JAN. 30, 2023

President Gabriel Boric and Chancellor of Germany sign a series of agreements in areas such as clean energy, science and development

The leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, as part of Olaf Scholz’s official visit to Chile. 

The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, began his official visit to Chile by holding a meeting with President Gabriel Boric at La Moneda Palace. During the occasion, they signed a series of agreements in diverse areas. 

Among the issues contained in the documents signed is the reinsertion of our country, represented by the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), into the Eureka Innovation Network and the implementation of a national strategy for the development of the green hydrogen industry. Also included are multiple programs, meetings and collaborative initiatives that address the challenges of decarbonization, climate resilience and adaptation to climate change. 

Agreements were also signed to promote productive diversification between the technological innovation and development systems of Germany and Chile. 

President Gabriel Boric stated that Chile and Germany “are two states that share absolute values such as the defense of freedom and democracy, the rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights. These are things we talked about a lot with the Chancellor.” 

President Boric emphasized that the agreements signed “are three cooperation agreements on matters such as technology and innovation, training on minerals, the circular economy and energy. There is also an important memorandum between the National Copper Corporation of Chile, our state-owned CODELCO, and Aurubis, which is one of Europe’s main metallurgical companies, with a long history since 1862, if I’m not mistaken, based in Hamburg where the current Chancellor was also mayor.” 

“Today, we can do a lot of work to deepen Germany’s presence in our country. According to the Banco Central (Central Bank), just to give an example, the current amount of German investment exceeds US$1,000 billion and we have tremendous potential to continue growing exchange, not only in numerical terms, but also by creating value, creating value chains and transferring technology,” President Boric indicated. 

He also stressed that Chile has chosen Germany as the gateway to the whole of Europe. “Our country, Chile, ranks first among the emerging economies with the greatest potential for investment in clean energy and, as a government, we are working very hard not to miss this tremendous opportunity.” 

Lastly, President Boric thanked Chancellor Scholz for the invitation to become a member of the Climate Club. “It is a space that has been personally promoted by the Chancellor to discuss and make progress on the mitigations that we must carry out to face the climate crisis. G7 nations and some G20 countries and other international organizations are already part of it today. I am very grateful for the show of trust towards me and our country to be a part, to be a partner in our fight for the climate crisis,” he concluded.