Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with new European Union ambassador in Chile to discuss bilateral priorities
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, received the Ambassador of the European Union, Claudia Gintersdorfer, who recently took up her duties in Chile, in an audience.
During the meeting, the authorities discussed the priorities of the bilateral relationship, such as the importance of the prompt approval, in the national parliaments, of the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA), signed between Chile and the European Union last year.
The Foreign Affairs Minister and the Ambassador agreed that, with the adoption of the AFA, both parties will give new impetus to their economic, commercial and political ties, as the agreement will create new economic opportunities and promote shared values, including substantial commitments and specific provisions on human rights, sustainable trade and gender equality.
“We had a very positive meeting that reflects the excellent level of our relationship with the EU. With the new ambassador we talked about our interest in achieving the prompt approval of the AFA and the Interim Trade Agreement, among other matters. Obviously, it has been an intense process, taking into account the complexity of this agreement”, said the minister, who recalled that the AFA document contains more than a thousand pages, and therefore requires an important analysis in both chambers of the Chilean Parliament. “This process is nearing completion and the EU ambassador expressed her satisfaction with the progress of this agreement”, he added.
Ambassador Gintersdorfer also noted that “Chile and the EU have a relationship of friendship and great harmony. Among the expectations for the future, we are in the process of ratifying the AFA and we agree that this process is going well, in accordance with expectations, and will help further strengthen our relationship”.
During the audience, the authorities also discussed the crises currently affecting the Middle East and Ukraine, reaffirming their commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflicts and respect for human rights, as well as international humanitarian law.
