Andina

Peru's President: We have duty to defend spaces for regional unity

Photo: ANDINA/ Presidency of the Republic of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/ Presidency of the Republic of Peru

16:50 | Lima, Apr. 25.

During her participation in the ceremony for the 12th anniversary of the Pacific Alliance on Tuesday, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte affirmed there is a duty to defend spaces for regional unity in the face of common challenges such as poverty, inequality, and economic recovery.

The Head of State stressed that, during the past 12 years, the bloc has become the world's eighth-largest economy and the sixth exporting power, accounting for 42.9% of GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean, generating 57.4% of bilateral trade in the region.

Similarly, it draws 45% of foreign direct investment flows, while registering notable advances in the formation of human capital in development, social inclusion, and technical cooperation issues.

Under this premise, the top official expressed confidence that said regional bloc will continue with its activities under the spirit of unity that had inspired its creation.

Likewise, Mrs. Boluarte reaffirmed her commitment to continue working so that the bloc becomes a determining actor on the world stage.

Within this framework, the Head of State thanked Mexico's former President Felipe Calderon, as well as former Foreign Affairs Ministers of Chile, Alfredo Moreno, and of Peru, Jose Garcia Belaunde, for their participation at the ceremony.

In addition, Colombia's former President, Juan Manuel Santos, appeared at the event featured in a video.

"All of them were direct participants in the creation of this mechanism designed to achieve greater development, growth, and competitiveness in our countries through open integration to the world," she highlighted in her speech.

Similarly, the Head of State stressed the importance of the Pacific Alliance remaining strong, alive, valid, as well as becoming stronger and lasting over time.

Moreover, the top official reiterated her concern over Mexico's refusal to comply with its obligation to transfer the bloc's Pro-Tempore Presidency to Peru. In this sense, Mrs. Boluarte reminded attendees that her country will not give up on exercising said duty or keeping the bloc alive.

"Our countries have reached sufficient maturity and seriousness to go back in an integration process that has generated tangible results for the benefit of all our communities," she pointed out.

President Boluarte was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi during the ceremony.

About the bloc

The Pacific Alliance constitutes an integration mechanism that seeks to promote economic integration, trade, regional cooperation, and competitiveness among Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.

To date, it has received accession requests from Ecuador and Costa Rica to join as Member States; that is, as full members.

(END) NDP/GDS/JCC/MVB

Publicado: 25/4/2023