PH, Other Asia and Oceania Ambassadors Discuss Bilateral, Regional, and Multilateral Partnership with New Chilean Foreign Minister

Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat (5th from left) poses for a photo with Chilean FM Alberto Van Klaveren (7th from left) and other Heads of Posts from the Embassies of: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Viet Nam, Australia, and ROK. (Santiago PE photo)

SANTIAGO 24 May 2023 — Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, alongside other Ambassadors from Asia and Oceania, attended a Breakfast Meeting on 19 May 2023 hosted by Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Teatinos, Santiago Centro. Also in attendance for the CHL side were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Gloria de la Fuente and Deputy Minister of International Economic Affairs Ms. Claudia Sanhueza.

Completing the Asia and Oceania Group were the Ambassadors of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of Australia and the Republic of Korea.

FM Van Klaveren discussed elements of Chile's foreign policy and its efforts to diversify its foreign relations into other regions. Included in these initiatives are goals and programs to enhance Chile's footprints on: (1) multilateralism, (2) regional blocs such as APEC, CPTPP, and the Pacific Alliance, (3) development partnership with ASEAN, (4) trade agreements, (5) green and digital Economy, and (6) disaster risk reduction or DRR.

For the PHL's part, Ambassador Balatbat emphasized the Philippines's and Chile's ongoing partnerships and collaboration in energy, DRR, and culture, among other areas. She said, “the Philippines and Chile’s common cultural heritage can help bridge the physical distance between the two countries.”

She also recalled and thanked Chile for its instrumental role in formalizing the PHL's observer status in the Pacific Alliance.

Ambassador Balatbat reaffirmed the PHL's commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and a rules-based world order. She likewise cited the 2016 Arbitral Award and UNCLOS as guideposts for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Echoing the views of other ASEAN Ambassadors in attendance, she underscored ASEAN's crucial central role in promoting peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region.

FM Van Klaveren assumed his position as Foreign Minister on 10 March 2023.  He has had a long career in the Chilean MFA, including serving as Chile’s Ambassador to the EU, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as working as Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs. He is a lawyer, professor, and author specializing on International Relations, Comparative Foreign Policy, Chilean Foreign Policy, and International Law.

The Breakfast Meeting with Ambassadors from Asia and Oceania on 19 May 2023 is part of FM Van Klaveren’s series of group meetings with Ambassadors based in Santiago to exchange views on foreign policy priorities and other areas of common interest. The Foreign Minister met with the Latin American group on 18 April and European group on 20 April 2023. END

For more information, visit https://www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.