According to Emmanuel Macron, Argentina is "much more" than an ally in key sectors, such as critical metals, as it is also "a friend" with whom France wants to build "the economy of the future."

French President Emmanuel Macron held a conversation with his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, in which he expressed France's commitment to Argentina's economic situation and the challenges ahead.

According to Macron, Argentina is "much more" than an ally in key sectors, such as critical metals, as it is also "a friend" with whom France wants to build "the economy of the future," as he expressed on his X account.

"The Argentine people can always count on France's support," the French president stated, clearly signaling his agreement with Milei, whose two sides are divided, among other issues, on the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

The mention of critical minerals in the call came on the same day that the European Commission announced it will support 47 strategic projects for the exploitation of critical raw materials within the European Union, such as cobalt, lithium, and magnesium, to supply the European continent. Seven of these are in Spain, with the aim of improving supply, reducing dependence on countries like China, and strengthening the European raw materials value chain.

Behind this list lies the EU executive's intention to guarantee the security of the Union's supply of strategic raw materials.

The projects were selected for being "technically viable or having the potential to become so within a reasonable timeframe, demonstrating projected production volumes, and being implemented sustainably."