MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bush confirms official visit to Chile.

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos confirmed that recently re-elected president George Walker Bush will be making an official state visit to Chile following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, scheduled November 19 in Santiago.

Mr. Lagos revealed this Monday that during the weekend he spoke on the phone with President Bush who announced that following his participation in the APEC summit he will extend his visit to Chile until Sunday November 21 when both heads of government will be holding bilateral talks.

The agenda will include issues of interest for Chile and the United States as well as regional affairs, according to President Lagos.

"Over the weekend I spoke with President Bush and he was looking forward to his coming visit to Chile. He told me he will be extending his stay for some hours so he can make an official visit to Chile once the Apec summit is over.

We'll be meeting in La Moneda (Government House) for a bilateral agenda and other issues we talked about", said President Lagos.

President Bush's had been anticipated but was not confirmed until last weekend following the conclusion of the presidential election in United States.