MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sir Alan Duncan attends Chilean president Piñera's inauguration

Sir Alan Duncan MP, say farewell to the outgoing President of Chile Michelle Bachelet and her Foreign Minister with Amb. Fiona Clouder (Pic Twitter)

Foreign Office minister for Europe and the Americas Sir Alan Duncan represented the UK in the inauguration of the new president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera. Minister Duncan arrived in Santiago on Saturday and part of his agenda is to discuss the future of UK-Chile bilateral relations with the incoming administration.

 As well as meetings with Interior Minister Andres Chadwick and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Ampuero, Sir Alan will meet Chilean business leaders to discuss future commercial opportunities under the Global Britain agenda, host an event for Chilean alumni of the UK’s Chevening Scholarship and International Leaders programs, and deliver a foreign policy lecture to students at the prestigious Universidad del Desarrollo.

Commenting on his trip Sir Alan Duncan said: “My first official visit to Chile comes at an important time, as our two countries continue to work closely on regional and international issues such as human rights, security and peace keeping, climate change and protection of the oceans.

”The UK and Chile have strong historical links that go back over 200 years. Our relationship will continue to go from strength to strength in the 21st century, as we further our collaboration in fields as diverse as trade and investment, science and innovation, and green sector growth.