Andina

Peru to assume Pacific Alliance pro tempore presidency in 2018

Jefes de Estado otorgan declaración conjunta al finalizar la XII Cumbre de la Alianza del Pacífico. Foto: ANDINA/ Prensa Presidencia

Jefes de Estado otorgan declaración conjunta al finalizar la XII Cumbre de la Alianza del Pacífico. Foto: ANDINA/ Prensa Presidencia

16:16 | Lima, Mar. 6.

Peru will take over the pro tempore presidency of the Pacific Alliance at the bloc's next meeting to be held in Mexico this year, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski announced Tuesday.

According to the Head of State, assuming the pro tempore presidency —at this time— is important to the Inca country, taking into consideration this regional bloc is currently in a growth phase.

"There are new countries that will become associate members, such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and —now— South Korea, which has also shown interest in joining this group," he told State-run TV Peru channel.

Remarks were made following the virtual meeting President Kuczynski held with his counterparts Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia), and Enrique Peña Nieto (Mexico).

This virtual summit was intended to review the major progress and projections of the Pacific Alliance, with a strategic outlook towards 2030.

It also addressed topics such as sustainable development promotion, trade among bloc members, and citizens' well-being.

About

The Pacific Alliance was established as an economic and development initiative. Nowadays, it has become the axis of a new way of doing business in the continent.

This trade bloc is a mechanism for political, economic cooperation and integration aimed at finding a space to promote greater growth and competitiveness of the four economies that make it up (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru).

On an annual basis, the Pacific Alliance rotates the pro tempore presidency among its members.

It must be noted Chile was handed over the presidency by Peru in 2016, and then Colombia was chosen to hold it in 2017.

(END) VVS/CCR/JAA/MVB

Published: 3/6/2018