“Mexico is a friend of Chile with a traditional influence and international prestige”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Ampuero, described as "very positive" the meeting held with his Mexican counterpart, Marcelo Ebrard, this Tuesday in Mexico City.

In the meeting, both secretariats of State reviewed the broad and deep bilateral agenda as well as addressing themes of the regional political scenario such as the crisis in Venezuela.

On this last point, the ministers Ampuero and Ebrard shared their respective views, agreed to keep a fluid exchange of information and a permanent dialogue. Likewise, they committed to seek degrees of convergence in a dynamic scenario.

"On this matter, it is very important for Chile to dialogue and explore possible common spaces with a country that is not only a close friend, but also one characterized by a traditional influence and regional prestige", claimed the Minister Ampuero. "That is why, the conversation with the Chancellor Ebrard was very constructive on this point", he added.

The ministers also exchanged opinions on the state of the mechanisms of regional integration. And in this context, Mexico showed special interest in the meeting that will be held this coming March in Chile.
In regards to the Pacific Alliance, both of them agreed on valuing the work and the progress reached so far, while agreeing on the need to continue boosting its consolidation.

In terms of the bilateral agenda, both Chancellors agreed to relieve the next commemoration of the 20th year anniversary of the signing of Free Trade Agreement between the countries.

Resulting from this FTA highlights the trade exchange between both countries that has increased in a 9 percent annual average rate since 1999.

"In a globalized context of growing debate on protectionism, the Chile-Mexico FTA has been a key instrument to enhance the growth of both economies, resulting in the creation of jobs and better conditions for our citizens", said the Chancellor Ampuero.

Also, the secretaries of State addressed various instances of collaborative work. Among those, the 8th Meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Strategic Partnership Agreement that will be held this coming May and headed by the Chilean Under-secretary of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Valdivia, and the Under-secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Maximiliano Reyes.

Similarly, they signed the holding of the 13th Session of the Chile-Mexico Cooperation Commission that will take place on March 28 and 29 in Mexico City.

The Minister Ampuero also manifested the interest of Chile to participate in the Comprehensive Development Plan launched by Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. This initiative aims at boosting economic development through projects of cooperation and private investment within this group of countries. In this regard, the Chancellor Ebrard appreciated the interest of Chile and indicated that he will share the information for a possible participation of Chile in this project.

The meeting yesterday is the third one held between the Chancellors Ampuero and Ebrard. The first one took place within the context of the Pacific Alliance Summit in Puerto Vallarta in July 2018, prior to the taking of power of the Government of the President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. After, the secretaries of State met again on the occasion of the ceremony of presidential inauguration, on December 1 last year in Mexico City.