signed a Joint Declaration, thus completing the 14th Ecuador-Peru Presidential Meeting and Binational Cabinet in the Ecuadorian city of Loja on Friday.
At the end of this event, the Peruvian Head of State said there is still a long way to go to face common problems such as drug trafficking, indiscriminate logging, crime, poverty, and pollution, among others.
The top official stressed that Peru and Ecuador are united by history, customs, music, as well as the peoples who call on authorities for a solution to their demands.
For his part, the hosting country's President stressed that the meeting in Loja served to address issues of great importance for the strengthening of the bilateral relationship and development in border areas.
Mr. Lasso reaffirmed the initiatives to boost the well-being of both nations' peoples, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the implementation of the
2030 Agenda for sustainable Development.
Peace agreement
The Ecuadorian Head of State also mentioned the historical importance of the peace agreement between Peru and Ecuador —signed in Brasilia in 1998— for bilateral integration and development.
In this regard, Mr. Lasso announced that it is up to both leaders to organize the activities within the framework of the 25th anniversary of the peace treaty, which will be commemorated in 2023.
The neighboring country's top official mentioned that in 2003 he served as the presidential delegate in charge of reviewing the peace agreement, which included the execution of public works and projects.
"(…) we must contribute our decision and political will so that those works, which have as purpose bringing our border area closer together, are carried out," he expressed.