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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines, Chile mark 80 years of ties with push for trade, maritime cooperation

Philippines, Chile mark 80 years of ties with push for trade, maritime cooperation

Lazaro meets Chilean President José Antonio Kast and Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna in Santiago

Published Aug 14, 2026 12:30 pm
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets Chilean President José Antonio Kast at the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago as the Philippines and Chile mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. (Photo from Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets Chilean President José Antonio Kast at the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago as the Philippines and Chile mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. (Photo from Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
The Philippines and Chile are seeking to deepen bilateral relations as the two Pacific nations mark 80 years of diplomatic ties, with trade, investment, maritime cooperation, and tourism among the areas identified for closer collaboration.
In statements issued on Friday, August 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro met with Chilean President José Antonio Kast Rist at the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago, where she conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s greetings and renewed Manila’s commitment to strengthening relations with Chile.
“Honored to meet with Chilean President José Antonio Kast and extend the warmest greetings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Lazaro said in a post on X.
“I reiterated our commitment to deepening PH-Chile ties, now that we are close to finalizing our bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), during the milestone 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” she added.
Lazaro and Kast discussed the potential of the CEPA to expand trade and investment between the two APEC economies.
“The Pacific Ocean does not separate us, it links our destinies,” Lazaro said, underscoring the Philippines’ interest in expanding its partnership with Chile.
She also invited Kast to visit the Philippines.
The meeting came shortly after the conclusion of negotiations for the Philippines-Chile CEPA. The agreement, which was concluded in July, is aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Philippines-Chile trade ties
Lazaro’s official visit to Santiago also included a bilateral meeting with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two officials discussed economic cooperation, including trade and investment, as well as maritime and consular cooperation. They had previously met on the sidelines of the commemorative activity for the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in Manila in July 2026.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna in Santiago, Chile, to discuss strengthening Philippines-Chile cooperation in trade and investment, maritime and consular affairs, tourism, and other areas of mutual interest. (Photo from Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro meets with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna in Santiago, Chile, to discuss strengthening Philippines-Chile cooperation in trade and investment, maritime and consular affairs, tourism, and other areas of mutual interest. (Photo from Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
In an X post, Lazaro said she and Pérez Mackenna had “productive talks” during her official visit to Santiago.
“Commemorating 80 years of PH-CL diplomatic ties, we welcome the imminent signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Philippines’ first bilateral trade agreement in Latin America,” Lazaro said.
Tourism, people-to-people exchanges
Lazaro said she also signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism between the Philippines and Chile.
“I also signed an agreement on tourism cooperation showing our ever-expanding partnership with Chile,” she added.
Lazaro said the agreement could create greater opportunities for both countries and strengthen their economic links.
The agreement is expected to facilitate closer cooperation between the two countries’ tourism authorities and promote greater people-to-people exchanges.
The talks also covered regional and international issues of mutual interest.
80 years of Philippines-Chile diplomatic relations
Lazaro said the official visit, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of Philippines-Chile diplomatic relations, “reaffirms our shared commitment to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between our two Pacific-facing nations.”
She also hailed the recent conclusion of negotiations for the Philippines-Chile CEPA, which would “leave the gates wide open for immense trade and investment opportunities, making our two countries more interconnected and interdependent than ever before.”
The Philippines and Chile established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946, the day the Philippines gained independence.
The two countries are marking the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2026 through increased engagement in economic, maritime, tourism, and other areas of cooperation.
As of the end of 2025, about 1,017 Filipinos made up the Filipino community in Chile. 
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/08/dfa-chief-lazaro-to-visit-brazil-chile-to-strengthen-ties-mark-80-years-of-diplomatic-relations

Related Tags

Philippines Chile relations Ma. Theresa Lazaro José Antonio Kast Philippines Chile CEPA Philippines Chile trade Philippines Chile diplomatic relations Francisco Pérez Mackenna
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