Chile on Thursday became the first Latin American country to sign a Framework Participation Agreement in the EU-led civilian-military crisis management operations. "Since Chile and the EU share common values and the objective of maintaining peace, this Agreement constitutes a very significant result," noted an EU statement. The Agreement was signed today in Brussels by the European External Action Service Executive Secretary General Pierre Vimont and by the Chilean Ambassador to the European Union, Carlos Appelgren Balbontin. Chile has successfully participated in international peacekeeping operations since 1949 and has shown a steady support to the EU commitment to peace and security, including its contribution of troops to the European Union Force ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina for over a decade, said the statement. Chile and the European Union are linked by an Association Agreement signed in 2002.