For the first time, the text includes a chapter dedicated to trade and the gender perspective. There are also provisions on foreign policy, security, sustainable development, energy and defense of the rule of law and Human Rights.
Today, Thursday, the plenary session of the European Parliament gave its approval to the modernization of trade relations between the European Union and Chile, an association framework that had already been in existence for 20 years and that has been reviewed not only to increase access to their respective markets. but also to strengthen cooperation on other challenges such as climate change or energy diversification.
Specifically, the MEPs meeting in Strasbourg (France) have adopted both the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement and the complementary agreement for the liberalization of trade and investment, although the commercial part still needs the approval of the Council and to be ratified by the 27 member countries and Chile.
For the first time in a trade agreement negotiated by the EU with a third party, the text includes a chapter dedicated to trade and the gender perspective that includes the commitment of both parties to eliminate discrimination against women. There are also provisions on foreign policy, security, sustainable development, energy and defense of the rule of law and Human Rights.
"This agreement will help the EU and Chile achieve their green and digital transitions. It also opens new opportunities for companies and investors," celebrated the economic vice president of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, after the positive vote of the European Parliament was announced.
In practice, the review of the trade framework means that around 99.9% of EU exports will be tariff-free, except in the case of sugar, with an expected increase in EU sales of more than US$4,872. .8 million. In addition, the most sensitive agricultural products are exempt from full liberalization, such as meat, certain fruits and vegetables, and olive oil.
Likewise, the agreement aims to guarantee better access to raw materials and clean fuel, such as lithium, copper and hydrogen; while including binding commitments on social, labor and environmental obligations based on the standards of the International Labor Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.
"The agreement has a key geopolitical importance because it will be the only trade agreement with Latin America approved during this mandate," highlighted one of the speakers of the European parliamentary position, Cs MEP Soraya Rodríguez, for whom this pact is "a clear example of the EU's political commitment to strengthen our regional cooperation and reinforce our ties with a crucial Latin American partner.
For his part, Chile's Foreign Minister, Alberto van Klaveren, applauded in a statement the approval of the new agreements by the European Parliament, "a very important step" that he hopes will give "a significant boost" to relations. He is confident that the new framework can come into force "soon."
