Milei to Meet Meloni, Pope Leo XIV, Netanyahu on 10-Day International Tour

President Javier Milei is embarking on a 10-day international tour that includes meetings with Pope Leo XIV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and French President Emmanuel Macron among others. This trip, beginning in Rome, will mark his longest foreign journey thus far. Key highlights include a potential new air route between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv, as well as significant discussions centered on democracy and cooperation between nations.

President Javier Milei of Argentina is set to kick off a significant international tour on Thursday, June 5, with plans to engage with several notable world leaders. The presidency confirmed that Milei’s itinerary includes meetings with Pope Leo XIV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marking the longest foreign trip of his presidency thus far.

Milei’s journey will initiate in Rome, where he is scheduled to meet with Meloni on June 6 at the Chigi Palace. This meeting follows the signing of a crucial agreement between Argentina’s state energy company YPF and Italian multinational ENI. The Argentine president, sharing ideological similarities with Meloni, previously hinted at the idea of Italy joining a “league of nations” to establish a distinct multilateral organization.

On June 7, the President will have an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The newly appointed pontiff, who succeeded Pope Francis, holds a unique interest in Latin America, having served as a missionary in Peru. Following engagements in Spain, where Milei will conclude the Madrid Economic Forum, he will head to Nice to confer with Macron on June 9. Interestingly, there are no plans for Milei to interact with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with whom his relationship is reportedly strained.

Milei’s visit to Israel represents a key highlight of this tour, marking the second trip to the country since he took office. Upon arrival on June 9, Milei will meet President Isaac Herzog and Netanyahu. Additionally, a visit to the revered Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is also on his busy agenda.

On June 11, he is slated to receive the prestigious Genesis Prize, often referred to as the “Jewish Nobel,” during a special ceremony where he will also address the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel, Axel Wahnish, mentioned that an announcement will be made about launching a new air route connecting Buenos Aires with Tel Aviv, signaling a stronger bond between the nations. “It is a flight that is not a technical detail. For me, it is the symbolic demonstration of the union between the two peoples,” expressed Wahnish during an interview.

While in Israel, Milei also aims to sign a “memorandum for democracy and freedom.” Subsequently, he is expected to meet families of those abducted by Hamas, further emphasizing the visit’s significance. His return flight to Buenos Aires is set for June 14, following another brief stop in Spain.

In summary, President Javier Milei’s 10-day international tour will encompass pivotal meetings with several influential leaders worldwide, notably the Pope and Israeli leaders. The agenda reflects Argentina’s strategic diplomatic aims, focusing on strengthening ties with Italy, France, and Israel, while also addressing key issues related to democracy and freedom. This tour marks a crucial period for Milei as he navigates international relations, fostering connections with nations significant to Argentina’s interests.

Original Source: batimes.com.ar