The foreign ministries of Brazil and Chile announced on Thursday (05.09.2019) that they will take advantage of their countries' "pro tempore" presidencies in Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, respectively, to promote rapprochement between the blocs.
In a joint statement at the Itamaraty Palace after a meeting, Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo and Chilean Foreign Minister Teodoro Ribera agreed on the strong convergence of visions and interests between the two countries.
Araújo said that the bilateral relationship has a "very special character", and highlighted the importance of the assistance provided by Chile in combating the fires in the Amazon.
"We had a very in-depth conversation, we noted a clear affinity of visions and convergence of interests. We have a very close relationship like never before," he said.
«We talk a lot about taking advantage of the Brazilian presidency of Mercosur and Chile's presidency of the Pacific Alliance this semester for a concrete approach, a symbol of the enormous importance of the economic relationship between Brazil and Chile., he stressed.
Mercosur (made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Venezuela temporarily suspended) and the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) are two trade blocs that integrate the largest economies in Latin America.
The Brazilian foreign minister recalled that next December Chile will host the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25), and Brazil is ready to contribute to that event.
"We want to bring the reality of the Amazon and sustainable development, of our agriculture that respects the environment"Brazil protects the environment and seeks to ensure the sustainable development of its population; this will be our contribution to this conference," he said.
Other areas mentioned by Araújo were Antarctic cooperation, the creation of a planning group to analyze the future of the bilateral relationship, scientific cooperation and the fight against drug trafficking.
Ribera stressed that both countries agree on building a strategic relationship and long-term ties.
"I would like to highlight the interest of both pro tempore presidencies, Chile in the Pacific Alliance and Brazil in Mercosur, in promoting convergence processes that offer hope for new times," he said.
He recalled that Chile is Brazil's second largest trading partner in the region, and that Brazil is Chile's first, as well as being the first destination for Chilean investments abroad.
He also highlighted the importance of the Brazil-Chile free trade agreement approved last year, which must be ratified by Congress in order to come into force.
The Chilean foreign minister also pointed out the possibilities opened by the project of a bioceanic corridor that will connect Puerto Murtinho, in southern Brazil, with the ports of northern Chile, which "are ready to receive Brazilian cargo."
Finally, he stressed the Chilean project for a digital port to connect Asia and South America, and that his country's intention is to promote digital integration, especially with Brazil.
Source: Chilean Foreign Ministry
Canciller @TeodoroRiberaN After meeting his partner #Brasil @ernestofaraujo"We agree on the interest in moving towards a strategic relationship that will allow us to strengthen long-term ties between both countries, looking towards 2040." pic.twitter.com/2Vg9QpSXVl
— Chilean Foreign Ministry ?? (@Minrel_Chile) September 5, 2019
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