Argentina has requested to join NATO as a global partner, a status that would clear the way for greater political and security cooperation at a time when the right-wing government of President Javier Milei aims to boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.

Argentina formally requested on Thursday to join NATO as a global partner, a status that would clear the way for greater political and security cooperation at a time when the right-wing government of President Javier Milei aims to boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.

The request came as NATO’s Deputy General Secretary Mircea Geoana held talks in Brussels on regional security challenges with visiting Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri.

Geoana said he welcomed Argentina’s bid to become an accredited partner in the alliance — a valued role short of “ally” for nations that are not in NATO’s geographical area and not required to take part in collective military actions. NATO membership is currently limited to countries of Europe, Turkey, Canada and the United States.

The designation could allow Argentina access to advanced technology, security systems and training not previously available to it, the Argentine presidency said.

  • xorEnglish
    1•7 months ago

    Milei is a POS, but Argentina would be a valuable addition to NATO, and hopefully set a precedent for accepting nations outside of Europe/North America. NATO rules would need an update though, I believe, since afaik they only cover territory in a limited geographical region, which I think Argentina may not be within?

    Would the territorial dispute with the UK over the Falklands not be a prohibiting factor, though? Perhaps the low practical value of the Falklands would be outweighed by the benefits of NATO membership. It would be a nice win if this resolved that dispute.