Subject: PELOSI -- Statement on Conclusion of Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Visit to Chile
From: Democratic Leader <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Fri, 6 May 2016 16:41:34 +0000

<http://www.democraticleader.gov/>

    May 6, 2016

Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George

202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on Conclusion of
Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Visit to Chile

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of the Congressional delegation meet with the
President of Chile Michelle Bachelet.

Santiago, Chile – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement after the bipartisan Congressional delegation concluded final meetings in Santiago with President of Chile Michelle Bachelet; Minister of Energy Máximo Pacheco; Deputy Foreign Minister Edgardo Riveros; Senate President Ricardo Lagos Weber; Chamber of Deputies President Osvaldo Andrade; and members of civil society.

“Our visit to Chile was distinguished by an emphasis on human rights and climate change in addition to security and trade.

“Upon arrival, we traveled to El Paraiso for a joint meeting with the President of the Senate, Ricardo Lagos and President of the Chamber of Deputies, Osvaldo Andrade, which focused on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), reducing income inequality, and advancing human rights.  Both presidents made the point that domestic decisions related to the workforce were critical to raising income, not just advancing trade agreements.  Our inter-parliamentary dialogue continued over a dinner hosted by President Andrade with Members of the Chamber of Deputies.

“On Thursday, following our country team briefing, we met with members of civil society, including labor, trade, environmental, LGBT and women’s rights leaders who shared their views regarding Chile’s efforts to tackle inequality and discrimination.  These leaders also shared their views on the possible impact of the TPP on workers, the environment, and the indigenous communities in Chile.  We then proceeded to a meeting with American Chamber of Commerce representatives to continue discussing the TPP’s impact and the business climate in Chile.

“We then engaged in a security and TPP-focused discussion with Members of President Bachelet’s government, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgardo Riveros and his colleagues.  Later in the afternoon, we had a particularly enlightening meeting with the Minister of Energy Máximo Pacheco, who provided an impressive description of the work Chile is doing to confront the threatening issue of climate change, to reduce dependence on carbon and fossil fuels, and to implement its COP-21 commitment.

“It was an honor for our bipartisan delegation to be hosted at La Moneda by President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet.  We discussed bilateral and multilateral efforts to strengthen global security, civility and economic growth, and raise labor and environmental standards in the context of the TPP.  The delegation thanks President Bachelet for Chile’s cooperation, friendship, and commitment to advancing our shared values.  We also appreciated hearing her thoughts on how Chile has moved from the suffering of the past to the prospects of the future.

“Before meeting with President Bachelet, the delegation visited El Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos which served as an inspiration and a reminder that Chile has overcome the atrocities of the Pinochet era.  The visit has underscored the importance of opposing human rights violations wherever they occur in the world.

“We are grateful to Ambassador Michael A. Hammer and the U.S. Embassy Santiago team for their leadership and the work they do to uphold the United States’ values in Chile.

“We traveled to Latin America on a fact-finding mission.  I want to commend Richard Hanna (R-NY), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and the entire delegation for their leadership and informed participation.  Our delegation engaged in an intense set of meetings that resulted in a better understanding of how to further advance relations with Mexico, Peru and Chile.”

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