Buenos Aires: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Argentina on Wednesday on the first visit by a Russian head of state to Argentina, touting Moscow's drive to expand its presence and influence in Latin America.
"Russia has come back to South America," Medvedev said at a news conference with Argentine President Cristina Kirchner.
"In my view, all global major players should be present in Latin America," he said. "So I hope no one is hurt by this. And if they are hurt, we couldn't care less."
Medvedev, who arrived here from a nuclear summit in Washington, earlier talked up business opportunities for both countries at a session with Argentine business leaders, expressing hope trade would continue to grow after a 30-percent downturn during the global financial crisis.
The two inked deals on nuclear energy, trade, space, transportation and sports.
"The world has changed," Kirchner said. "We are no longer a back yard of any state."
The Kremlin said in a statement that Russia was keen to diversify its trade with Argentina, which stood at just $2 billion (Dh7.35 billion) in 2008 and is largely limited to meat, fruit and mineral fertilisers.
Russia and Argentina are considering cooperation in oil and gas and shipbuilding, with Moscow also hoping to sell arms to Buenos Aires.
Partner
"Argentina remains one of our largest Latin American partners, and I am confident we will be able to fill the gaps which emerged due to global financial crisis through new projects," Medvedev told the business leaders.
Argentina has expressed interest in Russia's air defence systems and aviation aircraft as well as vessels and helicopters that could help the country with its Antarctic programme, the Kremlin said. Anatoly Isaikin, CEO of arms exporter Rosoboronexport, said he would sign the first defence contract to deliver two transport helicopters Mi-171s to help Argentina's scientific research in the Antarctic.
The two countries are also considering cooperation in nuclear and space industries.
Sergei Kiriyenko, CEO of the Rosatom Corp, said he would be signing a nuclear deal that "will allow cooperation in the sphere of building nuclear power stations".
"This year Argentina will decide what to build and where," he said.
He said Russia would offer to build its third-generation reactor with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, but declined to give an estimate of the price if Moscow is awarded the contract.
"The price of one reactor for such a station begins at $4.5 billion," Kiriyenko said, adding that Argentina was looking to build two reactors.
"We expect the movement on this project will be dynamic and mutually beneficial," Medvedev said.
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana told local radio the two countries signed more than 10 agreements during Medvedev's visit, which he said marked "the first time in 125 years" of bilateral relations that a Russian head of state travelled to Argentina.
A dinner in his honour was to be held at the opulent San Martin palace and crown Medvedev's lightning trip to the country.
On Thursday, Medvedev travelled to Brazil where he joined the leaders of Brazil, India and China in a second summit of the world's major emerging economies known collectively as the BRIC countries.
Russia hosted the first BRIC summit in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg last year.
The Russian leader is making his second trip to Latin America since he became president in 2008. In November that year, he made a four-nation trip to Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba.
