Federal President Steinmeier's trip, which comes at a moment of global upheaval and reorientation, aimed to expand and deepen Germany's partnerships in South America. Long-standing partnerships characterise bilateral relations with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile, owing in large part to the history of German immigration.
Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender began their trip to Latin America by attending the inauguration of Uruguay's new President on March 1, as a special expression of the two nations' close ties. In times of global turmoil, the Federal President underlined the importance of strong partnerships, both old and new. He stated that Uruguay is the type of partner that we seek. Our countries share a commitment to the rule of law and democracy. We already collaborate extensively on a variety of issues, including business and culture, student exchanges, research collaborations, and climate preservation.
Uruguay is the kind of partner that we seek.
On the second day of his visit, Federal President Steinmeier met with Uruguay's new President Orsi for political talks. The Federal President emphasised that Uruguay is an especially dependable partner for Germany. Both countries support multilateralism, respect for human rights, and climate conservation. At a time when the international world order and the United Nations system are under increasing scrutiny, the Federal President stressed the importance of cooperation. He was certain that commercial ties would continue to strengthen, especially regarding the EU-MERCOSUR collaboration agreement, which marked both an economic and geopolitical milestone. According to the Federal President, Germany supports the agreement's entry into force as quickly as possible and has pledged to lobby for it among EU member states that are still hesitant.
The Federal President then proceeded on his itinerary to Paraguay. His agenda in Asunción on March 3rd included, amongst other items, political talks with Paraguay's President Santiago Peña. At the meeting, Federal President Steinmeier said he was pleased about the steady ties between our two countries throughout times of global upheaval. Both leaders acknowledged the tight relationship between the two countries. The Federal President underlined Germany's ongoing commitment to the EU-MERCOSUR partnership deal.
I am grateful for the stable relationships we have in times of immense global turmoil.
In the afternoon, the Federal President went to the Chacarita neighbourhood. On the agenda was a tour to the birthplace of José Asunción Flores, the founder of the Paraguayan singing group Guarania. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2024. At the subsequent school festival at the Goethe School, the Federal President had a chat with students.
Later that evening, President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender headed for the next stop on their itinerary: Chile. With his visit, the Federal President honours Germany’s and Chile’s long-standing friendship. This has been characterized, not least, by reciprocal immigration. Chile is a close partner in the environment and energy sectors, and it is critical to Germany's and the world's energy transition.
First, the Federal President met with civil society representatives to obtain a thorough understanding of contemporary challenges and Chile's political culture. He then participated in a discussion between German and Chilean business people. In addition to current trade policy challenges, the discussions focused on renewable energy and raw commodities.
In the afternoon, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender paid a visit to Santiago's German School, which serves 2,200 students. They learned about school projects and officially opened a new sports field.
'Colonia Dignidad' is a sensitive issue in German-Chilean relations. From 1961 to 1996, the town was home to a free church cult centred on paedophile leader Paul Schäfer. The members were imprisoned, mistreated, and exploited. Schäfer sexually molested several German and Chilean children. The cult leader collaborated with dictator Augusto Pinochet, who utilized the location as a torture facility for political opponents.
Coming to terms with the events in Colonia Dignidad remains a top priority for Germany.
Coming to terms with the events in Colonia Dignidad remains a top priority for Germany
, emphasised the Federal President. In Santiago de Chile, he talked about Colonia Dignidad with persons affected as well as professionals from both countries. We will continue to collaborate closely with our Chilean allies to ensure dignified remembrance
, remarked the Federal President.
The defunct sect's site will be used to build a memorial. The Federal President also paid a visit to the ‘Museum of Memory and Human Rights,’ which will hold an exhibition on Colonia Dignidad by the Free University of Berlin beginning in 2026. Only by keeping the memories alive will we ensure that anything like this never happens again
, he said.
Later in the evening, the Federal President awarded Ana María Wahrenberg and Rudi Haymann the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. You have both rendered great and admirable services to Germany, to our country
, he remarked, recognising the awardees' accomplishments.
Germany and Chile are partners with a lot to say and offer to each other.
On 5 March, the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric received the Federal President for political talks. At the subsequent press conference, the Federal President emphasised Chile's importance as a strategic partner for Germany. Both countries cooperate closely in a variety of fields, including politics, business, and research.
He thanked President Boric for Chile's firm attitude on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In these times of global change, we want to deepen relations with countries that act multilaterally and follow internationally agreed-upon rules
, the Federal President stated. We trust on Chile to be a dependable partner.
It is not just nature that's fascinatingly gorgeous here, but also what Chile and Europe have built together: the European Southern Observatory.
On the last leg of his trip, Federal President Steinmeier paid a visit to the European Southern Observatory (ESO), a one-of-a-kind facility for cutting-edge astronomical research in Chile's Atacama Desert. The bright, black night sky provides perfect conditions for groundbreaking astronomical discoveries.
The Federal President highlighted the importance of international cooperation, noting that cutting-edge research relies on global collaboration. With 16 member states and headquarters in Germany, ESO is Europe’s leading astronomical research institution. As a founding member, Germany takes pride in its scientists’ key contributions.
During a visit to the Extremely Large Telescope's (ELT) construction site, the Federal President learned about the world's largest optical telescope. The ELT is scheduled to launch in 2028 and, with a main mirror diameter of 39 meters, will produce significantly larger and more detailed views of the universe than prior observatories.
Overview of the programme
Friday, 28 February
- Evening
Flight to Montevideo, Uruguay
Saturday, 1 March
- Morning [CET -4]
Arrival in Montevideo - Lunchtime
Attend the inauguration of Yamandú Orsi, President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay - Evening
Dinner hosted by the President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay
Sunday, 2 March
- Morning
Talks with the President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay - Lunchtime
Reception hosted by the German Ambassador - Afternoon
Flight to Asunción, Paraguay
Monday, 3 March 2025
- Morning
Talks with experts on the situation in Paraguay - 10.00 a.m. [CET -4]
Laying of a wreath at the National Pantheon of Heroes - Thereafter
Welcome with military honours by Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay
Private talks with the President
Advisors join the talks - 12.00 noon
Joint press conference - Lunchtime
Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of Paraguay - Afternoon
Visit the La Chacarita quarter with performances of Guarania, music listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - Evening
Flight to Santiago, Chile
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
- Morning
Talks with representatives of civil society - Thereafter
Opening of the German-Chilean Business Roundtable - Lunchtime
Visit the German School Santiago - Afternoon
Visit the Memory and Human Rights Museum
Talks with affected parties and experts on Colonia Dignidad - Evening
Decoration ceremony at a reception hosted by the German Ambassador
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
- Morning
Laying of a wreath at the monument to Bernardo O’Higgins - 9.30 a.m. [CET -4]
Welcome with military honours by Gabriel Boric, President of the Republic of Chile - Thereafter
Private talks with the President
Advisors join the talks - Thereafter
Joint press conference - Lunchtime
Reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Chile - Afternoon
Flight to Antofagasta - Evening
Tour of the European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal Mountain
Thursday, 6 March 2025
- Early morning
Tour of the building site of the Extremely Large Telescope - Late morning
Flight to Berlin
Friday, 7 March 2025
- Morning [CET]
Arrival in Berlin