On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send my best wishes to the people of Argentina as you celebrate the bicentennial of your nation’s declaration of independence on July 9.

The United States and Argentina are regional leaders and long-time friends.  Our two peoples are bound together by common interests and shared values, including support for democracy, human rights, and gender equality.  President Obama’s historic visit to Argentina last March underscored the importance of our partnership and reflected the broad cooperation between our nations.  We look forward to building upon our two centuries of close collaboration and strong friendship in the years to come.

As you gather with friends and family in Tucuman—the cradle of Argentine independence—and throughout the country, I join you in the national brindis to say, “Congratulations, Argentina, on 200 years of independence!”