Presidents Piñera and Duque reaffirm their commitment to the integration, progress and development of South American countries
The President of Chile welcomed the Colombian Head of State, Iván Duque, on Thursday and stressed the importance of respect for human rights, democracy and regional integration as the means of achieving regional development and progress.
During a week marked by visits to Chile by Presidents from around the region, President Sebastián Piñera welcomed his Colombian counterpart, Iván Duque, for an official visit. Both leaders agreed that the most important bonds uniting the two nations are shared values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, integration and regional understanding as the path to regional development and progress.
“President Duque and I agree on the need for South America to have a forum, a space, where we can come together, engage in dialogue, collaborate, share ideas and seek agreements that will help speed up progress on several fronts, while simultaneously giving South America a stronger voice,” said President Piñera in a joint statement from La Moneda Presidential Palace.
The President of Colombia was welcomed by honor guards at the Plaza de la Constitución and at La Moneda Presidential Palace. The two Heads of State held a private meeting before presiding over an event with the following ministers from both countries: Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense, Economy, Energy, Mining, Transport and Science. This was followed by a ceremony to launch the Chilean-Colombian Business Council and a lunch in honor of President Duque.
Following the meetings, Presidents Piñera and Duque signed a joint declaration on cooperation in several areas that will strengthen ties between the two countries.
The agreement signed includes an Action Plan between the Science Ministries of both countries, as well as a cooperation agreement between the two diplomatic academies on the subjects of cybersecurity, cyber defense, cybercrime, technology and innovation, transport, investment and trade.
The goal of the meeting between the two Presidents was to strengthen political and trade relations between both countries and to move forward on a regional understanding to promote Latin American integration and development based on a solid foundation of democracy and respect for human rights.
An additional goal was to support the work of the Binational Business Council to promote investment and employment in both countries.
“We are firmly committed to continue moving forward in all areas of interest,” concluded the President.
Chile and Colombia have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in force and both countries are members of the Pacific Alliance, together with Peru and Mexico. Trade between Chile and Colombia totaled US$2.142 billion in 2018.