Argentina and Bolivia Analyze Energy

Argentine and Bolivian ministers Julio de Vido and Carlos Villegas discussed energy ties between their two countries Friday, a central topic of the visit of Bolivian President Evo Morales to Argentina Saturday.

The focus of the discussions between Argentine Federal Planning Minister De Vido and Bolivian Hydrocarbons Minister Villegas will be solutions to the difficulties of gas supply from Bolivia by next winter.

Presidents Evo Morales and Cristina Fernandez will discuss these and other points with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived in Buenos Aires on an official visit today, when he met privately with Fernandez immediately.

Bolivia has not been able to fulfil a contract to deliver Argentina more than 7 million cubic meters of gas, and suggested a three party agreement, with part of the gas destined to Brazil going to Argentina during the winter.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim has stated the gas purchased from Bolivia cannot be suddenly transferred to Argentina, but that does not mean a refusal to help Argentina.