ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The relations between Italy and Chile are “excellent” and with deep historical roots. It is the opinion of the ambassador of Chile in Rome, Ennio Vivaldi, interviewed by Claudio Brachino for Diplomacy Magazine, the column of geopolitics of the agency Italpress.
The history of Italian- Chilean political and diplomatic relations is marked by a closeness, Vivaldi observed, shown by Italy also “in very difficult times”.
It is a relationship made also of exchanges between communities, and the Italian one in Chile is composed of about 1,400,000 people, mostly descendants of Italian emigrants.
“There is a strong participation of Italy in the history of Latin America. The Italians who arrived in Chile, and among them my grandparents, made an image of Italy very positive, integrated into culture, society and many of them became important characters in the history of the country”, commented Vivaldi, whose family is native to Arma di Taggia.
Even from the economic point of view, geographical distances are exceeded by a lively interaction, with an interchange of more than 2,8 billion euros according to data reported to 2023. Chile shows great potential for investments in different sectors, beginning with that of renewable energies, as the ambassador explained.
“To date, 60 percent of the solar energy that is produced in Latin America comes from Chile,” he said, recalling also the capacity in the energy sectors derived from water and wind sources. Italy has a solid presence in Chile, with approximately 15 billion euros of foreign direct investments to 2022, focused precisely in energy, but also in infrastructure and agro-industry.
Looking at the interchange of 2023, the Italian export to Chile grew by 10%, reaching 1,9 billion euros, and among the main items are machinery and industrial equipment, components but also fashion and furniture. Imports from Chile amounted to around €900 million, and main items include copper, cellulose, wine and agricultural products. According to Vivaldi, Italy is in progress, also thanks to the work of agencies dedicated to investments and economic exchanges, a diversification of products subject to import-export.
“The only copper and other raw materials such as lithium were exported from Chile. In recent years the diversification of the economy and the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises have marked a very important progress,” said the ambassador.
A further boost in trade is expected by Member States to ratify the agreement signed in 2023 between the European Union and Chile. Rector for two mandates of the University of Chile, the head of the diplomatic mission in Rome could not fail to focus on the importance of cultural exchange between two peoples such as the Italian and Chilean.
The Latin American country boasts two Nobel Prizes for Literature, that given to Pablo Neruda and that to the poet Gabriela Mistral, the first woman in Latin America to be awarded the world recognition. The Chilean cultural tradition finds a solid foundation in universities, which according to Vivaldi represent much more than an institution dedicated to teaching.
“No one would say that Italy is the product of Wisdom or that France is the product of the Sorbonne, but to say that Chile is the product of the University of Chile… maybe it would not be so wrong. The universities have contributed to the realization of the health service, the education system, have the symphonic orchestra, the contemporary art museum”, the diplomat explained.
“Italy can manufacture things here and then sell them in Chile. It can bring an Italian factory to Chile and create jobs. But I think the real progress is when Chile is part of the development of cultural, scientific and technological subjects. This really brings Chile a step forward on the road to progress,” said the ambassador.
“At this moment we started a relationship between Chilean public universities and Italian universities. I think this is the right way,” said Vivaldi.
(ITALPRESS).
-Foto Italpress-
