Buenos Aires, September 22 (Mercopress-RHC) -- UNASUR Secretary General Ernesto Samper, in his first overseas official trip as the head of UNASUR, visited Argentina where he met with President Cristina Fernandez and Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, and also held a round of political talks and other ministerial meetings.

Former Colombian President Ernesto Samper took office last week as secretary general of the Union of South American Nations, a political and defense block which includes all countries of the continent.

During the meeting in Buenos Aires at the Palacio San Martin, seat of the Foreign Ministry, Samper and Timerman addressed the main issues of the Unasur agenda: social inclusion, economic development, financial stability and strengthening of the political role of the group.

According to the release from the Argentinian ministry, Samper showed special interest in the issue of sovereign debts, its restructuring and the need for a formal legal framework to address the matter which has garnered international support, and “in which Argentina is playing a leading role”.

Samper reiterated the UNASUR commitment with the Argentinian sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands and other South Atlantic islands and their surrounding maritime spaces.

Later, Samper met with members of congressional Foreign Affairs committees from both Houses and other directors from the different foreign affairs ministry offices.

The round of other ministries included: Justice; Social Development; Security; Labor; Defense and members of the Economy ministry team.