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 Argentina |  Lebanon |
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Diplomatic relations between the countriesArgentina andLebanon, have existed for over a century. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centers on the history ofLebanese immigration to Argentina. There are approximately 3 million Argentines of Lebanese descent.[1] The Lebanese community in Argentina is the third largest immigrant community in the country (afterSpain andItaly) and Argentina is host to the second largest community inLatin America (afterBrazil).[2] Both nations are members of theGroup of 24 and theUnited Nations.
Since 1860, several thousands Lebanese began immigrating to Argentina, mainly to escape persecution from theOttoman Empire (for which Lebanon was a part of at the time) and from theMount Lebanon civil war.[3] Initially most Lebanese migrants to Argentina wereChristians, however, over the decades, Lebanese professing theIslamic faith also began immigrating to Argentina.[3] In 1943, Lebanon obtained its independence fromFrance and in 1945, Argentina recognized the independence of and established diplomatic relations with Lebanon.[4] In May 1954, Lebanese PresidentCamille Chamoun paid an official visit to Argentina and met with Argentine PresidentJuan Perón.[5] After the visit, Argentina opened an embassy inBeirut.[6]
Relations between Argentina and Lebanon were limited during theLebanese Civil War. In 1998, Argentina PresidentCarlos Menem paid a three-day official visit to Lebanon.[7] During the visit, President Menem met with Lebanese PresidentElias Hrawi and promoted enhanced trade relations between both nations. In 2012, Lebanese PresidentMichel Sleiman paid an official visit to Argentina and meet with Argentine PresidentCristina Fernández de Kirchner.[8]
In May 2016, Argentine Foreign MinisterSusana Malcorra paid a visit to Lebanon. During her visit, she met with various local organizations assisting refugees affected by theSyrian Civil War and visited a Syrian refugee camp close to the Lebanese-Syrian border.[9] That same year, Argentina agreed to resettle 3,000 Syrian refugees from Lebanon.[10]
High-level visits from Argentina to Lebanon[7]
High-level visits from Lebanon to Argentina[8]
Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation; Agreement for Technical Cooperation and an Agreement on Tourism Cooperation.[5][11]
In 2017, trade between Argentina and Lebanon totaled US$110 million.[12] Argentina's main exports to Lebanon include: beef, yerba mate, soy, garbanzo beans and dairy based products. Lebanon's main exports to Argentina include: preserved and canned food, dried fruit and chemicals for agricultural purposes.[2]
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