Chile has taken on the “pro tempore” presidency of the Pacific Alliance for a month, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This move aims to resolve the leadership transfer issue between Mexico and Peru, which has been delayed for several weeks.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declined to hand over the presidency to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.
In a press release, Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, stated that Chile recognizes Peru’s right to assume the “pro tempore” presidency and has acted as an intermediary to resolve the situation.
To ease tensions, Chile assumed the presidency for a month during a meeting in Santiago with representatives from the four member countries: Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia.
The meeting involved discussions between the Chilean Foreign Minister, the Mexican ambassador to Chile and the designated Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Peruvian Chargé d’Affaires in Chile, the Colombian Chargé d’Affaires in Chile, and the Chilean Undersecretary of International Economic Relations.
At the end of the meeting, the Chilean Foreign Minister emphasized the commitment of all four countries to the future of the Alliance.
Chile aims to reactivate technical work in the various working groups, committees, and subcommittees of the Pacific Alliance.
They also intend to update the Additional Protocol with chapters on Gender and Trade, as well as SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and to implement roadmaps on Gender, Plastics, and the regional digital market.
Additionally, Chile will focus on advancing the international agenda of the Pacific Alliance.