macri and his wife, Juliana Awada, and will travel to Congress and the Supreme Court. Afterwards, the Queen will host a reception at the Yacht Club commercial delegation in Puerto Madero before the business forum on Tuesday at the CCK. Meetings are planned with YPF, Aysa and Mastellone.

In addition to several ministers of the national cabinet, the mayor of Buenos Aires will participate in activities,

Horacio Rodríguez Larreta,

Prince Frederick was a friend of his time at Harvard University more than 15 years ago. We expect that they have projects off the agenda, like last year, when the heir came to the Youth Olympic Games and that the leader of the city of Buenos Aires took him to the race course.

Outside the political and commercial spheres, the Queen – an art enthusiast – will visit the Teatro Colón and her son will travel to the Boca stadium for social integration projects supported by Denmark.

On Wednesday, the royal family will travel to Tandil, the birthplace of the president, to organize activities with the Danish community. Previously, Prince Federico will inaugurate a Pampa Energía wind farm in Bahía Blanca, with wind turbines built in the factory
inaugurated last November the Danish company Vestas in Campana with Newsan, with an investment of 22 million dollars.

Margarita II will remain a few days in Argentina before returning to Copenhagen. You will visit the north of the country, without an official agenda, before boarding again for a flight of more than 15 hours, with a stopover in Germany.

Day by day

Monday, March 18th

• 12 Offering to the statue of General San Martín
• 24:30. Meeting and lunch with Mauricio Macri and Juliana Awada
• 3:15 p.m. Congress visit
• 16 Visit to the Supreme Court
• 19 Reception for the commercial delegation to Yatch Club Argentino

Tuesday March 19th

• 10 Opening of the business seminar at the CCK
• 13.50. Visit to the park of memory
• 16 The queen visits the Teatro Colón
• 16 The Prince visits a football project at Club Atlético Boca Juniors
• 19.30. Gala Dinner at Alvear Palace

Wednesday March 20th

• 9:30. The prince inaugurates a wind farm in Bahía Blanca
• 10 The queen and the prince in Tandil: offering in the statue of Juan Fugl
• 10.35. Visit to the Danish Lutheran Church
• 11:15 Welcome from the mayor of Tandil in the municipality
• 13 Press conference of Queen Margaret
• 13.40. Reception for the Danish community