European Commissioner for International Partnerships' visit opens opportunities to enhance EU-Chile cooperation in priority areas

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, concluded his visit to Chile, where he held key meetings with government authorities, private sector representatives, and multilateral organisations. The visit reaffirmed the European Union's (EU) commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean in terms of cooperation, sustainable development, and investment.

During his participation in the private sector forum within the framework of the Annual Meetings of the IDB Governors' Assemblies, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda to boost inclusive economic development, the green transition, and digitization in the region.

"Through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, Chile and the European Union are strengthening our collaboration to ensure sustainable and environmentally responsible economic growth. The economies of both regions are highly complementary," stated the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

In his meeting with the Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, opportunities to expand cooperation in renewable energies were addressed, with special emphasis on green hydrogen and energy efficiency. Mechanisms to attract European investment to the Chilean energy sector and strengthen collaboration in clean technologies were also discussed.

In his meeting with the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, joint initiatives to promote sustainable mobility and the development of climate change-resilient infrastructures were discussed. Ongoing projects were reviewed, and the role of European investments in the sector was highlighted, particularly within the framework of Chile's tenders for the modernization of trains and buses. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to financing and technical support to promote a more efficient, sustainable transport system aligned with emissions reduction targets.

A key milestone of the visit was the launch of the Optiminer project, developed by the German company Fraunhofer in Chile and co-financed by Horizonte Europa. With the participation of 20 research entities, the project represents an advance in the optimization of mining processes through innovative technology, promoting sustainability in the sector.

"The launch of Optiminer marks a milestone in scientific cooperation between the European Union and Chile. This project, funded through the Horizon Europe research program, is a clear example of how international collaboration can drive sustainable innovation in key sectors such as mining. The European Union is proud to support initiatives that promote innovative and sustainable solutions, and Optiminer is a testament to our commitment to these values," commented Commissioner Síkela.

To conclude his visit, Commissioner Síkela traveled to Antofagasta to witness firsthand the work of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), visiting the facilities of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Regarding this experience, he noted:

Commissioner Síkela's visit reaffirmed the EU's role as a strategic partner of Chile and the region in promoting sustainable investments, cooperation in energy and responsible mining, and strengthening the bond between both regions in research and development.