Brussels, 24/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday in Brussels the EU/Chile Association Council met up under the chairmanship of Luis Amado, the president of the Council of the EU and the Chilean foreign affairs minister, Alejandro Foxley. Javier Solana also took part in the meeting. The final declaration indicated that the two parties had decided to work together in order “to find the best ways to reinforce their political dialogue and cooperation” and make political dialogue, “into a more effective instrument that reflects a new phase in our political relationship”. Ministers mentioned developments in Europe, particularly after the most recent expansion of the EU. They also welcomed the “concrete advances” in regional Latin American integration and underlined the fact that integration was visible proof of greater understanding and solidarity between nations and their peoples. Ministers made a firm commitment to preparations for the EU/Latin American summit planned for May 2008 in Lima. Mr Amado was happy to inform the press that: “We share the same values. We have the same approach in human rights and democracy”.
The declaration also explained that ministers had: 1) satisfactorily taken note of the “very positive cooperation” and the Commission had provided information on preparations for cooperation in the three priority areas indicated in the 2007-13 Strategic Document for Chile: social cohesion, higher education, innovation and competitiveness; 2) taken note of the progress in implementing the EU/Chile Agreement on science and technology; 3) examined the trade chapter in the Association Agreement, four years after its entry into force by recognising the “increasing dynamism in bilateral trade relations”.
Ministers also discussed the situation and the prospects of talks underway on agriculture, processed farm products and fisheries, as well as future negotiations on clauses concerning services and the movement of persons; 4) exchanged views on the question of intellectual property rights, with a view to the EU-Chile dialogue that is expected to “contribute to effective protection of these rights”; 5) acknowledged that the EU-Chile sectoral dialogues in the context of the Association Agreement, like the dialogue underway on employment and social policies, represents a “new approach that entails strengthening and deepening of our bilateral relationship”. Ministers also noted the intention of parties to pursue this dialogue with regard to pension schemes and employment policies aimed at promoting equal opportunities between men and women; 6) welcomed the fact that Chile is the “first country in the world to sign a horizontal agreement with the EU on a number of aspects of air services” and noted the intention to strengthen reciprocal relations with regard to air transport; and 7) were briefed on the situation concerning the expected decision by Chile to adopt the Digital TV Standard. Both parties also signed the additional protocol to the Association Agreement in order to take account of Bulgaria and Romania's membership to the EU. (mg)