Luís Amado at the Inaugural Ceremony of the President of Chile

The Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs Luís Amado will attend the Inaugural Ceremony of the new Chilean President Piñera Echenique, on behalf of the Portuguese Government, to take place March 10, 11.

At the meeting with his counterpart Alfredo Moreno, Luis Amado will discuss a new strategic framework for bilateral relations, including deepening of relations at political, economic and trade (particularly in the renewable energies, tourism and information technologies sectors) and culture levels (with regard to the collaboration between universities) in order to promote the strengthening of relations between Portugal and Chile.

The meeting will also address regional issues and organizations of which both countries are members – participation in the Ibero-American Summit; in the Organization of the Andean (OAS), in which Portugal has an observer status; and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), which Portugal joined recently.

Chile and Portugal have cooperated in the area of fire fighting. And Portugal, through the National Authority for Civil Protection, responded to the Chilean Government’s request for assistance following the February 27 earthquake.

Luís Amado will also take this opportunity to personally pay his condolences and express his solidarity to the Government and to the people of Chile for the recent disaster in this country.

The Portuguese Training Ship Sagres will participate in Chile’s 200th anniversary celebrations to take place next week.

Luís Amado will avail this opportunity to keep several bilateral meetings with his counterparts attending the ceremony.