Andina

Peru's FA Min: There is no policy to cede national territory

Photo: Congress of the Republic of Peru

Photo: Congress of the Republic of Peru

12:47 | Lima, Feb. 1.

During a Congress plenary session on Tuesday, Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Oscar Maurtua assured that there is no State policy to cede national territory.

"There is no policy to cede national territory, there is no policy to hold a referendum on the cession of territory or maritime space," Ambassador Maurtua affirmed when answering questions from Parliament about the statements made by President Pedro Castillo to an international media outlet last week.

The Cabinet member said the Head of State is not willing to cede national territory. Therefore, he had not expressed this as part of the talks held with the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

"I want to indicate categorically, clearly, and unequivocally that it is not a State policy; therefore, it is neither a policy of President Castillo's Government to promote any cession of Peruvian territory," he emphasized.

The diplomat affirmed that a cession of national territory is legally or politically impossible. 

Maurtua went on to add that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has neither raised it, nor will the government agency ever raise it.

At this point he mentioned Article 54 of the Political Constitution referring to the integrity, inalienability, and inviolability of the national territory.

Moreover, he stressed that "boundary treaties are stony."

Subsequently, the Foreign Affairs minister gave a presentation of the bilateral instruments and treaties that Peru had signed with Bolivia —none of which contemplates the transfer of sovereignty.

Lastly, he called on the national representation to stand united in order to consolidate national interests.

(END) RMCH/VVS/MVB

Published: 2/1/2022