Andina

Peru and Japan strengthen bilateral cooperation

Photo: AFP

15:26 | Tokyo (Japan), Sep. 1.

Within the framework of her official visit to Japan, Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi held a meeting with Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi at which they reaffirmed both countries' status as strategic partners held since 2016, and signed cooperation agreements.

During the event —held at the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters— both dignitaries indicated that, based on this status, Peru aspires to become the entry axis for a renewed Japanese presence in Latin America.

Minister Hayashi reiterated Japan's support for the Peruvian Presidency of the APEC forum in 2024 and its commitment to expand the implementation of the Joint Declaration of the Pacific Alliance and Japan of 2019 —within the framework of Peru's Pro-Tempore Presidency of said bloc.

Likewise, Minister Gervasi and her Japanese counterpart visited the diplomatic archive room at the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, where various historical documents of the bilateral relationship are exhibited —within the framework of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Visit to BAP Union
 
Afterwards, Foreign Affairs Minister Gervasi welcomed her Japanese counterpart to the BAP Union. There, both of them
 held a working meeting.


At the meeting, it was agreed to promote the provisions by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a renewed Strategic Partnership through a Roadmap in 2024. To that end, they agreed to create a working group with the participation of both countries' Foreign Affairs ministries and embassies.

Similarly, various issues of the bilateral relationship were addressed, such as the need to boost trade, Japanese investments in infrastructure projects, as well as the full implementation of the Visa Waiver Agreement for ordinary passports of 1971.

Furthermore, they discussed new modalities of people-to-people exchange, such as the establishment of a vacation and work program, as well as technical visas for qualified workers.

Moreover, the signing of agreements on Cooperation in Antarctic Matters and Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Peru and the Foreign Service Training Institute of Japan took place.

Later, both authorities delivered a statement before domestic and international media outlets. At this event, they highlighted the excellent bilateral relationship, which is at the Strategic Partnership level.

In this regard, Minister Gervasi explained that this reflects the high level of political dialogue, framed in coincidences of respect and promotion of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental liberties, international peace and security, as well as trade openness and economic integrity.

During her speech, the diplomat indicated that Peru is interested in promoting greater use of the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to increase value-added exports to the Japanese market.

She also thanked Japan for its cooperation, especially that received during the COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Yaku, as well as the accompaniment in Peru's accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Lastly, she affirmed Peru is highly honored that Her Imperial Highness, 
Princess Kako, will visit our country at the beginning of November.

Editor's note: Information provided by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(END) NDP/MVB

Published: 9/1/2023