King Felipe and Queen Letizia welcomed the President of Chile for an official visit to Spain on Tuesday.
King Felipe greeted President Piñera at Zarzuela Palace for an official meeting. Other guests included the Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Spanish in the World, the Ambassador of Spain in Chile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Chile, and the Ambassador of Chile in Spain.
Following their meeting, King Felipe and Queen Letizia hosted an official luncheon for President Piñera at the Royal Palace of Madrid. In a speech before the lunch began, King Felipe said: “Chile and Spain have proven, over the years, even more than two countries united by deep historical, cultural and linguistic ties.”
He continued, speaking of an official visit to Chile by himself and Queen Letizia, which had to be postponed due to the ongoing global health crisis, would have coincided with the 500th anniversary of the Magellan Strait Pass and the Circumnavigation of the World, though other events “were able to continue, which has left a new and very positive mark on our bilateral relations.
“You yourself have finally been able to carry out your postponed European tour now that, little by little, we are overcoming this serious health crisis; For this reason, we can possibly affirm that the time has also come to resume that trip of ours to your country, inevitably postponed.
“I know, Mr President, that by then when this trip takes place, we can continue to count on your tireless work in favour of strengthening relations between our two countries. And rest assured that this work has my deep gratitude and that of the government and the Spanish people.
“I now finish these words, Mr President, raising my glass with all of you to celebrate once again the friendship that unites our peoples—and that also unites us personally—and for the constant progress of relations between Spain and Chile in all fields.”
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera has started an economic mission and tour of the European Union to strengthen ties with the countries he visits. His visit with King Felipe on Tuesday is one such visit.
