Athens, 28/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Chile Association Council met for the very first time on Thursday in Athens, under the chairmanship of Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear, and Greek Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Tasso Giannitis. A joint press release states that "ministers highlighted more particularly the relevance of strengthening the EU-Chile consultation and coordination at the Security Council of the United Nations" (of which Chile is currently a member).
At political level, both parties agreed to gear dialogue "without ruling out a priori any topic for discussion" on: strengthening of democracies; - protection and protection of human rights; - sustainable development; - promotion of peace and stability, confidence and security building measures and prevention of conflicts; - fight against terrorism, organised transnational crime, traffic of arms, and international control of illegal drugs; - human security; - and measures against illegal immigration and against the trafficking of human beings; - as well as sustainable development.
For this first meeting since the association and free trade agreement took effect in February, ministers approved the rules of procedure of the Association Council, joint committees and special committees set in place by the agreement. They welcomed the ratification of the agreement by the European Parliament and invited national parliaments to speed up the process. Consultation between the EU and Chile must be launched as soon as possible, in order to adjust cooperation priorities for the 2003-2006 period depending on the new agreement.