Updated Wednesday at 3.45 p.m. to reflect the press conference given by President Milei and Prime Minister Meloni

Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a “collaboration plan” in political, security, and trade issues in a press conference they gave Wednesday afternoon. During his presentation, Milei also vowed to combat the “woke virus” and “gender ideology.”

The two leaders appeared before the media at approximately 1.15 p.m. after holding a bilateral meeting that went on for a little over two hours.

Milei and Meloni highlighted the close relationship between the Argentine and Italian people, but also the common ground they share as political leaders. “Against the economical nonsense and the advance against the right to property, we strictly defend the free trade market, common sense, and private property,” Milei said.

The Argentine president also said that the countries will be “relentless” against crime. He added that “in the face of gender ideology,” they will “support the unrestricted right to life and defend the family as society’s center.”

“In the face of the soul’s disease, which is the ‘woke virus,’ we ask that common sense and values are restored,” Milei said.

Meloni stated that they share their views on international issues such as the Russian war on Ukraine, “the Middle East,” and “the Venezuelan crisis.” She also said they agreed to work together on three guidelines, including a “political collaboration” in a five-year action plan to identify the sectors more suited for the countries’ mutual cooperation.

They also agreed to work together against organized crime, with Italy giving Argentina technical assistance on this, and strengthening their trade relations, increasing Italian investments in Argentina.

Meloni arrived in Casa Rosada at 11 a.m. She was welcomed by Presidency Secretary Karina Milei — President Milei’s sister — at the governmental building hall as the Granaderos band played a military march. The two gleefully hugged and laughed before talking for a few minutes. Karina Milei then led her to where her brother was waiting for her, as shown in an official livestream.

The military march was Avenida de las Camelias (Camelias Avenue), also used on Sunday to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron. Although it is over 100 years old, it’s infamous for its use during the last military dictatorship, particularly during the announcement of the coup against María Estela Martínez de Perón on March 24, 1976. It has been used on several protocol occasions since Milei became president.

Meloni, who is visiting Argentina for the first time, took part of the G20 world leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and Tuesday alongside Milei. She arrived in Buenos Aires on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and was greeted by Foreign Relations Secretary Eduardo Bustamante, given Milei and Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein had not returned from Rio yet, according to media outlets.

Milei and Meloni had agreed on her visit to Argentina in September when they ran into each other at the United Nations General Assembly.

On Wednesday morning, Meloni was scheduled to lay a wreath at the San Martín square in Retiro, where there is a statue of national hero general José de San Martín. The Italian Consulate and the embassy also organized a ballet gala at the Teatro Coliseo on Wednesday evening. She will fly back to Italy after that.

Meloni is one of the world leaders Milei is closest to. They have appeared smiling and laughing together in public in their two prior bilateral meetings. The first was in February, shortly after Milei became president, when Milei visited Pope Francis in the Vatican. The second was during the G7 summit in June.

They are also close in ideological terms, as Meloni is the leader of conservative right-wing party Brothers of Italy. Initially considered to be far-right due to her anti-immigration stance and very traditional pro-family values, she has since then softened her tone on many issues.

In July, Meloni said there was “no room for racism or antisemitism,” and that those who “are nostalgic” for Italy’ fascist past are not welcome. This happened after a video showing young members of her party that included fascist chants and salutes surfaced in the local media.

In addition, Meloni recently arrived to an agreement with the Spanish socialist government led by Pedro Sánchez to back her candidate for the European Commission’s vice presidency.