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Peru Fin Min: ICSID will not overlook Odebrecht corruption acts

09:56 | Lima, Feb. 7.

Peruvian Economy and Finance Minister Maria Antonieta Alva on Friday affirmed that the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) will not overlook the corruption acts —committed by the Odebrecht company— in the lawsuit filed by the Brazilian construction company against the Peruvian State.

"Since Odebrecht has taken this route, we are going to defend ourselves vigorously. We have full confidence in the strength of our arguments, and we believe that the ICSID will not overlook the corruption acts the company is involved in," she told TV Peru.



Multi-sectoral commission

The minister clarified that she has not met with representatives of the Odebrecht company, because that is not a task of the Economy and Finance Ministry, since there is a multisectoral commission created by law for such cases.

"Any issue related to a dispute is within the scope of a multisectoral commission, created by law, and Odebrecht knew this since 2017. So, I would like citizens to know that any route other than this commission is irregular," Alva stated.

"In that sense, the Ministry of Economy and Finance had nothing to negotiate with them (Odebrecht executives). The law does not give us those powers. We strongly deny that we have met with the companies, and even less to discuss those matters, because it would be an irregular situation," she added.

"Knowing this, it (Odebrecht) did not enter any requirement or formally filed any claim, so this commission could not rule either for or against."

(END) CNA/MVB

Published: 2/7/2020