Posted on

Conference Center, Far Eastern Federal University
Russky Island, Vladivostok
08 September 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III briefly met with President Sebastian Piñera of Chile before the conference of all APEC economic leaders started officially.

Both leaders talked on moving forward from the existing cooperation between Philippines and Chile in the areas of trade, responsible mining, geothermal energy development and information exchange in increasing revenue collection and curbing tax evasion.

Chile expressed its interest in learning from the Philippines and increasing the volume of interaction between the two countries particularly on its geothermal energy undertakings. There was a suggestion from the Philippines that a consultation be held to effectively create a roadmap to enhance bilateral relations.

President Piñera invited President Aquino to come visit Chile soon and the gesture just showed how his government wants to really establish closer ties with the Philippines.

Both countries are also looking into a cooperation in aquaculture and even consider bringing in Filipino teachers of the English language to a large part of the population in Chile.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Ambassador Alejandro Mosquera, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, and Presidential Protocol Chief Ambassador Miguel Perez-Rubio joined the President during the meeting.

Among those who accompanied President Piñera, on the other hand, were Foreign Affairs Minister Alfredo Moreno, Economy, Development, and Reconstruction Minister Juan Andres Talavera, Vice Minister of Commerce Ambassador Alvaro Jana and Director of Asia-Pacific Ambassador Jose Miguel dela Cruz.

Both leaders also had a pleasant exchange of stories on their shared Spanish origins and influences during the meeting.

Chile and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in July 4, 1946.

 *  *  *