THE Philippines and Chile are moving to deepen economic and maritime cooperation as the two nations mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro renewed Manila’s commitment to stronger ties during a meeting with newly installed Chilean President José Antonio Kast Rist in Santiago.
Lazaro paid a courtesy call to Kast at the Palacio de La Moneda, where they discussed areas of mutual interest, including the recently concluded negotiations for a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The agreement is particularly significant for Manila since it would become the Philippines’ first free trade agreement with a country in Latin America.
Lazaro and Kast agreed that the CEPA could serve as a major platform for bringing their countries closer economically.
The talks also covered expanded cooperation in the maritime sector and greater people-to-people exchanges.
“The Pacific Ocean does not separate us, it links our destinies,” Lazaro told Kast.
Lazaro also conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s greetings to Kast, who assumed office last March, and extended Marcos’ invitation for Kast to visit the Philippines.
While in Santiago, Lazaro also had bilateral discussions with Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna.
The Philippines and Chile formally established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.
The two countries are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, providing an additional avenue for cooperation in the wider Pacific region.
There are about 1,017 Filipinos living and working in Chile as of the end of 2025.
JAVIER JOE ISMAEL
