Chilean Defense Minister Jaime Ravinet opened the Chile-U.S. defense consultation committee meeting on Tuesday in Santiago.

Ravinet told reporters that Chile and the United States have a broad range of common interests in security affairs which increasingly go beyond the simple buying and selling of defense systems and the transfer of related technologies to include cultural and academic exchanges and training.

Peter W. Rodman, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, described the relations between Chile and the United States as "solid and mature," and said Chile plays an important role in regional and global security.

The Chilean delegation is formed by Gabriel Gaspar, deputy secretary of war, Gonzalo Garcia, head of the chiefs of staff, and deputy secretary for the navy Jorge Huerta.

The U.S. representatives also include Rogelio Pardo Maurer, deputy assistant defense secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs.

Source: Xinhua