Argentina–Italy relations

Argentina–Italy relations refers to the current and historical relations between Argentina and Italy. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centers on the history of Italian migration to Argentina. Argentines of full or partial Italian ancestry number approximately 30 million, or 62% of the country's total population.[1] Both nations are members of the G20 and the United Nations.

Argentina-Italy relations

Argentina
Italy

History

In 1816, Argentina declared its independence from Spain. At the same time, Italy was made up of separate independent Italian states. In May 1836, the Kingdom of Sardinia recognized and established diplomatic relations with Argentina, the first Italian state to do so.[2] In 1842, Italian General (and future unifier of Italy) Giuseppe Garibaldi, fought for Uruguayan rebels during the Uruguayan Civil War against the Argentine Confederation and Uruguayan Nationalist Party.[3]

In 1850, Sardinian King (and future King of a united Italy), Victor Emmanuel II, appointed an ambassador to Argentina.[2] In 1855, Argentina and Italy signed a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation.[4] In 1924, Italy upgraded its diplomatic legation in Buenos Aires to an embassy.[4] That same year, Italian Prince Umberto of Piedmont (future King Umberto II) visited Argentina.[5] The Prince's main visit to Argentina (and other South American nations) was part of a political plan of fascism to link the Italian people living outside of Italy with their mother country.[5]

During World War II, Argentina remained neutral throughout most of the war and at the time, Argentine President Juan Perón was an admirer of Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini.[6] In 1944, due to international pressure, Argentina officially declared war on Germany and Japan as by that time, Italy had already surrendered to the Allies in September 1943. Soon afterwards, Argentina donated wheat to a defeated Italy.[7] In June 1947, Eva Perón paid an official visit to Italy during her Rainbow Tour of Europe.[8]

During the Argentine Dirty War from 1974-1983, eight Italian citizens went "missing" in Argentina.[9] In May 2007, Italy sentenced in absentia life sentences to five ex-navy Argentine officers for the murder of three of the eight Italians that went missing during the war.[10][11] In 1982, during the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom, Italy supported diplomatically the United Kingdom during the war, however, remained neutral in the fighting.[12]

High-level visits
Prince Umberto of Piedmont in Argentina; 1924.
Argentina President Alberto Fernandez with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome; 2020.

High-level visits from Argentina to Italy

High-level visits from Italy to Argentina

Migration
Main article: Italian Argentines
Statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi at Plaza Italia, Buenos Aires

Between 1870–1960, over 2 million Italian nationals immigrated to Argentina.[1] Most Italians left Italy due to poverty and wars. In 2011, over 30 million Argentine citizens (approx. 62% of the population) claim Italian ancestry.[1] Italian culture has penetrated Argentine society in food and language as Argentine Spanish is heavily influenced by Italian. Several Argentine politicians, sports figures, actors, models and literary authors, among others (including the current Catholic Pope), are of Italian descent. Argentina hosts the second biggest Italian diaspora community in the world after Brazil.[13] In 1973, Argentina and Italy signed an Agreement on dual citizenship.[14]

The Argentine community in Italy totals 11,200 members; however, many Argentine citizens have dual citizenship with Italy and therefore the Argentine community in Italy may be greater.

Air transportation

There are direct flights between Argentina and Italy through the following airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas and Alitalia.

Trade

In 2017, trade between Argentina and Italy totaled US$2.7 billion dollars.[15] Argentina's main exports to Italy include: wheat, soya beans, frozen crustacean, pears and beef. Italy's main exports to Argentina include: steam turbines, steel rails, machinery and medicine.[15] Italian car makers such as Ferrari, Fiat and Lamborghini have a presence in Argentina, as well as Italian fashion and food products. Joint Argentine-Italian steel company, Techint, is headquartered in both nations and operates in several countries globally. In 2000, member nations of Mercosur (which includes Argentina) and the European Union (which includes Italy) began negotiations on a free trade agreement.[16]

Resident diplomatic missions


  • Embassy of Argentina in Rome
  • Embassy of Italy in Buenos Aires
  • Consulate-General of Italy in Buenos Aires
  • Consulate of Italy in Mendoza
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See also

References
  1. Historias de inmigrantes italianos en Argentina (in Spanish)
  2. Incidente Con Italia Por No Reconocer la Independencia de Argentina (in Spanish)
  3. Giuseppe Garibaldi: Exile in South America
  4. Relations between Italy and Argentina (in Italian)
  5. Umberto II, re d'Italia (King of Italy)
  6. Argentine Politics: As Confused as the Country
  7. Italia y Argentina 1943-1955: política, emigración e información periodística (in Spanish)
  8. “La gira del arco iris” (in Spanish)
  9. Trial of Argentina's 'Dirty War' soldiers to open in Italy
  10. Italy gives "Dirty War" Argentines life sentences
  11. Disappeared, but not forgotten
  12. Las claves del conflicto entre Gran Bretaña y Argentina por las Malvinas (in Spanish)
  13. Italian Nel Mondo (in Italian)
  14. Perfil Migratorio de Argentina (in Spanish)
  15. OEC: Argentina
  16. European Commission: Mercosur
  17. Embassy of Argentina in Rome (in Spanish)
  18. Embassy of Italy in Buenos Aires (in Italian and Spanish)
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