I recently visited the facilities at CAECOPAZ (Argentine Joint Peacekeeping Training Centre). This military centre of excellence trains members of the argentine Armed Forces for peacekeeping operations. It also welcomes students from other countries engaged in peacekeeping, frequently in joint operations with Argentina. CAECOPAZ also welcomes students from the UK, and both countries can be proud of their joint efforts to address the challenge of peacekeeping in conflict areas of the world.

Both countries are helping with the preparations for the Climate Change Summit to be held in Copenhagen in December. Lord Hunt, the UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change, visited Argentina on 5-6 October and held meetings with the Head of the Environment Department and the Foreign Minister. Climate change is a hard, difficult challenge, but it is vital to the future of our planet. Although I feel proud of the role my country is playing in these negotiations, it would be naive of me to say that the path will be easy.

The time we have until December is short and the need to reach an agreement on the subject is essential.    

Also in October, we are expecting a visit by Sir Andrew Cahn, CEO at UKTI, the UK government’s organisation responsible for promoting trade and investment. Sir Andrew will share his experience with his Argentine counterparts on an issue that is crucial to both countries. Trade and investment means higher employment levels - a challenge both to Argentina and the UK.  

But the most important events, from a humanitarian and emotional point of view, were the two visits to the Falklands by the next-of-kin of Argentines fallen in the 1982 to dedicate the cenotaph at Darwin Cemetery on 3 and 10 October. Despite our differences on the central issue, both countries were able to work closely to reach agreements that were acceptable to all parties involved and achieve a very important humanitarian objective.  Together we were able to address this challenge with a rate of success that exceeded our own expectations.  Both visits took place in a spirit of warmth and mutual respect. A quick look at Argentine newspapers that reported on the experience will give an idea of the significance of the visit.

Our two countries face all kinds of challenges. The examples described above show how we can tackle them together. And as UK Ambassador I will do my utmost to continue on this path.