Brasilia, March 11 (RHC) -- Brazil expects to strengthen bilateral ties with Chile under President Michelle Bachelet, who took office this Tuesday, a Brazilian Foreign Ministry official said.

"We have very good prospects for development in the areas of energy, education, infrastructure and human rights," Antonio Simoes, the ministry's under secretary for South American affairs, told a press conference in Brasilia.

"Our idea is that Brazil will increasingly get closer to Chile, and we are very pleased with the prospect of having a Chile that is increasingly integrated into the economy of South America."

Chile is Brazil's third largest trade partner in Latin America, behind Argentina and Mexico, while as much as 98 percent of trade between Brazil and Chile is duty free.

The official also reported that Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who is attending Bachelet's inauguration ceremony, is scheduled to meet the new president.