Press statement by the President of the Republic, Michel Temer, after the signing ceremony of the Free Trade Agreement between Brazil and Chile - Santiago/Chile

Santiago-Chile, 21 November 2018

          I want to salute everyone, but especially President Piñera. And of course, I want to thank him for the kindness with which he has welcomed us - he and the Chilean people -, with which we were welcomed here in this wonderful country. This, I think, is the third time we've met. I was pleased to attend the inauguration of President Piñera, and then we had a long talk at the Summit of the Americas in Lima.

And here I want to emphasise a second thank you, which is for the fact that we have made an alliance between Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance precisely as a result of the dialogue we had in Lima, when I was telling President Piñera, President Peña Nieto and President Macri that in Brazil we have a constitutional rule that determines that any and all public policy must be geared towards the integration of Latin American nations. And when I said this, I suggested that maybe we could make an alliance between Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, a task that President Piñera soon took up, not only accepting but endorsing the idea. So much so that President Peña Nieto, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, summoned us, the members of Mercosur, together with the Pacific Alliance, and while in there we were able to issue a joint statement.

          So I must also thank President Piñera for his leadership in this episode that was fundamental to this connection, to this alliance that we have made. And surely from that point on, and especially since President Piñera's visit to Brazil, which honoured all Brazilians, we were able to establish the opening lines of an agreement between... a trade agreement that was formalised today between Brazil and Chile. And interestingly, as President Piñera pointed out, with extraordinary speed. In less than six months, we were able to draft and formalise this agreement.

          But I believe that this is also, President Piñera, the result of a natural convergence that exists between our governments, between my government and your government, therefore, between Brazil and Chile. And this trade agreement has been very much welcomed in our country by the press, and by the Brazilian people, since yesterday, and I also note that here in Chile it has also been praised and highlighted.

          And in this regard, as befits every visit made - and we who preside over a Republic are accustomed to it - wherever we go, we always see demonstrations of all sorts. And I noticed that today there was a very interesting demonstration, which was regarding those Chileans who work in Brazil, retire, come to Chile, and when their retirement benefit goes to Chile there is a 25% discount. I want to announce, for the first time, that I have already talked with our Foreign Minister, and have determined to the Secretary of the Federal Revenue of Brazil that, as a consequence of this trade agreement we have signed, that we will also stop collecting these 25% from Chilean retirees who worked in Brazil and came to Chile. I think this is a… [Applause]

          I was not finished, but, anyway, I want, once again - the applause came before we expected it, did it not? At an important moment. But it was extremely important, because from here we can all go out and when they lift the banner, it's already solved, isn't it?

          So I want, once again, if I may say so, that this trip, although a very quick one, because soon after we must all return to Brazil... We have about month and a little more of my administration. I don't want to say that I would appreciate it, or rather, I would appreciate it if President Piñera went to Brazil again, but I recognise that the time is short. But, once again, I want to express my gratitude, and the gratitude of the delegation accompanying me, to Your Excellency and to the Chilean people. Now to the applause!