In November 2009, then candidate for the Presidency of Chile, right-wing businessman Sebastián Piñera [in photo, at right], paid a visit to Brazil, where the trade issue had a special role, given the singular importance for both nations. Like any candidate interested in strengthening its international alliances, he went to the Brazilian Senate where he was received by Senator Tasso Jereissati (PSDB) and leaders of different political parties. He met with former Senate President Garibaldi Alves. However, the most important visit came next, when he met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with whom he discussed bilateral relations.

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Also, recall people close to the current elected President of Chile, the then candidate was called "President Piñera" by President Lula, when not even in the first round of presidential elections, which later he would win without the necessary advantage of declaring himself the winner. In fact, he went to the second round, last January 17th, where he finally beat the center-left ex-president, Eduardo Frei.

During his visit, Lula gave two pieces of advice to Piñera: that he prepare to govern "going deeply" because four years is a short time and that he compromise with the Congress on major projects.

"Traces in the soul"
After this quote, Piñera was pleased. He commented that "we had a great and warm meeting with President Lula. It was a fruitful meeting, productive. We talked about the future issues that matter to Brazil and Chile, economic integration, physical integration, how to get Chile and Brazil to maintain this strategic alliance, that we will strengthen our government, because we want a government of integration within Chile, to accommodate all Chileans, but also improve relations with all countries in the world, but especially with a great power like Brazil."

Piñera, on his return to Chile, was happy, because he had a meeting "those who leave traces in the soul" and that “means a good relationship for the future of Chile and Brazil."

After this trip, the Chile-Brazil agenda was known in detail, eight points, which would stimulate Sebastián Piñera and now has to be consolidated.

The agenda provides support for Brazil’s candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council; creation of a bi-national public-private foundation; creation of a rapid mechanism for consultations between the two countries’ embassies and promotes an integrated energy and infrastructure market in the Southern Cone; as well as supporting intervention in infrastructure in the region and strengthening the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America Initiative (IIRSA); boosting the trans-oceanic corridors, evolving into more advanced levels of cooperation in the military environment and creating a special program for high-performance sports connected with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.