President of Chile starts state visit to St Lucia today

The president of Chile has started her official state visit to St Lucia today.

Michelle Bachelet, the first women to hold Chile’s top job, is only scheduled to stay on the island until tomorrow.

She is currently on her second term as president, having first held power from 2006 until 2010.

The purpose of the visit is to forge closer ties between the two nations. Chile has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America, and collaboration in agriculture, education, climate change and renewable energy are understood to be on the agenda.

The visit is also an opportunity for President Bachelet, along with some of her ministers to engage with OECS member states in an effort to better position the region to address its priority issues.

President Bachelet, is expected to be accompanied by high level members of her cabinet and Latin American media.

St Lucia first established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Chile in 1991.