Cooler Heads to Prevail: Argentina, Russia Likely to Maintain Cooperation

Argentina's new government will be pragmatic as far as foreign relations are concerned, according to a local expert in foreign affairs.

The new Argentine administration will take a pragmatic attitude to foreign relations and won’t say no to lucrative joint ventures with Russia, according to Alberto Hutschenreuter, a professor of geopolitics at the Argentine Air War College (ESGA).

"I believe that Argentina and Russia should reach the level of economic cooperation befitting their extensive diplomatic relations. So far this cooperation failed to reach the levels that were envisioned several years ago," Hutschenreuter told RIA Novosti.

Despite that, the two countries are involved in numerous joint scientific and technological projects.

"Many people believe that the new Argentine administration will put an end to these projects, but I don’t think so," Hutschenreuter said.

"I believe that the new government will be pragmatic when it comes to foreign relations. That is, it will perceive the world through the prism of its capabilities and potential gains for its national interests," he added.

Argentina and Russia enjoy a warm relationship; they maintain a visa-free regime and Russia is one of Argentina's key export partners. When the EU and the US invited

Argentina to participate in sanctions against Russia last year, Argentina balked, winning the respect of President Vladimir Putin.

He and outgoing President Cristina Kirchner, who visited the Kremlin earlier this year, signed a "strategic partnership" that included oil and gas deals as well as an agreement for Russia to fund a Nuclear Power Plant, according to The Telegraph.

A second round of presidential elections was held in Argentina on Sunday. According to preliminary reports, the opposition candidate Mauricio Macri is poised to triumph over his opponent, Daniel Scioli.