Peru: ‘Peace is the way’ for Peru and Ecuador

‘Peace is the way’ for Peru and Ecuador; Brazilian president visits Peru; Bolivarian Games starts a fortnight of sport fiesta

‘Peace is the way’ for Peru and Ecuador

A ‘historical’ meeting of Peruvian-Ecuadorian presidents, Ollanta Humala and Rafael Correa, took place last Thursday, 14 November. After long-lasting territorial disputes between two South American countries, Peru and Ecuador consolidated the path to peace and integration during the 7^th Binational Cabinet Meeting. Six bilateral agreements on cooperation were signed.

Neighbouring countries’ leaders discussed topics ranging from health to energy and mutual security cooperation. ‘It was an extremely important event as it demonstrates the dynamic relationship that the two countries have’, commented on the bilateral talks vice minister Fernando Rojas. The meeting as a consequence of successful Peace Treaty of Brazil, signed 15 years ago, showed that ‘Peruvians and Ecuadorians want to practice and live in peace’, adds Rojas.

Key issues included into the meeting’s agenda ranged from social issues, infrastructure, connectivity, environment and defence, reports Andina news portal. ‘This is a lesson we are giving to the world as we are walking together on the path of peace and development, and as Rafael Coerra said upon arrival in Piura, “peace is the way”,’ Ollanta Humala said in his opening speech.

Despite political disputes that lasted for around one hundred years, Peruvian-Ecuadorian relationship is believed by Correa to be an example to follow by all countries of Latin America. ’There is no experience of countries that have been in war and now hold binational meetings every year as if they were a single government’. Ecuadorian president also notes that ‘peace has to be built on development, equity, dignity, and equality between our countries’.

Brazilian president visits Peru

Last Monday, 11 November, the president of Brazil has paid an official visit to Peru and met with Ollanta Humala to discuss investment growth between the two countries. The visit of Dilma Rousseff marks a ten-year anniversary of an alliance between Peru and Brazil. The strategic alliance has come to ‘a new threshold’, underlies Rousseff. The heads of both states discussed subjects as railway interconnection, integration, telecommunication, health, and pharmaceutical production.

In wake of the Rousseff’s visit, Brazilian investment in Peru is likely to rise to US$ 34 billion over the next twenty years, reported CAPEBRAS (Peru-Brasil Chamber of Commerce and Integration).

‘The goal is to reach a significant investment growth, thanks to a new agenda carried out by both nations for the coming two decades in the fields of energy, waterways, petrochemical industry, roads, garment, tourism, among others’’, said CAPEBRAS president, Miguel Vega Alvear. If the plan is carried out, Peru will enjoy 600% Brazilian investment growth.

‘This week demonstrated that Peru has a continuous foreign policy, which prioritizes relationships with neighbouring countries and promotion of integration’, stated vice minister Fernando Rojas.

Bolivarian Games starts a fortnight of sport fiesta

The 17^th Bolivarian Games kicked off on Saturday, 16 November with a ceremony full of colours in Trujillo city of northern Peru. The Games are usually held in honour of Simón Bolíval, and organized by ODEBO (Bolivarian Sports Organization with members countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela).

The Bolivarian Games 2013 is the first time that athletes not only from ODEBO countries are able to participate. This year Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Dominican Republic are joining this grandiose event. Around six thousand athletes are expected to participate in the Games until its end on 30 November.

In addition to Trujillo location, the Games will also take place in Chiclayo and Lima. Peru is expecting at least 60 medals this year and seeks to overcome the fourth place in 2009 in Bolivia.