Peru and UK celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

09:17 | London (U.K.), Oct. 11

Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi met with United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly —within the framework of the commemoration of 200 years of diplomatic relations.

At the meeting, held in London, both high-ranking authorities welcomed this important date.

Likewise, the officials seemed glad about the extraordinary progress in the bilateral relationship. Similarly, they underscored the future outreach of our ties.

Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen environmental cooperation, with emphasis on the Amazonia.

Minister Gervasi stressed that this should be done from a perspective with humane face, which seeks to protect and boost the development of indigenous communities.

The Peruvian official asked her counterpart to include Peru in the Youth Mobility Scheme, so that young Peruvians can work for up to two years in the UK, as well as in the Registered Traveller System —a benefit for frequent travelers that allows for a more expeditious entry into that territory.

In turn, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs reaffirmed his support for Peru's accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as for increasing investments and trade from the UK into Peru, in sectors such as mining, strategic metals, clean energy, and infrastructure.

Finally, both authorities expressed their concern about the situation of violence that the Middle East region is going through. In this sense, Secretary Cleverly highlighted the Peruvian Communiqué No. 021-23, which was issued when the crisis broke out.

It is important to underscore that the visit by the Peruvian official is of great importance because it is the first that Peru has made, at the level of Foreign Affairs ministers, to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 16 years. The last visit took place in 2007.

It is also necessary to note that the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Peru and the United Kingdom occurred on October 10, 1823, the date of the appointment of Thomas Rowcroft as British Consul General in Peru.

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

(END) NDP/MVB

Published: 10/11/2023