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Council of the EU of 18 March 2024 on final endorsement to bilateral trade agreement

EU-Chile: Council gives final endorsement to bilateral trade agreement

The Council today adopted the decision on the conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade (iTA) between the European Union and Chile. This decision marks the end of the internal ratification process within the EU and paves the way for the entry into force of the deal.

This agreement focuses on trade and investment liberalisation, exclusively within the EU's competence, while investment protection provisions are covered by the broader Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA), which is still in the ratification process within the member states. The iTA will expire when the AFA, after ratification by all member states, enters into force. The agreements aim to update the current EU-Chile association agreement and will strengthen EU-Chile political and economic relations and deepen cooperation and trade.

The EU is Chile's third-largest trade partner. Around 99.9% of EU exports will be tariff free on the entry into force of the agreement, which is expected to increase EU exports to Chile by up to €4.5 billion.

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HRVP Statement of 13 December 2023 on the signature of Advanced Framework Agreement

Chile: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell after the signature of the Advanced Framework Agreement

Thank you, dear Minister, [for Foreign Affairs of Chile] Alberto van Klaveren. Thank you to you, dear Ministers. Thank you, Vice-Presidents Nadia [Calviño Santamaría, Vice-President of Spain], Valdis [Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission] .

It is a great day today.

Allow me to start with brief remarks in English since we are in Brussels, in the European Union. But you will allow me to switch to Spanish for obvious reasons. Allow me to start [by] saying that it is a real honour and a great pleasure to welcome you here in Brussels.

Chile and the European Union, we are close allies. We have a privileged relationship.

I remember my visit to Chile in April last year, when I had the honor of meeting President [of Chile, Gabriel] Boric in such a historical place as La Moneda.

Back then, we discussed the agreement extensively and the President pushed me to do whatever I could in order to finally reach an agreement. That is what we have been doing, together with Vice-President Dombrovskis - thank you, Valdis, for your cooperation - to finalise these negotiations and conclude the agreement.

Therefore, I am really delighted to be here today to sign - in English, it is the "Advanced Framework Agreement" - with all of us, with you, with Vice-President Dombrovskis and with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and with the Spanish Vice-President of the government, Nadia.

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Council of the EU of 4 December 2023 on decision for modernised association agreement

EU-Chile: Council adopts decisions for a modernised association agreement

The Council today adopted two decisions to sign the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) and the interim Trade Agreement (iTA) with Chile, which together constitute an updated version of the EU-Chile Association Agreement currently in place.

The new agreement will strengthen EU-Chile political and economic relations and deepen cooperation and trade. It will help to jointly address new global challenges such as the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including global inflation, supply chain disruptions and the energy crisis.

The Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) consists of political and cooperation and trade and investment components. The interim Trade Agreement (iTA) deals with trade and investment liberalisation, those elements of the trade and investment component of the AFA that fall exclusively within the EU's competence, while investment protection provisions are covered by the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA).

This means that the iTA will only need be ratified by the EU and not by the individual member states.

The iTA will expire when the AFA, subject to ratification by all member states, enters into force.

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HRVP Speech of 12 September 2023 on 50th anniversary of the military coup in Chile

Chile: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP Plenary on 50th anniversary of the military coup

Muchas gracias, señora Presidenta.

Señoras y señores diputados, gracias por traer al Pleno [del Parlamento Europeo] la memoria de lo que ocurrió en Chile hace 50 años.

Y hace 20 [años], yo tuve el honor de estar en Santiago de Chile. Siento mucho no haber podido estar ahora.

Pero hace 20 [años] - es decir, 30 [años] después - estuve en La Moneda, en una ceremonia emotiva que consistió en abrir la puerta de la calle Morandé número 80. La calle Morandé es una de las calles que bordean el perímetro de La Moneda.

Es por esa puerta que salió el cadáver de [Salvador] Allende. Y después de que saliera el cadáver de Allende, la dictadura tapió la puerta, para que nadie se acordará de lo que había pasado allí.

Estuvo cerrada 30 años. Y 30 años después, hace 20 [años], en una sobria y emocionante ceremonia, se volvió a abrir el presidente [Ricardo] Lagos atravesó la calle Morandé desierta y después de recibir novedades de los carabineros, entró en La Moneda, por [la calle] Morandé 80.


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EC Press Release of 18 July 2023 on strengthening cooperation between EU and Chile

Global Gateway: EU and Chile strengthen cooperation on sustainable critical raw materials supply chains

As part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Summit (EU-CELAC) taking place in Brussels on 17 and 18 July, President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a partnership between the EU and Chile on sustainable raw materials value chains. The MoU was signed by Commissioner Thierry Breton and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile Alberto van Klaveren Stork.

In line with the EU's Global Gateway strategy and with the Critical Raw Materials Act, the partnership aims to deepen cooperation in the field of sustainable raw materials value chains that are necessary for the clean energy and digital transition of both partners. It also aims to develop a competitive and sustainable industry for processing raw materials and local value added in the mining sector, creating quality employment and sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to the mutual benefit of both sides.

President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: "It is a great pleasure for me to witness the signing of this partnership for the development of sustainable raw materials value chains between the EU and Chile. The Global Gateway will be one of the main drivers of our evolving partnership. We are like-minded, we share the same values, and we are partners of choice to become key global players in the clean energy and digital transition."

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EC Press Release of 17 July 2023 on EIB financing climate projects in Chile

Chile: EIB to finance climate action projects in Chile with more than €300 million including its first green mortgage loan outside Europe

€200 million loan to Banco del Estado de Chile to finance mortgages for new housing units with improved energy efficiency standards under Ecovivienda Program.

Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile to support Chile's renewable hydrogen industry with more than €100 million and help meet the country's target of 100% clean energy by 2050.

EIB and Ministry of Energy of Chile to further develop cooperation and financing actions that accelerates the energy transition in Chile.

During the EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, the European Investment Bank (EIB) today announced the signature of its first ever residential mortgage-based loan to finance access to energy efficient housing units outside the EU. The €200 million loan to Banco del Estado de Chile, guaranteed by the EU, finances mortgages for approximately 2,600 new housing units with improved energy efficiency standards.

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EEAS Statement of 5 September 2022 on the constitutional referendum in Chile

Chile: Statement by the Spokesperson on the constitutional referendum

Chile held a historic plebiscite on Sunday, when the Chilean people turned out peacefully in massive numbers and ultimately chose by a clear and large majority not to approve the proposed text of the new constitution.

The EU takes note of the commitment expressed by President Boric and across the political spectrum on the need to pursue the constitutional process, in keeping with the desire of the Chilean people for a new constitutional settlement that gathers the support of a wide majority of citizens.

The EU intends to continue strengthening its relationship with Chile, based on our long-standing partnership and on our shared values and interests and stands ready to share its experience of building more inclusive and more prosperous democratic societies.
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HRVP Blog of 3 May 2022 on showing strong EU commitment to work with Latin America

Showing a strong EU commitment to work with Latin America

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission

"Last week, I travelled to Chile, making my second visit to Latin America during my mandate. Chile is an important partner of the EU and we are about to finalise the modernisation of our 2002 Association Agreement, the oldest one in the region.

It was the right time for me to visit Chile. The country experienced a violent and long "estallido social" (social outbreak) that started in October 2019 and which resulted in a Constituent Convention that will culminate in a referendum on a new Constitution to substitute the one inherited from the times of Pinochet. And Chile has also just elected a new left-wing government, which is a trend in current Latin American politics and which will also have an important international impact.

The war in Ukraine prevented me from attending the inauguration of the new President, Gabriel Boric, on 11 March. His victory in November 2021, with 56% of the vote, was followed by an exemplary transition of power with the former President Piñera and with the losing candidate conceding as soon as the result became clear, even before the counting had finished.

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EEAS Statement of 1 May 2022 on conclusion of the HRVP's visit to Chile

Chile: High Representative Josep Borrell concludes visit, highlights importance of modernised EU-Chile Association Agreement

High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell visited Chile from 27 April to 1 May to strengthen EU-Chile relations at a crucial time.

HR/VP Borrell met with the President of Chile Gabriel Boric as well as other government representatives, where he outlined that Chile is a key partner for the EU in strengthening multilateralism and regional integration, fighting climate change, advancing the digitalization of our economies, and promoting sustainable and inclusive trade.

In particular, HR/VP discussed with President Boric ​​the importance of modernising the 2002 Association Agreement to promote political dialogue in key areas as well as new standards in the field of sustainable development, gender equality and fair trade.

HR/VP underlined that the Association Agreement acquires greater relevance in the current geopolitical context to defend our common values and define joint answers to the challenges of the transition towards a greener, more digital and fairer society.

HR/VP thanked Chile for its strong support in standing against Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. In this regard, the importance of diversifying energy supply and promoting renewable energies to reduce dependence on Russian supplies was a key component of HR/VP's visit.

HR/VP Borrell therefore visited the European Southern Observatory (ESO) to intensify cooperation on science and technology and the solar power plant Cerro Dominador, a symbol of the EU-Chile technology and investment cooperation for the promotion of renewable energies, a sector in which 40% of the investments in Chile come from European companies.

EEAS Statement of 30 April 2022 on joint press point with Minister for Energy

Chile: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the joint press point with Minister for Energy

Es una gran satisfacción, ministro [de Energía de Chile, Claudio Huepe], para los responsables técnicos de esta joya tecnológica que fue iniciada por empresas españolas y que ha sido posible gracias a la contribución financiera de la Unión europea.

Estamos ante un prodigio tecnológico. Ante una obra maestra de la inteligencia humana, porque es capaz de, con energía solar, producir electricidad de noche, cuando no hay sol. 13 o 14 horas de electricidad en medio de la oscuridad. Una gran ventaja en estos momentos en los que a las energías alternativas se les pide que no sean intermitentes. Esta es alternativa, pero continua.

Y es el momento también para hablar de las energías alternativas por razones de seguridad. Hay que limitar la dependencia energética. Para Europa hoy este es un gran problema con la guerra en Ucrania y con los cortes de suministro del gas. Y sé que para Chile también la autonomía energética es una cuestión importante. Es el momento de acelerar en las energías renovables. Y eso requiere tecnología y financiación. Y quisiera resaltar, ministro, que el 40% de la inversión en energías renovables en Chile es inversión financiada por los Estados de la Unión Europea. 40% en renovables.

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