The presidents of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, and Brazil, Lula da Silva, met in Brasilia to commemorate 200 years of bilateral relations.

In the Brazilian capital, the Argentine recalled that his country was the first to recognise the independence of its neighbor, when it emancipated from Portugal.

He also recalled that Brazil, along with Bolivia, were the two South American nations that first questioned the British usurpation of the Malvinas Islands in 1833.

Mr Fernández also highlighted his friendship with the Brazilian leader, and said that "when you are in trouble you ask your friends for help, and friends are always there".

Lula, for his part, revealed that they are working on the "creation of a financing line for Brazilian exports" to Argentina.

He also stressed that Argentina and Brazil led the creation of MERCOSUR, which also includes Uruguay and Paraguay, more than 30 years ago.