Brussels, 23/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU has welcomed the important role played by Peru in the South American region in terms both of its commitment to social inclusion and its promotion of free trade.
During a visit to the Peruvian capital Lima on Tuesday 22 January, EU High Representative for External Relations Catherine Ashton hailed the “important role” played by Peru in the run-up to the 7th EU-Latin America and Caribbean (CELAC) summit in Santiago de Chile on 26-27 January. Heads of state and government and delegations from the 60 countries of the two regions (see EUROPE 10768) will meet at this summit. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault and German Chancellor,Angela Merkel will be attending the summit, together with the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission.
On Tuesday, Ashton held a meeting with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Minister for Foreign Affairs Rafael Roncaglilo and his opposite number for the environment, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal. She said that the EU/CELAC would focus on the fight against drugs, social inclusion and the climate.
The high representative and the Peruvian first lady, Heredia Nadine, also attended a meeting on the European programme tackling childhood malnutrition. She congratulated the Peruvian government for the boost it had given to the country's economy, whilst taking into account social inclusion.
Ashton also welcomed Peru's commitment to free trade by way of its participation in the multipartite trade agreement, together with Colombia and the EU. This agreement is due to come into force in February and includes the liberalisation of tariffs and the opening up of the public procurement markets.
The high representative highlighted the importance of focusing on SMEs in this agreement. Her colleague, the commissioner for industry and enterprise, will meet several members of the Peruvian government, in addition to President Humala, this Wednesday.
On Thursday, Ashton will be in Santiago de Chile, where she will address the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat) and meet with representatives from Chilean civil society. On Friday she will co-chair an EU/CELAC foreign affairs ministers' meeting. (EH/transl.fl)