05/09/2022 (Agence Europe) – Noting the clear rejection by the Chilean people of the draft constitution submitted to them the previous day, the spokesperson for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, welcomed on Monday 5 September the willingness of Chilean President Gabriel Boric and the majority of the country’s political forces to “pursue the constitutional process” aimed at providing Chile with a new constitutional settlement that is supported by a wide majority of Chilean citizens (see EUROPE 12590/20). The EU is reiterating its willingness to conclude the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement in order to deepen bilateral exchanges, he added in a statement. The rejection by 62% of voters is a setback for the Chilean left-wing government, which supported a constitutional text establishing a social state, gender equality and the autonomy of indigenous peoples. (MB)