In Brussels on Thursday 16 November, the EU and Chile officially launched negotiations to update their association agreement of 2002.
The update of this agreement aims to deepen bilateral relations in areas of global challenges - the climate change programme and sustainable development goals for 2030 - and economic, social and environmental cooperation in a broad range of areas - space, research, efficient use of energy, digital policy, governance of the oceans, disaster preparedness, SMEs, youth policy, education and training, decent work, employment, gender equality and women's empowerment policies.
Concerning trade, the aim is to graft the missing modern elements onto an agreement that has already proven its worth in terms of market access: investment, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property rights, including geographical indications and sustainable development.
“We will remain ambitious and forward-looking in ensuring we equip ourselves with a progressive and resourceful modernised association agreement”, stresses a joint press release by the Commission and the EU External Action Service.
On the commercial plank, the aim is to complete a “trade agreement of the highest calibre that covers all issues, including those that reflect our shared values, such as trade and sustainable development, help for small and medium-sized companies, anti-corruption, and trade and gender”, the press release adds.
The second round of talks will launch in Santiago in early 2018. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)