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Chile

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Map of Chile Last reviewed: 20 February 2009

Country information

International relations

Relations with neighbours

Chile has frontiers with Argentina, Peru and Bolivia and has had historical rivalries with each of these neighbours. Chile expanded to its present size in the 1880s. Following her victory over Peru and Bolivia in the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile gained the northern provinces of Antofagasta (from Bolivia) and Tarapacá (from Peru). There has been no armed conflict between Chile and her neighbours since 1883, but memories of the war and its territorial consequences have been an enduring source of tension in their relations ever since. It was not until 1999 that Chile and Peru signed an agreement which finally completed implementation of the peace settlement in respect of their land frontier. Chile and Bolivia have not had full diplomatic relations since 1978, when Bolivia broke them off in pursuit of her continuing claim for restoration of her sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean, which was lost in the war.

Chile's relations with her neighbours have, however, grown progressively stronger in recent years. In 1984 Chile and Argentina signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship following the settlement of the Beagle Channel Dispute, and in the 1990s the two countries settled over 20 other delimitation disputes. Although occasional diplomatic tensions continue with Peru, including over the delimitation of maritime borders, the political relationship is cordial: President Toledo of Peru attended the inauguration of President Bachelet in March 2006. Over the last 10 years Chile and Bolivia have, despite their lack of full diplomatic relations, established closer contacts and discussed possible cooperation in areas such as bilateral trade, economic integration and energy links. In 2000 Bolivia appointed a Consul General in Santiago, a move reciprocated by Chile in 2001. In December 2005, Chile signed its first bilateral agreement with Bolivia: a trade agreement granting a zero tariff to all the Bolivian products imported in Chile, except for flours and their by-products. The 2 countries will also sign an agreement that allows the citizens of both Bolivia and Chile to travel to the other country without needing either a visa or a passport. Former President Lagos' attendance at the inauguration of Bolivian President Evo Morales was seen as a first step in new relations between the 2 countries. Nevertheless, the Bolivian claim for access to the Pacific may continue to hamper further development of relations.

Chile's relations with the international community

The Government of Chile has defined 4 foreign policy goals: giving priority to Latin America; strengthening Chile's presence in multilateral institutions; implementing trade agreements reached with the EU, US and South Korea; and consolidating Chile's presence in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

Like Europe, Asia accounts for a fifth of Chile's foreign trade. Chile is a member of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation organisation. APEC exists to promote economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, and has helped to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers. APEC's membership comprises 21 economies in the region. Chile chaired the organisation in 2004. The annual Asia-Pacific Leaders' Meeting was held in Chile on 20-21 November 2004.

Chile is also an Associate Member of Mercosur, the common market of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela. Although Chile has not yet joined the Mercosur trade area, it is politically committed to Mercosur's strategic vision of regional political and economic integration. Like Bolivia, Chile participates in Mercosur's Political Consultation and Coordination Forum.

Chile is an active member of the United Nations and was one of the non-permanent members of the Security Council for the period from 1 January 2003 until 31 December 2004. Chile's involvement in the UN includes a contribution of personnel from the armed forces to the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Chile is also a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS). In May 2005, the former Chilean Interior Minister, José Miguel Insulza, was elected Secretary General. In May 2007 Chile was officially invited to join the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation) where it would be the only Latin American member after Mexico.  The invitation has been seen as recognition of Chile's economic and political stability.

In May 2007 Chile was officially invited to join the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation) where it would be the only Latin American member after Mexico. The invitation has been seen as recognition of Chile's economic and political stability.

Relations with the European Union (EU)

On 18 November 2002, the EU and Chile signed an Association Agreement to liberalise trade and increase political dialogue and co-operation between the two sides. Most of the Trade Chapter came into force on 1 February 2003. The Chilean National Congress has completed its ratification procedures for the Agreement, as have now all EU members. The UK was among the first EU member states to ratify the Agreement.

The Agreement replaces the EU/Chile Framework and Co-operation Agreement of 1996. It establishes an area of free trade in goods, services, public contracts, liberalisation of investment and capital flows, and protection of intellectual property rights. With effect from 1 February 2003, 91% of EU products could be imported into Chile tariff-free and 85% of Chilean products could enter the EU tariff-free. All remaining tariffs will be phased out by 2010.

In September 2002 Chile and the EU signed a scientific and technological co-operation agreement. The agreement allows scientists to take part in the other side's research programmes and provides for visits and exchanges, joint conferences and workshops, scientific networks and training, and for the exchange and sharing of facilities and equipment.

Relations with the UK

Our relations have historic roots. Bernardo O'Higgins, one of the heroes of Chile's struggle for independence from Spain, who became the country's first head of state, received part of his education in Richmond upon Thames. Admiral Lord Cochrane, a famous Royal Navy officer, founded the Chilean Navy and fought successfully in defence of Chilean independence in the early 19th century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the British led the commercial development of the nitrate fields in northern Chile.

The modern relationship between Britain and Chile encompasses political dialogue, trade and investment, defence, science, culture and education, as well as social ties. The 2 countries have a shared interest in removing barriers to trade, promoting sustainable development, opposing international terrorism and fighting the illegal trade in drugs. There is an extensive programme of cooperation between the two countries on climate change and energy issues. A recently opened area of co-operation is peace support operations. Since October 2003 a Chilean Army platoon has served alongside British Army peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Council, the UK's international organisation for educational and cultural relations, has an office in Santiago to promote bilateral links. The overarching aims of the British Council in Chile are to promote UK education, to build partnerships between British and Chilean experts in the fields of governance and human rights and to win recognition of British artistic creativity. Further information about the work of the Council is available on its website. The website of the British Embassy in Santiago includes a section containing information about local events and activities for the British-Chilean Community in Chile.

In November 2008 the Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley visited the UK to sign a scholarship agreement between Chile, Universities UK and the Russell Group. The education agreement is direct follow-up to the commitment made by the Prime Minister and President Bachelet during her visit to London in April to expand educational links between the UK and Chile. Chile is investing USD$6billion (funded by reserves from the boom in copper prices) in an ambitious programme to expand the numbers of Chileans studying overseas. At present, Chile funds 200 overseas students; their target is to be funding 6500 by 2012. They want a significant number of these students to study in the UK. So do we and the British Council is playing an important role.

British Council, Chile

Scientific links with the UK

The European Southern Observatory (ESO), a nine country European inter-governmental organisation for astronomical research, operates 2 major observatories in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The UK joined ESO in July 2002. The UK is also a member of the Gemini Observatory, a 7-country collaborative project that has constructed 2 identical 8-metre telescopes in both hemispheres, the first (Gemini North) at Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the second (Gemini South) at Cerro Pachon in Chile. The Gemini partner countries include the UK, the United States, Argentina and Chile. Membership of ESO and Gemini will help to keep the UK at the forefront of international astronomical research.

Recent inward visits

  • President Michelle Bachelet visited the UK in April 2008 as a Guest of Government.  During her visit she had an audience of HM The Queen at Windsor Castle, a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and a lunch with senior City figures hosted by the Lord Mayor.  President Bachelet also gave speeches on globalisation and and democracy in Latin America (at Lancaster House and the LSE respectively) and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.. She also participated in the Progressive Governance Summit on “Promoting Prosperity” on 4-5 April in Hertfordshire. She was accompanied for her visit by Finance Minister Andres Velasco, Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley and Environment Minister Ana Lya Uriarte.
  • Several Chilean Ministers visited the UK in 2006 including Minister for Public Works Eduardo Bitran in May, Minister for Mining and Energy Karen Poniachik in October and Minister for Transport Sergio Espejo in November.
  • Former President Lagos visited the UK on 12 October 2005, accompanied by Former Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker. They met the Prime Minister and Her Majesty The Queen.
  • Foreign Minister Walker also called on Secretary of State Jack Straw and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Lord Triesman on 17 October 2005.
  • A parliamentary delegation from Chile visited the UK from 27-28 January 2005.

Recent outward visits

  • Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister of State at the FCO with responsibility for Latin America, visited Chile from 9-12 March.  He led the UK delegation to the second round of UK-Chile High Level Political Talks and held meetings with President Bachelet, Energy Minister Marcelo Tokman, Environment Minister Ana Lya Uriarte and UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, former President Ricardo Lagos. Members of the All-Party Chile Group of the Houses of Parliament visited Chile from 4-8 September 2007.  They held meetings with the Acting Foreign Minister, Alberto van Klaveren and members of the UK/Chile Groups of both houses of the Chilean Congress.     
  • Members of the All-Party Chile Group of the Houses of Parliament visited Chile from 4-8 September 2007. They held meetings with the Acting Foreign Minister, Alberto van Klaveren and members of the UK/Chile Groups of both houses of the Chilean Congress.
  • The Rt Hon John Hutton MP, the then Work and Pensions Secretary, visited Santiago from 15-18 March 2007 to participate in a seminar on Globalisation and the New Social Model. In addition to discussions with President Bachelet, he held meetings with the then Minister for the Presidency, Paulina Veloso, and his opposite number Osvaldo Andrade.
  • HRH Princess Anne visited Chile from 22 – 25th January 2007. During her stay she visited the Chilean Antarctic Institute in Punta Arenas, British communities in Punta Arena and Valparaiso/Vina del Mar, Paicabi (a child protection NGO), and took part in a number of Navy-related activities. In Santiago she participated in a Royal and Sun Alliance Corporate Social Responsibility project in school in an underprivileged sector, a scout fundraising event, and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of new headquarters of the British and Commonwealth Fire Company.
  • Lord Triesman visited Chile on 18 and 19 December 2006. He met Foreign Minister Foxley, Minister to the President Veloso and Deputy Defence Minister Garcia, as well as co-chairing the first-ever UK-Chile High Level Political Talks with his opposite number Alberto van Klaveren.
  • First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC, visited the Chilean city of Valparaiso to attend ExpoNaval, the biennial maritime and defence trade fair.
  • Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, visited Chile 9-13 March 2006 to represent the UK at the inauguration of President Bachelet.
  • The Lord Mayor of London visited Chile 7 – 11 September 2005. His engagements included calls on the Economy Minister, the President of the Stock Exchange and the Mayor of Santiago. 
  • The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, visited Chile from 2-3 March 2005. His engagements included a meeting with the President and the Foreign Minister, a lunch in the Diplomatic Academy, a VIP dinner at the Ambassador's Residence, visits to the British-Chilean Institute of Culture and the Circo del Mundo (a youth development circus), and the inauguration of the British and Commonwealth Fire Company's new site.

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