The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Chile for cooperation in migratory and consular affairs that could affect the status of thousands of undocumented Dominicans residing in Chile. The agreement defines strategies of interest for each country and calls for the exchange of best practices to contribute to progress and quality of life of expats. The document was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Santo Domingo.
Ambassador Carlos Appelgreen, who is director of consular affairs and immigration of the Chile Ministry of Foreign Relations, led the Chilean mission. The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Relations Miguel Vargas for the Dominican Republic and Appelgreen for Chile.
Minister Vargas said the agreement is “a step ahead in favor of around 30,000 Dominican immigrants in Chile.” He mentioned the step is part of the policy of President Danilo Medina of supporting the Dominican diaspora.
The memorandum mentions that Chilean officers will receive special training to deal with this emerging international migration issue. For its part, the Dominican government is seeking more flexibility of tourism visas for Dominicans to travel to Chile and possible legalization of status of undocumented Dominicans living in Chile.
Participating in the meeting for the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Dominican Republic were deputy minister Marjorie Espinosa for consular and migratory affairs; deputy minister Cesar Medina in charge of bilateral foreign policy; ambassador Kenia Angeles Cáceres, advisor on migratory affairs; Francisco Collado, director of migratory affairs; and Ramón Burgos, the director of legal affairs.
For Chile, in addition to ambassador Appelgreen, also participating were the ambassador of Chile in the Dominican Republic Fernando Barrera and consul general of Chile Francisco Leal.
18 May 2017
