Spain, EU act against Argentina over YPF

On Friday, Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria announced plans to impose limits on biodiesel imports from Argentina, giving preference to domestic or European bio-fuel.

“The objective of this decision is to support Spanish and European Union refineries so that they can supply biodiesel under competitive conditions,” Santamaria said.

Ninety percent of Spain’s imported bio-foul comes from either Argentina or Indonesia. In 2011, Spain imported approximately $750-million worth of bio-fuel from Argentina.

Meanwhile, members of the European Parliament condemned Argentina’s move saying that it was “an attack on the exercise of free enterprise.” They also called on the European Commission to take action against the Argentine government at the World Trade Organization.

The parliament also demanded that the European Union (EU) consider “possible partial suspension of the unilateral tariff preferences” that benefits exports from Argentina to the EU.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said on Monday that Argentina had to take back the oil firm, which was formerly a state-owned Argentine oil company, as it is the only nation in Latin America “that does not manage its natural resources.”

The Spanish energy company Repsol purchased YPF in 1999. With a market value of $10.6 billion, YPF accounts for about 25% of Repsol’s profits and 60% of its production.

Repsol President Antonio Brufau said on Tuesday that the company would take legal action against Argentina, seeking a compensation of about $10 billion.

MHB/MF/AZ

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