Chile–New Zealand relations

Chile–New Zealand relations

Chile

New Zealand

Chile–New Zealand relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Chile and New Zealand. Both nations are mutual members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Cairns Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.

History

Chile and New Zealand are two Pacific rim nations separated by over 9,100 km (5,600 miles) of distance. Both nations established diplomatic relations in 1948 and embassies were opened in each countries capitals in 1972, respectively.[1] In 1973, Chilean General Augusto Pinochet took power in Chile after a coup d'état against the government of former Chilean President Salvador Allende. During the Chilean military dictatorship, New Zealand did not break diplomatic relations with Chile.[2] As a result, several protests took place in the 1970s and 1980s in New Zealand against the New Zealand government maintaining diplomatic and trade relations with the military regime of Chile.[3][4] Throughout the 1970s, several thousand Chilean refugees fled their country, mostly to other Latin-American countries and to Europe. During that time period, over 200 Chileans sought asylum in New Zealand.[5][6][7]

Since the end of the military dictatorship in Chile, relations between the two countries have greatly improved. Both nations have working holiday visas and have seen several official visits made by Presidents/Prime Ministers and government officials. In 1993, Chilean President Patricio Aylwin paid an official visit to New Zealand, becoming the first Latin-American head of state to visit the country.[8] Both nations work together to combat climate change and improve global agriculture and lobby the international community to help preserve Antarctica.[9] Chile's largest airline, LATAM Chile, operates flights between Santiago and Auckland. In 2012, New Zealand was granted Observer status for the Pacific Alliance, a regional group that includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.[10]

State visits

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key at the APEC summit in Peru, 2016.

Presidential visits from Chile to New Zealand[8]

Prime Ministerial visits from New Zealand to Chile

Trade

In 2004, Chile and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (along with Brunei and Singapore) known as the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4). In 2014, total trade between Chile and New Zealand amounted to $255 million USD.[9] Chilean exports to New Zealand include: plywood, copper wire, non-dissolving chemical wood pulp, soda and sulphate. New Zealand exports to Chile include: cheese, butter and dairy spreads, seeds, fruit, and spores for sowing.[9] New Zealand's largest company, Fonterra, owns a 99% share in Chile's largest dairy company, Soprole.[9]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. "1. – Latin America and New Zealand – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-07-13. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  2. "Relationship with Chile: New Zealand's ambassador to Chile – Latin America and New Zealand – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  3. "Protest against New Zealand support for military rule in Chile – Refugees – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  4. "Relationship with Chile: young protestor – Latin America and New Zealand – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  5. "A national commemoration – Latin Americans – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  6. "3. – Latin Americans – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  7. "LA SITUACIÓN DE LOS REFUGIADOS EN EL MUNDO 2000" (PDF). Chile.exilio.free.fr. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  8. 1 2 "Embajada de Chile en Nueva Zelanda » Relaciones Bilaterales". Chile.gob.cl. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Chile | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade". Mfat.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  10. "New Zealand gains observer access to Latin American bloc – Beehive - The Official Website of the New Zealand Government". Beehive.govt.nz. 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  11. "Embajada de Chile en Nueva Zelanda". Chile.gob.cl. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  12. "New Zealand Embassy | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade". Mfat.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
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