Minister Allamand initiates first international tour with emphasis on the modernization of the European Union Association Agreement

In Brussels, during the first day of his tour through Europe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrés Allamand, met with the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

At the meeting, both authorities agreed on the importance of speeding up the last stage of the negotiations for the modernization of the Association Agreement between Chile and the EU, during the first half of next year.

The Minister explained the context of Chile after the outbreak of 18-0, how our country has been able to channel it through its institutional framework, and the steps that are being followed on the path of drawing up a new Constitution, which was well-valued by Borrell.

At the same time, Minister Allamand emphasized the main issues that must be respected in the constitutional process: Chile will continue to be a democratic republic; respect for final and enforceable rulings, and respect for current international treaties, ratified by the National Congress.

"With the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, we had a positive meeting, in which we were able to project the relationship between the EU and Chile, and promote the last stage to modernize the association agreement," said Allamand, who added that Borrell "gave me a high appreciation of the Chilean constitutional process."

This was not the only meeting the Minister held with representatives of the European Union. Early in the morning, in the “Berlaymont” European Commission building, the Minister met with the Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis. They discussed the importance of advancing in the negotiations for the modernization of the Association Agreement, to achieve it in the first half of 2021.

Subsequently, he held a meeting with the Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, with whom he discussed the green hydrogen diplomacy promoted by Chile, the advantages that our country has to produce the fuel of the future, and its leadership to become a world research center, development, and production.

He also met with the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on which occasion he reiterated Chile's commitment to the conservation of the oceans, the creation of marine protected areas at a global level, and the care and scientific development in Antarctica.