Newsletters
Chile’s Ambassador to Ankara Rodrigo Arcos underscored growing cooperation with Türkiye as the two countries mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations, emphasizing defense, trade and cultural ties.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Arcos said cooperation with Turkish defense firm ASELSAN remains important for Chile’s armed forces.
“They are working with our armed forces to improve equipment, services and logistics. This relationship is important for us because the services and products Türkiye provides to Chile come with the sharing of knowledge, experience and expertise,” he said.
Arcos said contacts between Chileans and Turks date back to the Ottoman period and noted that diplomatic relations were formally established on Jan. 30, 1926.
He said Chile was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with Türkiye and that the two sides will celebrate the centenary of those ties.
Despite ups and downs due to international developments such as the Cold War, Arcos said relations have shown steady progress over time.
He noted that Chile opened its diplomatic mission in Ankara in 1941, becoming the first Latin American country to do so, and highlighted the importance of the Türkiye-Chile Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2011.
He said Chile remains the only Latin American country to have such an agreement with Türkiye.
Arcos also pointed to reciprocal visits by leaders, including former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Chile, as well as visits to Türkiye by former Chilean presidents Ricardo Lagos and Sebastian Piñera.
Arcos said bilateral trade continues to offer room for growth, noting Chile’s extensive global free trade network and Türkiye’s efforts to expand industrial and services exports.
He said Chile exports agricultural products, food and minerals worldwide through its logistics networks and maintains strong trade ties across regions.
Arcos recalled that ASELSAN, which has operated in Chile for many years, opened a Latin America office in Santiago in 2024.
He also noted that HAVELSAN signed a contract with the Chilean Navy for the ADVENT Combat Management System.
He said Chilean and Turkish defense industry representatives have been brought together to discuss joint production and investment opportunities for Latin American and other markets.
1 min read
Arcos said Chile plans film screenings, cultural events and exhibitions featuring documents and photographs to mark the 100th anniversary of relations.
He said the launch of reciprocal direct flights by Turkish Airlines has boosted tourism, doubling the number of travelers between the two countries in both directions.
Arcos noted that Turkish citizens do not require visas to visit Chile and highlighted the country’s northern desert observatories and southern fjords as attractions.
He said Chile aims to promote its cuisine to Turkish visitors and welcomed the opening of a Yunus Emre Institute office in Santiago to encourage interest in Turkish language and culture.
Arcos also said Turkish television series have contributed to cultural interaction, sparking interest in visiting Türkiye.
Asked about the future of relations under Chile’s incoming president Jose Antonio Kast, Arcos said he does not expect major changes.
“Relations with Türkiye are 100 years old. There are ups and downs, but when you take the average, they always move forward,” he said.
Arcos added that Chile’s longstanding commitment to free trade and openness to global markets will continue, noting that the country’s foreign policy remains stable regardless of political changes.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
