IP/06/1500

Brussels, 31 October 2006

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit , and Chile, 4-8 November 2006

The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit Uruguay on 4-5 November, Argentina on 6 November and Chile on 7-8 November 2006. In Montevideo, the Commissioner will participate in the XVI Iberoamerican Summit of Heads of State and Government and will hold bilateral meetings with key leaders. She will also sign an aviation agreement with Uruguay. In Argentina and Chile, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will meet senior representatives of the government of each country. In Argentina she will also participate in the -EU Business Forum.

Uruguay, 4-5 November On her second trip to Uruguay as European Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will represent the Commission, which for the first time has been invited to in the XVI Iberoamerican Summit. She will address the Heads of State and Government on Europe’s actions addressing the challenges and opportunities of migration, which are the main topic of this year’s Summit. The Commission and the Iberoamerican Summit share the same agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean. Last May in Vienna they signed a Memorandum of Understanding that launched a co-operation framework between the two parties. Cooperation will cover areas of common interest such as migration, social cohesion, regional integration and education. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: “I am very pleased that the European Commission will attend this Summit for the first time. Links between Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe are very strong and we are committed to working together to find solutions to common issues such as migration. The Iberoamerican Summit is doing an excellent job promoting dialogue between all the players in the region as well as supporting their political and economic development. I am convinced that, with our new memorandum of understanding, co-operation between our organisations will flourish and make a significant contribution to strengthening the bonds between our regions“. While in Montevideo, she will also hold bilateral meetings with key leaders in the region. Argentina, 6 November In Argentina, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will meet with the Minister for Foreign Relations, Jorge Taiana, Vice-President and President of the Senate, Daniel Osvaldo Scioli, and the first lady of Argentina and Senator, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Discussions will focus on the strengthening of the bilateral relationship, support for the conclusion of an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, participation of Argentina in the Galileo project, the benefits of the European Digital TV standards for Argentina and enhancing mutual cooperation in the multilateral fora. Together with President Néstor Kirchner, the Commissioner will launch the Commission funded “Human Rights Observatory” in . She will also participate in the VI Conference Mercosur-EU Business Forum (MEBF) and she will address representatives of the Congress. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said ahead of her trip: “Argentina is an important political and economic partner for the EU and we have a mutual interest in working together to tackle bilateral, regional and global issues. I hope that this deeply-rooted relationship can help us to reach an ambitious agreement between EU and Mercosur to boost competitiveness and growth in both regions. Argentina and the EU share common values such as respect for human rights, democracy, rule of law and I am committed to strengthening this relationship in all its dimensions.”

Chile, 7-8 November During her visit to Santiago de Chile, the Commissioner will meet with President Michelle Bachelet and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alejandro Foxley, with whom she will discuss latest developments in the region, the implementation of the Association Agreement, the strengthening of our co-operation, the benefits of the European Digital TV standards for Chile and enhancing mutual cooperation in the multilateral fora. She will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Commission for Latin America (Comisión Económica para América Latina - CEPAL) and will participate in the seminar “The market Economy: new challenges and solutions” organised by CEPAL. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said before her visit: “The EU has forged a sound partnership with Chile, which is flourishing with the Association Agreement. The agreement has paved the way for a strong increase in bilateral trade and expanded cooperation in other areas such as education or social matters and we are always ready to explore all options for a still closer and more effective co-operation with Chile.” For more information: The EU relations with Latin America: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/la/index.htm The EU relations with Uruguay: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/uruguay/intro/index.htm The EU relations with Argentina: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/argentina/intro/index.htm EU-Relations with Chile http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/chile/intro/index.htm

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