MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bachelet: nice to be in Venezuela, sorry New Zealand!

“It's not just a protocol two days visit, it's a visit to confirm achievements which are good for Venezuela?Venezuela? ?my God I'm nuts, I mean New Zealand” said Chilean president Michelle Bachelet during one of the events prepared for her in New Zealand.

The speech slip was quickly overcome by referring to a member of the Chilean delegation, Senator Alejandro Navarro who was the most fervent supporter of the recent Venezuela's candidacy for the UN Security Council.

"When I look around and I see Senator Navarro I can only think about Venezuela", said Ms Bachelet trying to overcome a moment of distraction when addressing a group of Chilean adolescents currently living in New Zealand under the "Working and Holidays" program to improve their English language.

The Chilean president arrived in NZ from the APEC leaders' summit in Hanoi which she described as "extraordinarily successful".

"Chile's voice and opinion was heard among the leading nations of the world and we were able to conclude negotiations for several trade agreements", said Bachelet.

She underlined that one of the most promising aspects of the Hanoi meeting was the promise to work during 2007 "so when we meet again in Australia we can consider the option of a free trade agreement that encompasses the 21 members of APEC".

Ms Bachelet also revealed that in Hanoi she met with Japanese Primer Minister Abe and concluded the drafting of a free trade agreement to be signed when the two leaders meet again in Tokyo.

"My message to Chileans is that these trips mean more opportunities for Chile; they help attract investment to Chile; to have us recognized as a reference point in a globalized world and to promote the country overseas".