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FA Min: Peru is seen as economy that relies on humane face and credibility

Photo: ANDINA/Andres Valle

11:09 | Lima, Mar. 4.

Foreign Affairs Minister Cesar Landa asserted that Peru is seen as an economy that has a humane face and credibility.

In an interview with the Official Gazette El Peruano, the Cabinet member highlighted the positive position that the country enjoys among international organizations, and reiterated the national stance of condemning the aggression against Ukraine.

Conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, he said.

-What results has your working visit to Geneva brought to Peru?

We have made a presentation before the United Nations Human Rights Council, where we expressed the Peruvian stance regarding the defense of rights and democracy, particularly in these circumstances the aggression against Ukraine, thus condemning it.

Peru defends peace and security as a foreign policy, and the solution to any conflict must be reached from the point of view of dialogue and diplomacy, which is why the immediate cessation of attacks has been ordered —especially if there is an affected civilian population.

We have also had meetings with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Filippo Grandi), who has addressed Poland to lend support, given the influx of people fleeing the war. In addition, we have spoken with Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has reconfirmed her upcoming visit to Peru.

During another meeting with the president of the World Economic Forum, which organizes the Davos forum, the invitation for President Pedro Castillo to participate in the meeting this May was ratified. It unites government economic leaders so as to propose solutions to the problems of the world's economy with a vision of post-pandemic sustainability.

–What is the perception that you have been able to gather about Peru in Geneva?

International organizations see that Peru is moving forward, in terms of affirming an economy with humane face, growth, and credibility; let us remember that two weeks ago the Bloomberg agency placed Peru in a spot above Chile, in terms of confidence.

Concerning human rights or humanitarian organizations, they observe that Peru is complying with the standards for the protection of basic civil, political, humanitarian, and social freedoms, such as health, as well as respect for property and legal security.

-Peru recently received the invitation to start the process of accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), what benefits could this bring if it materializes?

The OECD has pillars which promote the development of a country, a sustainable development that entails economic growth under quality standards, an improvement of the economic system from the legal point of view, the recognition of property, trade, collection of taxes, improvement of working conditions, of pacification so that investments are made without obstruction and that there is dialogue; governance is an important factor.

Countries with a roadmap for accession have taken between 5 and 7 years. In Geneva, we spoke with Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and other officials who have worked in their countries so as to join the OECD, and we agreed to have direct experience with them to find out what their strengths have been (…) and the weaknesses to overcome.

Joining the OECD is within the framework of our national objectives and the United Nations 2030 Development Goals. Aspiring to this integration will make it possible to seek consensus at the internal level with Parliament, the country's economic forces and society in general, a kind of harmonization for the sake of the country, of those most in need.

Depending on the projected work and how they see us from abroad, can we be optimistic about this accession process?

Yes. To be invited we have received the endorsement from countries that are already part of the OECD. This does not start from scratch; preliminary steps have been taken both from competent bodies such as the Ministries of Economy and Foreign Trade, even from Congress that modified a rule which could have been debatable for progress (…).

It is a task that is being adapted in terms of trade, investments, and guarantees of legal security, property or intellectual property.

How should ordinary Peruvians interpret this eventual entry into the OECD, as the possibility of having a fairer and more inclusive country?

The ordinary Peruvian citizen (…) must understand that the Government has the responsibility to guarantee well-being with justice, with security; and this opportunity to join the OECD, in the medium term, helps to strengthen, to satisfy the basic needs of the majority of the population, such as, for example, having a school with adequate infrastructure, adequate food, having universities with high-standard academic levels.

Accession to the OECD is a task for everyone, from the private sector, from the social sector. It requires organization of the State, of an intersectoral team that leads it under a roadmap dictated within the framework of dialogue.

An issue that worries the world nowadays is the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Peru has already stated its stance and voted this week in favor of the United Nations resolution. What meaning does this action have?

Without peace or civil order at the world level we cannot speak of well-being or development. We have condemned military aggression because it breaks all rules of international law; conflicts must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy; that is why the responsibility of the Russian Federation has been pointed out. And that is why order must be restored by de-escalating the conflict, establishing dialogue, and respecting the people who are leaving, as well as the civilian population that is object of the dire consequences.

The situation in Ukraine is a melting pot that reflects the problems of the world and our small space; any invasion must be condemned. At the international level, Peru stands in solidarity with countries like Ukraine and watches over the policy of condemning the invasion. The human side is the one that suffers the most.

There are Peruvians in Kiev and there is important work being done to get them out of the conflict zone; how is that task going?

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we developed a contingency plan to prevent this situation that had its outcome last weekend with the missile attacks.

With the support from our Consulate in Ukraine and the Embassy in Poland, it was possible for 24 Peruvians to arrive in Warsaw on Wednesday by train, and another seven did so before that.

We have been in support of the needs of our fellow citizens, through calls and the action of the Consul in Ukraine, who even put his life at risk for supporting these efforts. In this sense, it is also appropriate to thank the support provided by the media.

Today, the Peruvians who arrived in Warsaw have security and well-being, as well as the option of returning to Peru on commercial flights. We also thank the Ministry of Defense for making a plane available for the initial hypothesis of taking them out of Kiev. We expect that more Peruvians can leave (the area); there is a team in charge of conducting the monitoring.

Of the 31 who have already left, how many will return to Peru?

In principle that was the call (that they return), but they will make the decision whenever they deem it appropriate. Everything is ready for them to return to the country at any time; they rely on all diplomatic and consular support.

(END) DOP/MVB

Publicado: 4/3/2022