“Michelle Bachelet’s re-election by a large majority is good news, all the more so in view of our long-standing ties of friendship and collaboration”. This was Foreign Minister Emma Bonino’s comment on the outcome of the election in Chile. “Throughout her mandate at the head of UN Women, Michelle was a valuable ally in the campaign against female genital mutilation. The UN General Assembly’s adoption of a Resolution on this issue in December 2012 was due in part to her passionate commitment.
I hope that the full mandate she has won and the fact that Chile’s economy is growing apace will enable her to take forward the social reforms she has always espoused. Reforms that include access to education, fighting poverty and reducing the gap between rich and poor”. Minister Bonino added: “I will be attending the inauguration ceremony in March 2014 and will have an opportunity to congratulate her and strengthen the already sound and dynamic bilateral relationship between Italy and Chile.
I’ve had many meetings with Latin American Ambassadors in the last few days, including the Chilean Ambassador, who confirmed the great democratic dynamism of the region. With Bachelet’s return to the Presidency of the Chilean Republic, I hope that a new chapter will open in relations between the EU and South America”.