MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile resumes as associate member of CAN

The Community of Andean Nations Foreign Affairs ministers' council extended Friday the category of associate member to Chile.

The regional organization included Chile as one of its members during a ceremony in Santiago with the participation of representatives from all member countries.

A constitutional act was signed for a Joint Committee between CAN and Chile which has 180 days to define participation conditions to the integrated Andean System and the founding Cartagena Accord.

"We expect the ad hoc task group assesses how Chilean experts can contribute in issues such as coordination and assistance in the CAN/European Union trade negotiations. We also know we can contribute in such areas as combating poverty and promoting education", said Chilean Foreign Secretary Alejandro Foxley.

"We trust we can jointly explore development in such areas as trade, investments, research and education taking advantage of the special relation Chile has with Asian countries, which are currently the most vigorous and strongest economies", he added.

Foxley said it was important to promote private and government cooperation specifically organizing small and middle sized companies meetings which don't usually have an institutional space to work together.

It was agreed that the Joint Chile/CAN committee will hold at least two meetings between January and May next year which will establish the groups and work methodology.