Argentina has signalled that it wants to strike a trade deal with Britain if there can be a resolution to the Falkland Islands dispute.
The comment by Susana Malcorra, the Argentine foreign minister, is the latest sign of a thawing in relations more than 30 years after the conflict.
Speaking on the sidelines of a news conference in Buenos Aires, Ms Malcorra said: “You know very well that our relation with the UK has its special characteristics, and we need to resolve some things before advancing with a bilateral negotiation.”
Britain will not accept a resolution that involves changes in control to the Falkland Islands. However, Ms Malcorra’s decision not to set out any specific demands is likely to encourage hope that a deal might be possible.
Relations between Argentina and the UK have improved since the departure of President Kirchner. The new president, Mauricio Macri, assumed office a year ago vowing to open up the economy. The two countries agreed in September to work toward ending restrictions on oil and gas exploration, shipping and fishing affecting the Falkland Islands, which have been in place since the 1982 conflict.