site.btaUPDATED Deputy PM Gabriel: Chile Becoming Increasingly Important to EU

Chile is becoming increasingly important for the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel said after Tuesday's talks with her Chilean counterpart Alberto van Klaveren in New York. 

Gabriel spoke to him in her capacity as the European Union's official representative and of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. She assessed this as a recognition and appreciation of Bulgaria's work. "Because when a Bulgarian foreign minister expresses the whole position of the European Union towards a certain country, it really means that our role is also important," Bulgaria's top diplomat added. 

Mariya Gabriel pointed out that Chile is an extremely important partner of the EU in Latin America because it has strong historical ties to and shares the democratic values of the Member States, and also expresses a strong interest in concluding the so-called new generation agreement by the end of the year, which will focus on critical raw materials, new technologies, including the use of hydrogen as an energy source. 

Gabriel was later quoted by her Ministry as saying that Chile supports Bulgaria's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As an OECD member, Chile will share its experience in the accession process. It also supports Bulgaria's bid to join the UN Human Rights Committee for the 2024-2026 period.