WASHINGTON – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson will lead the U.S. delegation at this year’s session of the U.S.-Chile Bilateral Political Consultations at the U.S. Department of State on Friday.

Jacobson and the U.S. delegation will hold these wide-ranging talks with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Alfonso Silva and other representatives from the Chilean government, building on the success of the previous dialogue held in January 2011 in Santiago, Chile.

The U.S.-Chile Bilateral Political Consultations focus on bilateral and regional issues, including the civilian security challenges in Central America and Haiti, the President’s educational exchange initiative 100,000 Strong in the Americas, and promotion of travel and tourism, among other mutual goals. This dialogue reflects the strong and mature partnership between Chile and the United States.