Diverse array of topics covered during the Mariano Fernández – Hillary Clinton dialogue

The invitation extended by President Obama to President Bachelet to visit the United States in the near future; the agenda for the V Summit of the Americas to be held this week; the best way to address the international financial crisis; the meeting between President Obama and the Presidents of the Union of South American Nations, in Trinidad and Tobago; and the status of the Chile-California Plan were some of the issues discussed today between the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mariano Fernández and the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

In their first meeting, held at the State Department, the Chilean and American Foreign Ministers began their conversation with bilateral issues. In a telephone conference with the national media, Minister Fernandez indicated that Secretary Clinton had very cordial words to say about President Bachelet and emphasized the fact that she is enjoying high approval ratings.

Another subject addressed was the innovative Chile-California Plan. They agreed that it needs to be extended beyond the government level. In particular, they discussed the seminar on solar energy that will be held next week in California, in which the Chilean Minister for Energy, Marcelo Tokman, will participate. In addition, the importance of a high-level committee responsible for promoting the Plan in Chile and efforts to have a similar committee in the United States was emphasized.

Along these same lines, interest by both countries in finalizing an agreement on developing alternative renewable energies was stressed.

Another topic was the next Americas Competitiveness Forum, which was held in the United States in 2007 and 2008, headed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This year’s Forum will be hosted by Chile between September 27 -29. In light of conversations, the presence of a high ranking United States representative at the Forum is anticipated.

Fernández and Clinton concluded that the visit by President Bachelet to the United States, at the invitation of President Barack Obama, will take place as soon as the agendas of both Presidents allow.

In the multilateral arena, they discussed the V Summit of the Americas, to be held April 17-19 in Trinidad and Tobago. The invitation by President Obama to meet this Saturday with the Heads of State and Government of the Union of South American Nations during the Summit was confirmed. President Obama will deliver opening remarks, to be followed by those of President Bachelet as President Pro Tempore of UNASUR. A free interchange of viewpoints among all of the Heads of State present will ensue. It is anticipated that among the issues to be addressed will be the best way to face the financial crisis, the situation of the most disadvantaged, capitalization of the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as global and hemispheric level solutions.

In response to a question from the press, Foreign Minister Fernandez confirmed that -in relation to the Summit in Trinidad and Tobago and the possibility that the Cuban situation will be addressed- Chile appreciates the recent decisions by the Government of the United States regarding the transfer of funds, travel to the island, and the authorization of telecommunication activities. Moreover, Chile favors the incorporation of Cuba into hemispheric fora and believes that it is necessary for the United States to lift the trade embargo. He stated that this has been a permanent position, as has the position favoring the promotion of human rights in Cuba.