Basseterre, St. Kitts (28 November, 2018) – His Excellency The Governor-General Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP on the morning of Wednesday 28th November 2018, at Government House, received His Excellency Francisco J. Bernales, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chile to the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Ambassador Bernales presented his Letter of Credence to the Governor-General and the Letter of Recall of his predecessor His Excellency Eduardo Bonilla.

The Republic of Chile is located in Southern South America bordering the South Pacific Ocean between Argentina and Peru with a population of approximately 17.5 million people. Chile has a market-oriented economy with a high level of foreign trade and strong financial institutions.

Ambassador Bernales is a career diplomat having served in Argentina, Pakistan, Denmark, Brazil and Washington. During his inaugural visit, he paid courtesy calls on the Deputy Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Alexis Jeffers and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, Kay Bass.

The Republic of Chile and the Federation have mutually agreed to exempt passport holders of Chile and the Federation from the requirement of visas for stays not exceeding 90 days. There are also several cooperation projects training youths in areas of agriculture, sports, specifically football, disaster management, citizen security and other areas of mutual concern. Ambassador Bernales also expressed his desire in strengthening the bonds of friendship between both countries.

Ambassador Bernales was accompanied on his visit by Ms. Elizabeth Kelsick, Honorary Consul of Chile in St. Kitts and Nevis.