The United States welcomed President Cristina Fernandez's announcement that Argentina would pay its entire $6.7 billion debt this year to the Paris Club of international lenders. “We hope that this important step will create opportunities for U.S. financial institutions and international investors to resume operations in Argentina,” the State Department said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the government of Argentina as it takes steps to normalize financial relations with all external creditors and the international financial community,” the department wrote. “The U.S. government reiterates its commitment to work closely with Argentine government authorities in strengthening and expanding the rich bilateral and multilateral agenda with Argentina,” the statement said.
