11:16 | Lima, May 29 (ANDINA).
Peru and Canada signed today a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a ceremony held at the Government Palace.
Helena Guergis, Canada's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said that this Free Trade Agreement seeks to reduce poverty rates in Peru and also to provide protection for workers' rights.
In turn, Peruvian minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Aráoz, said that this trade deal is based on responsible social investments, where Peru will also learn from Canada’s experience in forestry topics and sustainable growth.
Peru and Canada also signed a Labor Cooperation Agreement and an Environmental Cooperation Agreement to promote measures of environmental protection and advisory assistance between both countries.
It’s worth mentioning that Peru and Canada concluded the FTA negotiations on January 26th in the city of Davos (Switzerland).
During the negotiation rounds, Peru and Canada discussed bilateral market access for goods, services, investment and public biddings among other topics.
The ceremony was chaired by Peru’s Alan García and was attended by Peruvian FM José Antonio García Belaunde, Canada’s minister of Labour Jean Pierre Blackburn and other government officials.
(END) RBM/JPC/LGV/EEP
Publicado: 29/5/2008