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20 years after the signature of their first Association Agreement, the European Union and Chile have signed a new Advanced Framework Agreement. The HR/VP Josep Borrell, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, and Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonia Urrejola concluded the negotiations in Brussels. EU & Chile are taking their relationship to the next level to address new priorities, tackle current global challenges and foster sustainable growth. Building on decades of successful trade and cooperation, the new EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement, the most comprehensive and progressive bilateral agreement negotiated by the EU to date, opens up new horizons of cooperation. With chapters on sustainable development, research, science and education, gender and trade, support for SMEs, the agreement will provide a state-of-the-art legal framework for deeper engagement and collaboration, and set new standards for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future. The Advanced Framework Agreement places people at the heart of the new EU-Chile partnership framework. It is proof that, working together with a like-minded and highly ambitious partner, the EU is able to set standards even higher and forge a stronger partnership at the global level. With new areas of cooperation such as human rights, rule of law, good governance, gender equality and international security, the new agreement will reinforce the EU and Chile's commitments to democracy and global peace, while enhancing bilateral cooperation in support of the rules-based multilateral order. The agreement will foster cooperation on the green agenda for years to come, further deepening an already thriving partnership in this area and building on EU support to Chile's COP25 presidency. In particular, the EU and Chile are striving to strengthen their alliance for social inclusion and environmental sustainability by boosting investments and cooperation on clean energy, raw materials, and sustainable supply chains. The Agreement will contribute to creating green jobs, facilitating collaboration and generating business opportunities for Chileans and Europeans alike, in areas such as green hydrogen or solar power, but also by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises and promoting strict environmental and social standards.
Building on successful joint initiatives such as the Cerro Dominador Solar Power Plant or the Green Hydrogen Team Europe Initiative, announced by HR/VP Josep Borrell during his trip to Chile in April, both parties will benefit from this important push for renewable energies, a key step for the Green Transition. Science and technology is another field with a great record of accomplishment and even greater potential for EU-Chile cooperation. By bringing their partnership up-to-date with new technological innovations and opportunities, the EU and Chile are investing in the Digital Transition, but also in the close scientific, academic and cultural ties between the two regions. Based on the success of key initiatives such as the BELLA submarine fibre optic cable connecting Europe with Latin America, the Copernicus and Galileo Satellites information centres and the European Space Observatory based in Chile, the new Advanced Framework Agreement will provide a modernised framework to multiply scientific and technological cooperation opportunities and strengthen the EU-LAC digital alliance. On trade, the modernised agreement will provide new opportunities for EU and Chilean companies by removing most of the remaining tariffs on goods: 99.9% of EU exports will become tariff free, with Chile removing tariffs on products such as dairy and food preparations. In exchange, Chile will obtain better access to the European market. SMEs will also benefit from the agreement: the elimination of tariffs, as well as the simplification of customs procedures and technical requirements will reduce their costs. The modernised agreement will also give legal certainties to businesses through enhanced protection of intellectual property rights, including the protection of famous geographical indications for foodstuffs, and will facilitate digital trade and open up new public procurement opportunities for companies on both sides. The trade pillar of the agreement includes an ambitious chapter on trade and sustainable development, with binding commitments on labour rights, environmental protection, climate change and responsible business conduct. This will be the first EU trade agreement to include a dedicated chapter on trade and gender, with initiatives to maximise the positive impact of women's participation in trade. It will also be the first EU trade agreement (together with the FTA recently concluded with New Zealand) to contain a dedicated chapter on sustainable food systems, with cooperation provisions at all levels of the food supply chain and a commitment to phase out the use of antimicrobials. The relationship between the European Union and Chile has a long history and deep ties, but above all, it has a great future.An unprecedented focus on protecting democracy and human rights and promoting justice, peace and security
Opening new horizons of cooperation to drive jointly the Green and Digital Transitions
Promoting sustainable, innovative and gender-sensitive trade
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