Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren met this Thursday with his Bolivian counterpart Fernando Aramayo in Santiago to bolster bilateral ties, suspended since 1974 over the maritime issue. They signed protocols to modernize trade and a memorandum on tourism, showing interest in opening airspace and updating infrastructure. The diplomats highlighted progress toward potentially restoring diplomatic relations.
The meeting occurred Thursday afternoon in Santiago, where the foreign ministers discussed economic and commercial issues between Chile and Bolivia. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been suspended since 1974 due to disputes over Bolivia's maritime access.
During the encounter, they signed two protocols to update and deepen Economic Complementation Agreement No. 22. These include chapters on trade, gender, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and cooperatives, while expanding the Tariff Relief Program. They also signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism to promote cooperation in promoting and developing this sector.
Both sides expressed interest in progressing toward greater airspace openness to enhance connectivity and exchange, as well as modernizing the Sica Sica pipeline and other matters. At the end, van Klaveren emphasized that 'the presence in Chile of Foreign Minister Aramayo truly marks a milestone in our bilateral relationship,' reflecting a path pursued by both governments.
He added that it opens 'great possibilities' in economic, political, cultural, and human spheres, appreciating the gesture from Bolivia's new government, in power for two months, by sending its top foreign affairs representative. For his part, Aramayo celebrated 'a substantial advance' in a short timeframe, with a nine-point agenda covering migration, trade, and tourism issues.
He highlighted the Chilean Congress's approval of the Driver's License Homologation Agreement and the Agreement on Visa Exemptions for Diplomats from both countries, expressing thanks: 'It is truly a gift for us.' Finally, he stated that the agreements 'account for a good path we are traversing, in the common aspiration to restore diplomatic relations in the shortest time possible'.
