MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bachelet: relation with Argentina is strategic

“The relation with Argentina is strategic. The destinies of Chile are closely linked to those of Argentina”, said elected Chilean president Michelle Bachelet who emphasized her administration's foreign policy will privilege relations with neighbouring countries and regional economic integration.

"My foreign policy will give utmost priority to the region. I'll do everything possible to build day by day regional integration" said the elected president underlining that "challenges ahead are shared and we'll all be better off if we work together".

However she warned that Chile is not interested in becoming a full member of Mercosur and will remain as an associate member.

"Chile is not isolated from the Mercosur agenda, nor will it be. But becoming a full member would demand tariffs decisions that are not feasible", underlined the future Chilean president.

During the last two decades Chile virtually eliminated all tariffs following the signature of almost ten free trade agreements. The cost of raising them to Mercosur level is considered too costly for the Chilean economy, probably the most open of Latinamerica.

Regarding the United States sponsored Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, Ms Bachelet said she supports a basic agreement but which recognizes the asymmetries of the different regional economies.

"We're fully prepared to advance towards the FTAA objective with the purpose of generating more wealth and development for the hemisphere, but we are also aware that the realities of each country are different". "We're associate members of Mercosur and believe that the FTAA and Mercosur agendas are not incompatible". As to one of the major challenges and controversies of Chile's foreign policy, Bolivia and Peru's territorial claims, Ms Bachelet said she is prepared to talk to any "democratically elected" president.

But she was clear in differentiating dialogue from yielding.

"I will be available for an open, ample dialogue, but always making it clear that we have international treaties which we respect and that the president must defend the interests of its citizens".

The former Defence minister also played down Chile's recent purchases of military hardware which usually are an irritating factor among neighbours particularly when territorial claims pending.

"Chile is not interested in an arms race. We do not pretend to change the current statu quo...But we must not trip into cold war concepts, but rather develop a foreign policy which will enable us to reach better agreements".

Finally there was a message for the ruling coalition and the different parties which are bidding for a share of power (and posts) in her administration, arguing they played a crucial role in the overwhelming victory.

In effect for the first time since the return of democracy the ruling coalition Concertación will have full control of both houses of Congress.

"I'll be making decisions since I was elected president. This victory is no personal patrimony or asset of nobody. I will act with the liberty I must, in naming those who are the best for the jobs", highlighted the Chilean elected president.