Welcome words by the Chair
Welcome to the site of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee (D-CL).
As the elected Chair of the delegation, I preside over the regular meetings of our Delegation in Brussels and Strasbourg. Together with the Co-Chair of the Delegation of the Chilean Congress, I also chair the meetings of the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee, which take place twice a year, alternating between Chile and the European Union.
Chile is a constructive, like-minded partner, with which the EU shares important values, including the defence of democracy and human rights, open trade and multilateralism. Furthermore, Chile has been one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies, with an average growth of 5 % over the past three decades. Bilateral relations with Chile are excellent, and are based on our successful Association Agreement signed in 2002. During the last parliamentary term (2014-2019), the European Parliament expressed strong support for the modernisation of the Agreement, so as to bring it into line with the most modern and advanced agreements. This includes the modernisation of its trade pillar, for which I was rapporteur during the last parliamentary term. Negotiations for a new agreement started in November 2017. At a time of increasing international instability, we urgently need to update and upgrade our current framework for relations ‑ especially to reaffirm our shared support of the multilateral order, and determination to defend it.
As for trade, negotiations should go beyond merely granting improved market access. The European Parliament has underlined the need to link trade and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the fight against climate change, the defence of the highest labour standards and human rights, including gender equality.
In the field of cooperation, because of Chile's status as a high-income country and OECD member, the European Parliament has supported efforts to move away from traditional development cooperation towards different approaches, such as triangular cooperation. Future cooperation between Chile and the EU should also cover other important policy areas such as security and justice, sustainable development, energy and research, as well as specific fields such as tourism, statistics and transport.
Given all of this, a partner like Chile is of enormous value to the European Union in these fast-changing times. I am taking on the task of guiding our Delegation with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility, as well as with the aim of fostering broad-ranging and intensive dialogue between our parliamentary assemblies. My objective is to boost our role and influence as citizen's representatives on the international stage, and to harness parliamentary democracy to make progress together in areas of mutual interest to the EU and Chile.
Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, Chair
As the elected Chair of the delegation, I preside over the regular meetings of our Delegation in Brussels and Strasbourg. Together with the Co-Chair of the Delegation of the Chilean Congress, I also chair the meetings of the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee, which take place twice a year, alternating between Chile and the European Union.
Chile is a constructive, like-minded partner, with which the EU shares important values, including the defence of democracy and human rights, open trade and multilateralism. Furthermore, Chile has been one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies, with an average growth of 5 % over the past three decades. Bilateral relations with Chile are excellent, and are based on our successful Association Agreement signed in 2002. During the last parliamentary term (2014-2019), the European Parliament expressed strong support for the modernisation of the Agreement, so as to bring it into line with the most modern and advanced agreements. This includes the modernisation of its trade pillar, for which I was rapporteur during the last parliamentary term. Negotiations for a new agreement started in November 2017. At a time of increasing international instability, we urgently need to update and upgrade our current framework for relations ‑ especially to reaffirm our shared support of the multilateral order, and determination to defend it.
As for trade, negotiations should go beyond merely granting improved market access. The European Parliament has underlined the need to link trade and sustainable development, with a particular focus on the fight against climate change, the defence of the highest labour standards and human rights, including gender equality.
In the field of cooperation, because of Chile's status as a high-income country and OECD member, the European Parliament has supported efforts to move away from traditional development cooperation towards different approaches, such as triangular cooperation. Future cooperation between Chile and the EU should also cover other important policy areas such as security and justice, sustainable development, energy and research, as well as specific fields such as tourism, statistics and transport.
Given all of this, a partner like Chile is of enormous value to the European Union in these fast-changing times. I am taking on the task of guiding our Delegation with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility, as well as with the aim of fostering broad-ranging and intensive dialogue between our parliamentary assemblies. My objective is to boost our role and influence as citizen's representatives on the international stage, and to harness parliamentary democracy to make progress together in areas of mutual interest to the EU and Chile.
Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, Chair