Cerda said that the basic framework of the cooperation in the field of nuclear energy had been mapped out following the signing of an accord earlier.  “The agreement of cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed by the Kingdom and Argentina in June 2011,” said the diplomat. He spoke at length about the growing Saudi-Argentine relations in the fields of trade, technology and economy.

A front-runner in the field of nuclear technology, Argentina recently completed its third nuclear power plant in a move it says helps diversify the country’s energy sources. Asked to comment on the status of Saudi-Argentine cooperation in nuclear sector, he pointed out that the agreement spelled out the general details, which will help to decide “the priorities of the national nuclear programs”.

Argentine, he said, has been extending cooperation to Egypt, Algeria, Australia and Peru in the field of nuclear energy.  “These programs, which are under the safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency are a crucial sector of the Argentina economy that helps to advance technological research and ensure high standards not only for performance but also for security,” said Cerda, while referring to his country’s role and its presence in the region.

He pointed out that Argentina was the only Latin American country that participated in the Gulf war in 1991.

“Argentina’s participation was in the framework of the United Nations,” said the envoy. He pointed out that Argentine and GCC as a bloc had expressed keen desire to boost relations in other sectors. To this end, he noted that Argentine would soon open its embassy in Doha.

On the regional level, the Cerda said that the Kingdom and Argentina has had similar views in a range of subjects. A large number of companies from the two countries had expressed interest in cooperating in different fields; many already had a presence in the Gulf region, he added.

“The Kingdom and Argentina are also members of the Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) where South American countries and Arab countries, among other issues, work together to enhance bilateral cooperation,” said Cerda.

The third summit of ASPA at the level of heads of state is expected to take place in Lima in 2012, he added. ASPA, which is a mechanism for bi-regional cooperation and a forum for political coordination, is composed of 34 countries, 12 South American nations and 22 Arab countries, as well as the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Union of South American Nations.