President Sebastián Piñera addressed the condemnation of violence, the constitutional process, the coronavirus pandemic, economic recovery and foreign policy in meeting with former presidents Frei and Lagos

The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, held a meeting on Friday with former presidents Eduardo Frei and Ricardo Lagos, where they analyzed the current situation in Chile, the forthcoming constitutional referendum, measures to address the conflict in La Araucanía, the coronavirus pandemic and foreign policy.

The meeting was held online and the President stressed the need to condemn violence and appreciated legitimate peaceful demonstrations. They discussed the situation in La Araucanía, where the President explained the details and progress with the Araucanía Plan and the security measures deployed in the area, while at the same time discussing the need to regain confidence in order to promote peace and development in the region. The leaders stressed the importance of recognizing and appreciating the wealth, diversity and contribution of indigenous peoples in Chile.

They discussed the forthcoming constitutional referendum and stressed the importance of reaching a consensus on the content of the Constitution.

President Piñera referred to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile and the projects underway in Chile to ensure that it can obtain the vaccine when it becomes available. The President reported that Chile had presented a proposal to the WHO to strengthen the international architecture that responds to health pandemics.

The President expressed his confidence that the Chilean economy would recover, as job creation has returned, and highlighted forecasts of a better outlook for 2021.

President Piñera stressed the need to make progress on immigration reform to ensure regular, orderly and safe migration in Chile.

The President commented on Chile’s presentation to the UN, which depicted the extended continental platform of the Easter Island Province, which includes the islands of Rapa Nui and Salas y Gómez, which could reach up to 700 nautical miles and add 550,000 km2 of sovereign ocean to Chile. This will be added to other areas that are currently being studied in the Chilean Antarctic Territory, the Taitao Peninsula, the Juan Fernández Archipelago and the San Félix and San Ambrosio Islands.

President Piñera highlighted that Chile will join France, England, Italy and the United Nations Secretariat to convene a summit to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement and to renew this climate commitment.