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Peru's minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Mercedes Aráoz reported today that a few days ago she sent a letter to her Chinese counterpart, Chen Deming, so that Chinese businessmen can determine their proposals and speed up Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

In this letter, we have reiterated to minister Chen Deming our request to clarify positions because they can not consider for the immediate tariff exemption those products that Peru proposed to be exempted in the long term.

Araoz indicated that Peru is ready to continue negotiating the trade agreement but as long as there is a suitable openness by the Chinese counterpart.

However, she ruled out that in the negotiation process there are struggles between both negotiating teams but every country gives priority to its own interests.

With respect to the possibilty of signing the bilateral FTA in November - seizing the opportunity that Chinese president Hu Jintao will visit Lima for the Summit of Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) - Aráoz confirmed this is the date proposed by both countries.

News source: ANDINA