MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Zealand Governor General in Chile

New Zealand Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright is currently on an official visit to Chile where she held talks with President Ricardo Lagos.

According to the Chilean press this is the first time a New Zealand Governor General visits South America.

President Lagos said he expects the visit will help to speed up the signing of a free trade agreement between Chile, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore.

"Following the Governor's visit we expect that bilateral trade will significantly increase as well as the exchange of ideas since our countries share cherished values of freedom, democracy, peace and solidarity", said President Lagos.

Governor Cartwright revealed that they talked about common interests in human rights, nuclear disarmament, Antarctic affairs, agriculture and trade.

The trip underlines the growing importance New Zealand attaches to the relationship with Chile.

Ms. Cartwright is scheduled to meet Chilean human rights experts and visit a project supported by the New Zealand government aid and development agency which assists battered women and disadvantaged children.

The visit follows two earlier visits to New Zealand by President Lagos.