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| - Recession-hit Argentina has managed to restructure 99 percent of $66 billion in debt issued under foreign legislation, Economy Minister Martin Guzman announced on Monday. The news comes around a month after Argentina reached an agreement with three major creditor groups to renegotiate the terms of the debt following months of strained talks and several missed deadlines. "There has been massive acceptance, thanks to the dialogue process," said Guzman, speaking alongside President Alberto Fernandez and Vice-President Cristina Kirchner. Guzman said that the deal meant Argentina would benefit from $37.7 billion in debt relief while its annual interest rate will drop from seven percent to three percent. "This gives us a sufficient economic timeframe to generate sustainable policies and allow development," said Guzman. The high acceptance rate also lifts the specter of litigation by speculative funds, that have successfully sued the country in the past. "We've come out of the labyrinth," said Fernandez. "We don't want to condemn any more Argentines to grovelling." The deal, reached on August 4, is worth 54.8 cents on the dollar, a significant increase on Argentina's original offer of 39 cents. The bonds represent roughly a fifth of the country's $324 billion in debt, which amounts to around 90 percent of its GDP. Argentina is in the midst of an economic crisis and has been in recession since 2018. It has been in default -- for the ninth time in its history -- since May 22 when the country missed a deadline to pay $500 million in interest on the debt that is subject to the current negotiation. It missed another deadline in July to pay $600 million more. nn/mr/bc/dw
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