VietNamNet Bridge – On the occasion of Chile's National Day today, the country's ambassador to Vietnam, Jorge Canelas Ugalde, spoke to Viet Nam News.

Vietnam and Chile have witnessed lots of high-ranking visits lately. How have such visits helped boost bilateral ties between the two countries so far?

The high-ranking visits exchanged by Vietnam and Chile have been instrumental in enhancing our bilateral ties. At the same time, they are representative of the excellent diplomatic relations between both countries.

When leaders meet almost on a yearly basis, there is certainly something to be said about the importance of our bilateral relations within our foreign policy as a whole.

Chile and Vietnam established diplomatic relations 36 years ago, we share a tradition of friendship and solidarity, values which are made explicit when our leaders meet.

How did negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Chile start? How do you think both countries will benefit from such an agreement?

We started this process in November 2006 during President Michelle Bachelet's visit to Hanoi, when a letter of intent was signed in order to study the feasibility of a free trade agreement.

The weekend before last, at the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation 2007 Leaders Summit in Sydney, President Nguyen Minh Triet and President Bachelet announced the beginning of negotiations, which we expect to take place early next year. We are in the preliminary stages, exchanging relevant information and data, in order to have the negotiating teams adequately and readily prepared.

I am positive about the mutual benefits a free trade agreement would bring to both countries. Chile has signed free trade agreements with the Republic of Korea, China and Japan.

Our free trade agreements with the RoK and China are already in effect, and I must say they have been very successful in boosting bilateral trade. Our free trade agreement with Japan only began to be implemented two weeks ago, so it is too early to have any assessment on its effects on trade. I am sure we will negotiate an agreement that will give our trade relations a new strength.

Vietnam and Chile aim to raise two-way trade to US$300mil over the next three years. What should the two sides do to achieve this goal?

We should continue working as we have in the last couple of years, I am confident on the outcome of our upcoming trade negotiations and, if everything goes as planned, we should have our free trade agreement taking effect soon enough, and by 2010, I would be surprised if we do not surpass that figure if we keep going at the current pace.

Some vine growers in Vietnam have started thinking about creating a trademark for Vietnamese wine. Can you share with them some experiences from your country, as Chile is one of the most famous wine exporters in the world?

Chile has offered to share its expertise and successful experiences in several fields with Vietnam.

We have started doing it with mining, forestry, fishing, among others.

We have also offered to advise in the field of wine making. Some steps have already taken place, since there are some areas suitable for vineyards in Vietnam, even if the climate is not a perfect for vines.

The challenge is to identify the best variety of grapes for the type of terroir available in Vietnam, and to make the best of it with proper and modern wine making techniques.

(Source: Viet Nam News)