Minister says that Argentina needs Brazil to sell gas from Vaca Muerta and that the president of the neighboring country tends to be pragmatic
The Minister of Mines and Energy, , minimized this Monday (November 18, 2024) the friction with the government of the president of Argentina, Javier Milei (Freedom Advances, direita). According to him, there are more “speech” than “gestures” by the neighboring country.
Argentina was reluctant to support the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, the president’s main initiative Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) ahead of the pack, but to the proposal that Brazil presented at the G20 Summit in Rio. Earlier, the 2 countries also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Argentine government to purchase natural gas from the Vaca Muerta field. The agreement defines the start of supplying 2 million cubic meters of gas per day to Brazil from 2025.
“They [argentinos] they have more speech than gestures. They make more speeches to anyone who wants to listen, because, effectively, it is a necessity, it is the real world. In the real world it is a necessity for survival”said Silveira in an interview with journalists at the G20 media center, next to the (Museum of Modern Art).
The minister said that Argentines need the economic relationship with Brazil and that Milei tends to be pragmatic in his decisions.
“So, this relationship and this demonstration, which we made today, is an unequivocal demonstration, that regardless of political positions, there must be permanent dialogue”said Silveira.
The Minister of Agriculture, , stated that it was a demonstration of pragmatism by the Lula government: “I think it shows the pragmatism of the regional development aspect. I think it’s important for Argentina, it’s important for Brazil, but we don’t have to leave any type of ideological divergence, stop providing opportunities for our populations. Just like that”.
Asked if this signature contributes to improving the relationship between countries, especially in the G20, Silveira stated yes.
“As a positive gesture from Brazil, a pragmatic gesture that we, on topics as relevant as employment, income, economic development, with sustainability, we do not take into account the issues of political dispute”these.
UNDERSTAND
Despite increasing the supply of natural gas to the country, Brazil is not expected to face criticism regarding the agreement. Argentina uses the hydraulic fracturing technique to extract gas from Vaca Muerta. This practice is condemned by environmentalists for causing soil contamination and is prohibited in Brazil.
Brazil’s purchase of gas from Argentina goes against the defense of environmental preservation and sustainable development.
The increase in gas supply at more competitive prices in the Brazilian market is one of the industrial sector’s biggest demands on the government and the purchase of gas could be an important gesture to calm this segment.
