20:40 | Washington, Jun. 01 (ANDINA).
Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez said Tuesday that Latin America and Peru seek to promote a modern democracy with more technology and investment, adding that Peru’s free trade agreement with the United States will generate more jobs in the Andean country.
"We are convinced that democracy will become stronger and stronger in Latin America. But this democracy needs to be modern, vibrant, a democracy that works with technology, with investment, one that does not fall into the trap of protectionism — protectionism which can only lead to poverty," he said.
Garcia Perez, who met with U.S. President Barack Obama in the White House on Tuesday evening, noted that Peru is a country that congratulates itself on having attained a free trade agreement with the United States, one that will "promote more jobs, more technology, and more investment."
The visiting leader said he was very pleased that Peru chose correctly in the last few years, saying this has been demonstrated in fact.
"We opened our economy. We opened the way to more investment. We were not beset by political complexes that made us close our doors. And so as a result, we’ve seen a growth in our economy. We’ve seen a growth in the job rate. We’ve seen all kinds of economic growth despite the international crisis that the world went through last year," he said.
Garcia Perez thanked President Obama for his invitation to the White House, where the two leaders held a very warm and friendly meeting on global issues ranging from improving global economy to addressing nuclear nonproliferation.
"We discussed global issues. Although Peru is not a major power in the world today, it is a country that believes firmly, as does the United States, that nuclear proliferation must stop here and now. This is something that we believe in very firmly. We believe in nuclear non-proliferation. We believe in putting a stop to nuclear disorder. And we support President Obama’s ideas," noted Garcia.
Regarding the global economic crisis, President Garcia said that the United States has exerted very important leadership in this sense, calling on the meetings of the G20. "I agree with the criteria that we have presented at those fora. We believe in the importance of economic expansion, and also regulation of economic activity."
"But all countries need very deep reforms economically in order to avoid the stumbles and falls that have beset some regions of the world; we’re looking at what happened in Europe just recently," he added.
The South American leader suggested that a professional organization, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), should be following up on these G20 proposals.
According to President Garcia, today in South America "we’re seeing the waning effects of socialist capitalism — a force that has not led to good results, a force that would have had us close our doors and open up the path to poverty."
He added that the two countries' governments will continue to discuss a number of other issues when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton comes to Peru next week to attend the OAS General Assembly. "we will continue talking about our commitment to combat drug trafficking," stressed Garcia Perez.
In comments to reporters after his meeting with Barack Obama, Garcia called on the U.S. Congress to support a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration policies.
"We will continue to talk about our defense and support for immigration reform. And we would ask the U.S. Congress to support this idea," he said.
In addition, President Garcia thanked the United States for helping Peru to secure peace and security by combating the illegal drug trade.
Finally, he said the two countries will continue talking about other issues — "issues that I know will be supported by the strong friendship and leadership shown by President Obama that will lead to a greater partnership between our two countries."
(END) EEP
Video: Obama: Peru has been extraordinary success story. Source: Whitehouse
Publicado: 1/6/2010