State visit to Chile: an ideal ally for challenging times

The state visit to Chile sealed a warm, deep friendship that spans centuries. In these challenging times – marked by an increasingly urgent green energy transition and a crumbling international order – Belgium and Chile have much to offer one another.

A staggering 12,000 kilometres separate Brussels from Santiago de Chile, the capital of that long, narrow Latin American country whose southernmost tip stretches almost to Antarctica. Yet Chile appeared on Belgium’s radar very early. As far back as 1832, the fledgling Belgian state appointed a consul in Valparaíso, as this Chilean port city had become an important stopover for Belgium’s growing merchant fleet. In fact, in 1825—exactly 200 years ago, still under Dutch rule—King William also appointed a consul there: Jean-François Doursther from Namur.

Historical partner

This marked the beginning of a long history of fairly close political, economic, cultural, and scientific ties. Numerous Belgian companies have invested in the Latin American country. Think of Engie-Tractebel, Sibeco, Puratos, Bekaert, and more recently, Solvay and Fluxys. With investments totalling 6.2 billion dollars, Belgium ranks as Chile’s 8th largest international investor.

Chilean companies have also found their way to our country. The most notable Chilean investments here are lithium giant SQM in Antwerp (see box) and molybdenum producer Molymet-Molynor in Ghent. Sigdo Koppers acquired Magotteaux, a Liège-based company active in the mining sector. It was a deal that brought significant benefits to both countries, including synergies, global expansion, and innovation.

Belgium also engaged in development cooperation with Chile for several decades, which left its mark all over the country. Thousands of Chilean students have studied and worked—and continue to do so—at Belgian universities. Around 50 Chilean institutions collaborate with Belgian research centres and universities in areas such as biotechnology, astronomy (see box), water resources, environmental science, mathematical modelling, and Antarctic research.

It is also striking that our country showed great solidarity during the brutal coup led by General Augusto Pinochet in 1973. At the time, our embassy in Santiago sheltered 106 Chileans fleeing the military junta. Some 5,000 Chileans were welcomed in Belgium itself. To mark the 50th anniversary of the coup, our embassy commissioned a documentary featuring testimonies from Chileans who found refuge in the Belgian residence in 1973.

A promising alliance

Despite the strong ties, it had been 60 years since a Belgian head of state—King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola at the time—paid a state visit to Chile, or even to Latin America. There have been three princely economic missions in 1991, 2002, and 2011, but a state visit carries significantly more weight. It represents the highest level of diplomatic contact between two heads of state and is the best way to celebrate and strengthen the ties between two countries.

Therefore our country was more than happy to accept the invitation from the current Chilean president Gabriel Boric, as Belgium and Chile have so much to offer one another. In a world where power dynamics are shifting, Belgium—and the EU—needs to seek new alliances.

Just think of the energy transition and the critical raw materials and green energy required for it. Chile holds vast reserves of lithium—essential for batteries—and offers ideal conditions for large-scale, low-cost hydrogen production, thanks to strong, steady winds in the south and exceptional sunshine in the north. By 2030, it even aims to become one of the largest exporters of green energy molecules.

Belgium and Chile also have much to learn from one another. Our model of collaboration between government, industry, and research centres has made our country a benchmark in areas like green energy and digitalisation—serving as a source of inspiration for our Latin American ally. Chile, for its part, has managed to swiftly develop solutions, such as the nationwide rollout of solar energy by the start-up Solcor Chile.

Finally, both countries share a lot of principles and values such as the defence of multilateralism and the international rule of law, the rule of law itself, democracy, gender equality, respect for human rights, and the fight against climate disruption. This actually applies to nearly the entire Latin American continent as well.

Ancestral roots

In short, the purpose of the state visit was to clearly showcase all these aspects. As always, the FPS Foreign Affairs—both its central administration and the embassy in Santiago—played a key role in preparing the visit and ensuring that all meetings ran smoothly.

The delegation—which included our King and Queen, representatives of the regions and communities, and several ministers—held talks with President Boric and members of his cabinet. Meetings also took place with the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives. Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prévot, met with his Chilean counterpart, Alberto van Klaveren.

A state visit always includes a significant cultural component. In Chile, we expressed respect for the ancestral roots of the Chilean community. For instance, our Queen visited the indigenous Mapuche community. In Chile, 9% of the population is indigenous, of which 80% are Mapuche. The Mapuche often live in poverty.

Queen Mathilde joined in a dance around a totem pole – a sacred tree symbolising the connection between the earthly and spiritual worlds – and played ‘Palín’, a traditional Mapuche game similar to hockey. Normally, Palín is played only by men, but due to a change in the programme, it was our Queen’s turn. She also met Guido Flamey, a Belgian missionary who arrived in Chile in 1968 and helped the community.

The Queen also visited the museum of Pre-Columbian Art, which houses over 3,000 objects from the cultures of the Maya, Aztecs, Incas, and Mapuche. By the way, did you know that our own Royal Museum of Art and History has 200 objects of Chilean origin in its collection? Among them is the mummy Rascar Capac, made famous by a Tintin album.

Exceptional in every respect

A group of 22 CEOs and 10 academics also joined the visit, sometimes taking part in separate activities. They held discussions with their Chilean counterparts on topics such as circular manufacturing, green hydrogen, sustainable innovation, and sustainable urbanisation.

Four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed. For example, between the Belgian Hydrogen Council – a partnership between industry, policymakers, and researchers – and its Chilean counterpart, H2Chile. Fluxys signed an MoU to develop infrastructure for hydrogen, ammonia, and CO₂, including storage, transport, and terminal facilities. This is intended to facilitate the export of green molecules. Additional MoUs were signed by Ecosteryl (medical waste management) and Hinicio (hydrogen).

This state visit succeeded in strengthening ties and sealing a warm, close friendship. King Philippe himself described the visit as “exceptional in every respect.” Not even a technical breakdown at departure from Belgium – causing a one-day delay – nor another on the return from Chile – two days’ delay – could spoil the mood. “The Titanic has not sunk yet, we are staying on board,” said King Philippe. “We are all in this together, no matter what happens.”

So, our embassy had its hands full right up until the last minute and it will keep its focus. It will be following up closely on every opportunity that emerged during the visit, with one clear aim: to ensure the greatest possible long-term impact.