MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean transition to democracy “complete, but not perfect”

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who this week begins an official state visit to Brazil said to a Brazilian magazine that the transition (to democracy) in Chile “is complete, but not perfect”.

The process began following the end of former dictator Augusto Pinochet's regime (1990) but still has some tasks "pending" among which electoral reform, recognition of Indigenous peoples and a deeper decentralization of the country's administration.

Ms Bachelet told "Epoca" that the country under former President Ricardo Lagos "advanced significantly because of fiscal discipline, economic and political stability and a very strong social cohesion".

That is why Chile today is a "low risk country, which attracts investments and is committed to the export model which has given such good results".

However among the pending social tasks she mentioned "strong effort in education, improved conditions for children, teenagers and workers, as well as their salaries" plus ensuring a greater participation of women in the labour market.

Ms Bachelet confirmed her administration will follow on the foreign policy tracks of former president Lagos which are mainly to seek a greater and stronger integration with the rest of Latinamerica.

As to relations with the United States, they are "good" and the free trade agreement signed by Chile with the US is "doing particularly well" so there's no need for any review.

President Bachelet is expected Monday in Brazil, where she will be arriving from Paraguay and on Tuesday is scheduled to meet with President Lula da Silva.

According to a short release from the Brazilian Chancellery "the visit represents an opportunity to exchange impressions about the main issues in the regional and international agenda". During Ms Bachelet's visit bilateral agreements on energy, consular and environment affairs will be signed.

The Chilean president admitted to "Epoca" her great admiration for Brazil, which began when she was fifteen and decided to study Portuguese because she considered herself a "fanatic follower" of Roberto Carlos and other renowned Brazilian singers.

She admitted President Lula da Silva recently presented her with a collection of forty of Roberto Carlos most famous songs. Apparently Lula da Silva was impressed to hear Ms Bachelet sing the Brazilian national hymn in Portuguese.