Foreign Minister Moreno urges officials to renew their spirit of public service

By taking on this honorable appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I wish to address you all and your families, both on behalf of the President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera and on mine, my best wishes upon initiating the beautiful task of representing Chile.

A few days ago, our country was struck by a great catastrophe and we have witnessed the sorrow of so many fellow nationals due to the loss of their loved ones and the destruction of properties. However, we have seen how we, the Chilean people, united in a chain of fraternal effort and solidarity, have lifted up our spirits and decided to pursue the path of reconstruction without wasting time.

The huge support we have received from the international community, the aid sent in the wake of the earthquake and the fund-raising of the Chilean communities abroad, commit our Ministry, its Embassies and Consulates to fulfill with efficiency and swiftness, the actions and initiatives requested from abroad to promptly deliver aid to victims and contribute to domestic rebuilding. The challenge imposed on us by this test of nature is immense.

In the coming days we will have the time to delineate the core elements of foreign policy defined by the President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera. Meanwhile, I would like to express my greatest readiness and willingness so that our work at the Foreign Ministry develops efficiently and harmoniously and its professionalism and capability, highly respected by the country and the international community, continue to grow.

All of you fulfill a task of utmost importance to the country. Everyone in each specific area of action is valuable and can contribute with your skills and abilities to ensure our country continues in its path towards development.

I invite you, then, to renew your spirit of public service in order to always bear in mind that we must be a contribution to the country’s development, at the service of our fellow nationals and to faithfully implement the government’s program on international relations of Chile.

I summon you to take pride on the task you perform daily, to do your best at the performance of tasks assigned, irrespective of their level of prominence or significance. The personal satisfaction of a job well done, of a task undertaken with love, dedication and enthusiasm is also a part of the new spirit that should inspire every member of the Foreign Ministry with a vocation for diplomatic and public service. Let’s put our efforts and capabilities into this noble task.

My warmest regards to you and your families,

Alfredo Moreno Charme

March 11, 2010