Chile has denied that it faces a regional isolation in South America due to the recent tensions with Bolivia, Peru and Argentina.

An official from the Foreign Ministry told the press Monday that Chile had excellent relations with Mexico, Ecuador, Colombiaand Brazil, while steps in that direction were being taken with Venezuela and, except the gas problem, ties with Argentina were good.

Argentina is currently suffering a serious energy crisis that has forced it to buy fuel from Venezuela and reduce its gas exportto Chile.

It is even impossible to brand as bad the relations with Peru, whose government requested the revision of the joint maritime borders.

With regard to Bolivia, the tension is actually due to the instability afflicting the neighboring nation, where its being a landlocked nation is frequently used as a factor to bring society together, the official added.

Besides, the government has done what had to be done for the welfare of Chileans, including the signing of trade agreements with the United States and the European Union.

The country has political, social and economic stability, and because of that the great powers consider it a serious partner, the official said.

Chile inked cooperation pacts with all the countries of Latin America as part of its aim to expand ties with the rest of the world.

Source: Xinhua