Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile

This morning Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, assisted to the Public Account of President Michelle Bachelet's administration to the Nation.

Regarding foreign affairs, the President stated that for better development we need to be in the world. She affirmed, "Chile has a vocation for integration and privileges the roads of multilateralism. We have taken this position in every international forum and we will keep on insisting on it. We have worked in global and regional integration, and our allies recognize Chile's leadership in this area. Integration is what we want in a long-term. We signed various new trade agreements and ratified 6 conventions to avoid double taxation with countries such as Japan, Argentina, and China. We also updated the customs legislation to simplify trade operations".

She highlighted that Chile, from its Pro Tempore Presidency, "subscribed to a route map to make progress in the financial integration with Mercosur. Chile also organized a President's Summit in Puerto Varas, and worked in strengthening Chile's visibility to Asia Pacific with an intense agenda on cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)".

She highlighted that Chile, from its Pro Tempore Presidency, "subscribed to a route map to make progress in the financial integration with Mercosur. Chile also organized a President's Summit in Puerto Varas, and worked in strengthening Chile's visibility to Asia Pacific with an intense agenda on cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)". On integration, she informed that 10 offers for pre-qualification of the Aguas Negras tunnel have been received to tender this second semester.

On integration, she informed that 10 offers for pre-qualification of the Aguas Negras tunnel have been received to tender this second semester.

President Bachelet also focused on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Modernization Bill. "These advances have been accomplished thanks to a foreign policy based on a steady behaviour. We believe in rules and institutions as paths to resolve any differences. In the framework of current agreements, our opening to integration is inseparable of the defense of our national sovereignty", she reaffirmed.

There was also an emphasis on the importance given to the environment in this administration, especially regarding oceans. President Michelle Bachelet announced the creation of two new Marine Parks: one in the Juan Fernández Archipelago (13.190km2) and one in the Cabo de Hornos and the Diego Ramírez Islands zone (100.000km2).

"With these parks, Chile will have a historic one million kilometers squared of a completely protected sea, positioning itself as a world leader in marine conservation" she emphasized. Additionally, "we have begun a consultation process with the Rapa Nui community to establish a protected coastal marine area for multiple uses, as promised last year".

"Marine parks and onshore parks are aiming at reducing the carbon dioxide emissions, as we agreed on the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. With its ratification in Congress at the beginning of this year, Chile assumed many commitments towards the climate. Among these commitments, there is a reduction of 30% the amount of polluting emissions for 2030 and also a reforestation. In front of the greatest environmental challenge for humanity today, our country decided to be part of the solution", she stated.

President Michelle Bachelet also announced she will call the Permanent Group on Climate Change, which consists of experts and representatives from all sectors of our country. The group will "come up with solid proposals to reduce carbon emissions and to define preventive measures to fight against more frequent and serious local impacts".