Prince Charles opens official visit to Chile

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-10 10:39

SANTIAGO, Chile – Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla began an official visit to Chile on Monday, discussing climate change and military ties with President Michelle Bachelet and helping launch an energy efficiency campaign.

Britain's Prince Charles waves upon his arrival at the international airport in Santiago, Sunday, March 8, 2009. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a four-day official visit to Chile. [Agencies]

After laying a wreath at the monument to Chilean independence hero Bernardo O'Higgins, Charles and Camilla were welcomed at La Moneda presidential palace by Bachelet, who talked animatedly with the visitors in English.

"The royal couple's talks with President Bachelet covered the impact of climate change on the Latin American country, Anglo-Chilean relations and the military links between the two states," Britain's Press Association reported.

Charles later joined Energy Minister Marcelo Tokman to launch a promotional campaign for energy efficience, and visited the Chilean Joint Center for Peacekeeping Operations. Chilean peacekeepers have served along the India-Pakistan border and in the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East and Haiti.