On the first day of a historic state visit to the Republic of Chile, President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca held bilateral talks with President of the Republic of Chile Michelle Bachelet, at the La Moneda Palace, in Santiago. This is the first state visit by a Maltese Head of State to the Republic of Chile, the DOI reports.

During the bilateral meeting, both Presidents spoke about the development of relations between the peoples and the authorities of Malta and Chile, from one based on the diplomatic relations which began in 1989, to a more profound relationship “between our communities and our governments.”

The State Visit by the President of Malta also marks a significant moment in the relations between both Malta and Chile, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, between the Government of Malta and the Government of Chile.

The agreement was signed by Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change José Herrera, on behalf of the Maltese Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Development.

President Coleiro Preca said that the agreement will greatly facilitate regular consultations between Malta and Chile, on bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest, adding that it shall provide a platform from which “to encourage greater closeness between our nations, to move forward.”

“Despite our geographical distance, our nations are both maritime states, with much to share, mainly in the areas of trade, investment, education and tourism,” President Coleiro Preca stated, while addressing a joint press conference with President of the Republic of Chile Michelle Bachelet.

The President said that Malta’s upcoming hosting of the international ‘Our Oceans’ conference will continue the spirit of active innovation which characterised the conference when it was hosted by Chile in 2015.

“Although Malta is a small country in size and population, it has a unique geo-strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is at the crossroads of two continents, and has always historically been a most important cradle of civilizations and cultures. Our political connections with the rest of the world are further strengthened, by our membership within the Commonwealth and the European Union. Malta has always been an ideal gateway for dialogue and collaboration, to create connections across different continents and regions, and to bring together diverse communities and peoples.” The President said.

President Coleiro Preca also commended the meetings which were held earlier this year, between StartUp Chile and a number of Maltese stakeholders, whilst encouraging the creation of further opportunities for the business communities of both countries, to continue to create opportunities for collaboration, for the mutual benefit of the peoples of our nations.

The President also called for the strengthening of the good relations which already exist between Chile, and the European Union, which are already having a positive effect in the areas of climate change and sustainable development.

Here, President Coleiro Preca commended President Bachelet’s deep sense of commitments and her practical initiatives, in line with the Paris Agreement, to address the challenges presented by Climate Change.

Lastly, President Coleiro Preca appealed for civil society organisations, in both Malta and Chile to collaborate of issues of poverty, discrimination, and injustice, since both countries have a lot to learn from each other, about how best to tackle such issues, by promoting an approach rooted in universal human rights.

“This important collaboration will be evidence of our deep and common commitment, towards the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, and it’s Sustainable Development Goals. We shall ensure that we are building sustainable and effective peace, prosperity, and wellbeing, for all the families and communities of Malta and Chile, and all the peoples of our world,” the President concluded.

Addressing the guests at an official State Lunch hosted in honour of the President of Malta by President of the Republic of Chile Michelle Bachelet, President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, said that the “fruitful deliberations” which took place as part of the historic state visit to the Republic of Chile, “have given me much confidence in the future, to strengthen the relations between our governments and our peoples, in various areas of mutual interest.”

The President also noted that both countries share certain fundamental values. “Namely, we both take pride in our commitment to the importance of peace, of democratic participation, and of social solidarity, all of which are essential, to ensure a dignified life for our citizens,” President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said.

In light of this, President Coleiro Preca encouraged the Maltese and the Chilean Governments to continue to build stronger partnerships between the business, cultural and social communities of Malta and Chile, as in this way, both Malta and Chile shall contribute towards sustainable peace and equitable prosperity, for all the peoples of their respective nations.

President Coleiro Preca called for further person-to-person contact between both nations, through tourism, through education and through culture, and added that by working together “we shall be making active efforts towards achieving peace, prosperity, and wellbeing for all” – efforts, which will create a better future for both present and future generations, the President said.

President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, visited ‘Casa de la Mujer’ in Santiago - (The Women’s Home), a home which aims to promote the participation of women at the local level, in health, housing, education, work, sport, leisure and recreation areas, social and civil rights, education and job training, actions that the President of the Republic of Chile Michelle Bachelet has committed to through the establishment of a Comprehensive Gender Agenda - an agenda which was explained in detail by the Vice Minister for Women and Gender Equality Bernarda Perez Carrillo.

Addressing those present, President Coleiro Preca reiterated her appeal, for women to be properly represented across society, including in a country’s highest institution, such as Parliament. The President said that the perspectives of both women and men need to be taken into consideration at all times, so as to guarantee a good future for us, and for our children.

At ‘Casa de la Mujer’, President Coleiro Preca was accompanied by Mr Edgar Preca, and Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change José Herrera.