MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean president begins two day visit to Uruguay

Pte. Bachelet and Pte. Vazquez

Chile and Uruguay are scheduled of sign on Monday in Montevideo a “strategic association” agreement in the framework of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's two day official visit. Ms Bachelet arrived in Montevideo late Sunday.

The agreement will help to heighten bilateral relations between two countries that "are very similar, have shared visions and wish to walk together in the region and in the world", said Uruguayan ambassador in Chile, Carlos Pita. Ms Bachelet begins her busy agenda Monday morning meeting President Tabare Vazquez, siging several agreements and making an official visit to Mercosur office headquarters. The strategic association agreement means both countries will have closer consultations on foreign policy and world affairs. Other accords to be signed include one regarding double taxing and most significant the opening, by the end of the year, of markets for almost all goods with the exception of wheat and sugar which are regulated markets in both countries. Ms Bachelet delegation includes a woman member of Congress, Socialist Isabel Allende and the Minister for Women's affairs, Laura Albornoz. The Chilean president who is a doctor by training will be closing the regional seminar, organized by Uruguay "Participation of women in the Latinamerican context, opportunities and challenges". On Tuesday both presidents will inaugurate a civic center dedicated to Socialist president Salvador Allende, in coincidence with the hundredth anniversary of the former leader's birth. The center is located 46 kilometers from Montevideo and will promote social and community affairs in the neighborhood. Mr. Allende was the first elected Socialist president in Chile who was violently ousted by a military coup led by General Pinochet in 1973. Ms Bachelet belongs to the Chilean Socialist party and Mr. Vazquez to the Uruguayan Socialist party. The visiting Chilean president is scheduled to return to Santiago on Tuesday evening.