Within the framework of the 12th Summit of the Pacific Alliance, its member countries' Presidents on Thursday night announced the accession of four Associate States into this regional bloc.
Hosting nation's Colombian leader Juan Manuel Santos said this
alliance is in full operation. Thus, it is the fastest and most successful process made in the history of Latin America.
"This means the alliance is consolidated," Santos stressed during the closing ceremony of the 4th Business Meeting of the PA.
Likewise, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet explained such joining will imply the signing of more trade agreements as a single bloc.
At the same time, Mexico's leader Enrique Peña Nieto noted the Associate States inclusion leads to making a qualitative step towards an alliance that has been successful so far.
"We are moving into a new version, another very powerful level, aimed at generating greater opportunities," he highlighted.
Under this approach, Peru's Head of State
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski informed that Associate States will be officially announced during the Summit's day-two taking place this Friday.
The 12th Presidential Summit of the PA will come to an end today following a meeting led by the four founding members' top officials.
Subsequently, the Declaration of Cali will be revealed along with adopted agreements.
Pacific Alliance
The Pacific Alliance is a deep integration process uniting Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
The bloc fosters the free circulation of people, goods and services across its territories.
It also aims to harness the opportunities provided by economic and financial integration, thus guaranteeing solid and inclusive growth.
(END) VVS/SMA/MVB