Minister at ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship at the Vatican: “The example of Chile and Argentina stands out as proof that, when the will exists, peace is possible”

In the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, Foreign Affairs Minister, Alberto van Klaveren led this morning the Chilean delegation that attended the commemorative ceremony of the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Chile and Argentina, offered by Pope Francis.
The Pope began by celebrating the realization of the act that recalls the “intense negotiations that, with pontifical mediation, avoided the armed conflict that was about to confront two brotherly peoples and concluded with a dignified, reasonable and equanimous solution”.
“I wanted to give special importance to this commemoration, also with the presence of the Cardinals and the Diplomatic Corps - for which I am heartily grateful - both to recall the anniversary and to launch to the world, at this moment, a renewed call for peace and dialogue. The commitment that involved these two countries during the long and difficult negotiations, as well as the fruit of peace and friendship, are indeed a model to be imitated,” the Pope noted.
“Today, forty years later, we renew our gratitude for the efforts of all the people who, in the governments and diplomatic delegations of both countries, gave their positive contribution to carry forward that path of peaceful resolution, thus fulfilling the yearnings for peace of the Argentine and Chilean people,” he added.
During the ceremony, Minister van Klaveren highlighted the work done by the Vatican to achieve peace between the two countries: “On behalf of the people of Chile and its government, I express my appreciation to the Holy See and to all those who made possible the signing of this agreement, an agreement that beyond its specific provisions, represents a legacy and a responsibility that we all share: that of protecting and promoting peace, not only for our nations, but as a common good for humanity. This anniversary reminds us that it is our daily task to keep this peace alive and to pass on to present and future generations the value of this friendship that we have so painstakingly built”.
“The Treaty of Peace and Friendship not only resolved a conflict, but established a solemn commitment of everlasting friendship between Chile and Argentina. The first article of this agreement states that the High Contracting Parties 'solemnly reiterate their commitment to preserve, strengthen and develop their ties of unalterable peace and perpetual friendship'. These words are a constant reminder of the greatness to which human understanding can lead. At a time when the world is facing multiple challenges and conflicts, where the other is dehumanized to justify violence over dialogue, the example of Chile and Argentina stands out as proof that, when the will exists, peace is possible, even in the most difficult circumstances,” the Minister commented.
The Minister concluded that “ the agreement, reached in 1984, has transcended time as an example of temperance and of the importance of diplomatic work in times of tension. By opting for dialogue, Chile and Argentina distanced themselves from an abyss that seemed inevitable, choosing instead to build a path of understanding and cooperation”.
The Chilean delegation that attended the ceremony was composed of the President of the Senate, José García-Ruminot; the Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, Eric Aedo; the Chilean Ambassador to the Holy See, Patricia Araya; the Chilean Ambassador to Argentina, José Antonio Viera-Gallo; the Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Fernando Chomalí; the Secretary General of Foreign Policy, Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen, and former members of the Chilean negotiating team for the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Ambassador (r) Milenko Skoknic and Maximiliano Jarpa.
An Argentine delegation, headed by the Argentine Ambassador to the Holy See, Luis Pablo Beltramino, and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See also attended.
Bilateral meetings
Prior to the ceremony, the Minister held a private audience with Pope Francis, with whom he discussed the scope of the treaty between Chile and Argentina. Later, he also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
During the day, the Chilean and Argentine delegations participated in the launching of the commemorative postage stamps of the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, together with representatives of Correos de Chile, Ignacio Liberman, and Argentina.