Sánchez reaffirms to Piñera the important historical ties of friendship and cooperation that unite Spain and Chile

2021.9.7

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Moncloa Palace, Madrid

During the meeting, the leaders were in agreement on how to tackle the major global challenges. Sánchez and Piñera discussed the many issues of common interest, such as the evolution of vaccination and pandemics, the fight against climate change and Antarctic research.

The president of the Government of Spain stressed "the extremely important historical ties of friendship and cooperation that unite the two nations at all levels, and Spain's interest in continuing to deepen these ties". During the meeting, Pedro Sánchez underlined Spain's support for the Chilean constituent process, which is evidence of the fluid relations that exist between Spain and Chile. In this regard, Sánchez has conveyed to Piñera the Government's interest in deepening institutional dialogue in these "transcendental moments for Chile".

Trade relations between Spain and Chile, with great potential, are excellent. A reflection of this is the large presence of Spanish companies in Chile and their interest in continuing to work there. In this regard, the President of the Government of Spain stressed that this collaboration could be extended to sectors such as energy, green hydrogen, water resources, digitalisation, smart cities, cybersecurity, health, environment and infrastructure.

In the first half of 2021, Spain increased its exports to Chile by more than 33% compared to the same period in 2020, with a value of almost 800 million euros. Spain imported more than 662 million euros from Chile, a year-on-year increase of more than 12%.

Spain remains firmly committed to making progress in the negotiations on the EU-Chile Association Agreement, as Sánchez reminded Piñera during the meeting.

Antarctic research and climate change

Spain and Chile are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, an objective that our country includes in the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law. During the Ibero-American Summit in Andorra, the two countries jointly presented a special communiqué on climate change and the environment, and consolidated their special harmony when Spain hosted the COP-25 in Madrid under the Chilean presidency.

The excellent collaboration in the field of science is reflected in the fact that nearly a hundred Spanish scientists work in various Chilean institutions and in European and international institutions located in Chile, such as the European Southern Observatory and the Alma radio telescope. Both countries also cooperate in Antarctic research, marked by the regular stopover of research vessels and members of the Spanish Antarctic Campaign in Chile. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty in Madrid.

Non official translation