13:33 | Lima, Mar. 21 (ANDINA).
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who will arrive in Peru tonight on a two-day state visit, will be presented with the Congressional Medal on Tuesday, March 23.
Congress President Luis Alva Castro announced that all the Congress' activities will be halted that day during this ceremony.
Kirchner will arrive along with a delegation of more than 100 business people, who have already scheduled more than 500 business meetings in Peru, according to the Argentine Ambassador in Lima, Dario Alessandro.
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will head to Peru this afternoon on the first official presidential visit in 16 years. The president has planned a two day trip in which a key political agenda will be discussed with her counterpart, President Alan García, as well a scheduled lunch with hundreds of businessmen from both Peru and Argentina.
Carlos Menem was the last Argentine president to visit Lima in 1994 before the diplomatic scandal of 1995 of illegal sales of weapons to Croatia and Ecuador in the 1990s when the two countries were engaged in wars (Ecuador was in war with Peru). Years later, Menem had to face charges for his alleged involvement, which landed him briefly under house arrest.
The Buenos Aires Herald reported that Foreign Minister Jorge Taiania addressed reporters and considered that this diplomatic visit "will turn the page and put a definite end to that sad incident."
On the other hand, President García praised Fernandez de Kirchner's visit and remarked that the trip "shows the goodwill between both administrations and the constant efforts to strength and deepen the two countries' relations."
The presidential flight is scheduled for 6pm at the Metropolitan Airport. Along with the President, the Tango 01 air force will also fly ministers, governors and deputies. The flight is scheduled to arrive at the Lima international Airport at 09pm BA time (11pm Lima).
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Published: 3/21/2010