Josep Borrell meets with his Chilean counterpart, Teodoro Ribera

Acting minister Borrell congratulated his Chilean counterpart on his recent appointment. During the meeting, they spoke about issues of regional interest, and particularly exchanged impressions on the situation of the crisis in Venezuela and the outlook for the future. The two ministers expressed their concern over the future of the country and argued in favour of looking for a negotiated, democratic solution with respect for fundamental rights.

They both took stock of the state of bilateral relations. The two countries have close relations and are strategic partners with frequent visits by senior officials to one side of the Atlantic or the other. In this regard, acting minister Borrell congratulated his Chilean counterpart on the success and the interest in the acts and events organised by Chile in commemoration of the arrival of the vessel 'Winnipeg' in Chile in 1939, attended by the Acting Minister for Justice of Spain, Dolores Delgado, and the State Secretary for International Cooperation, for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia.

The two ministers undertook to collaborate in strengthening relations and agreed to hold annual political consultations as soon as possible. They also addressed the commemoration of the 5th centenary of the circumnavigation of the world, to which end both Spain and Chile have set up national commissions and, in particular, the events that will take place in Chile in 2020 to commemorate the anniversary of the crossing of the Strait of Magallanes within the framework of the great feat of the first trip round the world.

To end, the two ministers exchanged views on the state of negotiations for the renewal of the Association Agreement between Chile and the European Union, which dates back to 2002. Chile and Europe are firmly committed to the negotiations and hope to conclude them as soon as possible.

Non official translation