Media Release
26 August, 2009
Visit to Chile
On Wednesday, 26 August, I arrived in Santiago de Chile on my first official visit to Chile. This is the first bilateral visit by an Australian Foreign Minister since 2000.
Chile and Australia enjoy very good bilateral relations and I look forward to working to strengthen our relations over the next two days in Santiago de Chile.
Today I met with Minister for Education, Ms Monica Jimenez. We discussed the progress our two countries have made in education and training cooperation since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DEEWR and the Chilean Ministry of Education in 2004. DEEWR opened an office in Santiago in April 2004. Chile is Australia’s fourth largest source of students from Latin America, with over 1,000 students enrolled in Australian institutions.
I advised Minister Jimenez of two new education cooperation projects by the Australian Government that will strengthen links between Australia and Chile.
Through the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) the Government will contribute $20,000 to the English Open Doors program for the development of English language kits for Chilean schools. The Government has also invited a delegation of Chilean educators to visit Australia to share perspectives on school teaching and leadership in education.
Following these meetings, I met Vice-Minister for Education Christian Martinez at Liceo de Ninas School No 1 where we presented the school with a range of Australian books.
Liceo de Ninas No 1 School was founded in 1894 and was the first high school established for girls in Chile. The school has an outstanding academic record and an impressive alumni of distinguished Chilean women, including President Bachelet.
I also met today with Minister for Finance, Dr Andres Velasco. We discussed Chile’s accession to the OECD and the possibility of concluding a Double Taxation Agreement between our two countries. We also discussed the impact of the global economic crisis on both countries and the forthcoming G20 Leaders meeting. I reiterated Australia’s view that the G20 is the best international institution to provide leadership through the current global economic problems.
Following the discussion with Minister Velasco, I met with members of the Australia Chile Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Business Club. I congratulated the members on the ongoing success and development of Australia’s business and economic relationship with Chile. Australia is a significant source of foreign direct investment in Chile, which is our third largest trading partner in Latin America.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555