Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Public transportation to operate normally during EU-LAC Summit, says Vega Llona

(LIP-do) -- The head of the High Level Commission of the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit, Ricardo Vega Llona, said that public transport will operate normally during the days of the summit and added that traffic access has only been restricted at some avenues near hotels where foreign guests will stay. Vega Llona mentioned that streets located in the surrounding areas of hotels will be restricted, but emphasized that alternative routes will be used to avoid traffic congestion and disturbances to guests. He mentioned that most restricted avenues are located in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. For this reason, Vega Llona asked Limeños to be patient because the carrying out of this international summit will benefit Peru in a significant way.


200 women attend APEC Digital Economy Forum for Women in Arequipa

(LIP-do) -- At least 200 women including businesswomen and representatives from the government and non governmental organizations from the 21 member economies of the Asia Pacific region attend the first meeting of APEC “Digital Economy Forum for Women” in Arequipa. The first topic to be discussed at the meeting is the “Introduction to Initiative for APEC Women’s Participation in the Digital Economy. To continue reading this article click here.


Bachelet and Evo Morales to hold bilateral meeting during EU-LAC Summit in Lima

(LIP-do) -- The presidents of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, and Bolivia, Evo Morales, will hold a bilateral meeting in Lima, within the framework of the V EU-LAC Summit, which will take place from May 13 to 17. The Bolivian government confirmed the meeting and indicated that one of the issues of the bilateral agenda will be the demand of Bolivia to obtain an outlet to the Pacific Ocean. During this meeting Morales and Bachelet will tackle of issues of bilateral interest focusing on 13 points. The Bolivian press reported that prior to the presidential encounter, the chancellors of both countries, Alejandro Foxley from Chile and David Choquehuanca from Bolivia, will hold a meeting to define the details of the presidential meeting.


San Miguel, Lima to organize Peruvian Folk and Dance Festivals during EU-LAC

(LIP-do) -- The Municipality of San Miguel in Lima will organize two festivals showcasing the best of Peruvian folklore and traditional dances on May 14 and 15 as a way to welcome the distinguished visitors that will arrive in Lima to attend the V EU-LAC Summit. On May 14th, the best exponents of Peruvian folk dances will perform in the "Traditional and Contemporary Dance Show” to start at 19:45 at the “Casa de la Cultura” (420, Federico Gallese Avenue). On May 15th, the Municipality of San Miguel will offer the show called “Focklore Summit”, in which a rich repertoire of Peruvian dances and songs will be presented. This show will take place at the municipal stadium "Adelfo Magallanes", at 17:30, and will feature renowned artist like Sonia Morales, William Luna and Grupo América.


News Source: Andina

Vehicular and pedestrian access restrictions due to EU-LAC Summit to start May 10

(LIP-do) -- Vehicular and pedestrian access restrictions to the surrounding areas of the National Museum, National Library and 14 hotels in Lima will be in force from May 10 (at 22:00 p.m.) to May 18 on the occasion of the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit, announced Lima police chief Gen. Javier Uribe. Uribe said that the registration of people living in the surrounding areas of the Summit's venues and hotels has not yet concluded which is why he urged neighbors to do it as soon as possible. Gen. Uribe asked neighbors to restrict their family and friend visits during the days of the summit which is to be held from May 13 to 17. He also ruled out imposing a curfew for these days. Some of the hotels that will accommodate visiting world leaders are Marriot, Los Delfines, Country Club, Meliá, El Olivar, Royar Park Lima, Las Américas, Miraflores Park Plaza, Sol de Oro, Golf Los Incas, among others.


EU-LAC non-working holidays to be made up later

(LIP-do) -- The minister of Labour, Mario Pasco Cosmópolis, pointed out today the non-working holidays' hours due to the EU-LAC summit will have to be made up later. “This is an authorization for not working, it is not a banning. People who will work those days won’t get double salary and who won’t work will have to compensate those days working later”, he said. The government decree approved Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 as non-working holidays for Lima and Callao because of the summit. These holidays are obligatory for the private sector. The minister remarked that the purpose of these holidays is to facilitate transit for people as well as for vehicles in Lima and Callao.


5,000 to attend Exhibition of businesswomen’s products in Arequipa

(LIP-do) -- More than five thousand people living in the southern region of Arequipa are expected to attend the Exhibition of Businesswomen’s Products that will take place from May 11 to 14 in this lively city in the framework of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. The regional coordinator of the Ministry of Woman and Social Development (Mimdes) in Arequipa Gerardo Lovón Zavala said this is a good opportunity to appreciate the wide range of export products made by Peruvian and foreign businesswomen. "People attending the event will have the chance to visit the 150 stands set up at Cerro Juli Convention Center in Arequipa", he added. To continue reading the article, click here.


News Source: Andina

Businesses in Lima to be opened during EU-LAC Summit holiday

(LIP-do) -- Businesses in Lima such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, among others, are allowed to be open and have normal activities during the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) holidays from May 15 to 17, Prime minister Jorge Del Castillo stated today.


700 elite police officers to ensure security at APEC meetings in Arequipa

(LIP-do) -- About 700 police officers, including members of elite units deployed in the southern region of Arequipa, will provide security for more than 1,500 people attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings to be held in this city. Police officers have received one-month special-operations training in order to improve their performance. Special Tactics Sub-unit (SUAT), Explosive Disposal Unit (UDEX), and Emergency and Rescue Squadron are some of the squads trained to provide security during APEC days.


Europe to announce environmental action plan at EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- European Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, said today that Latin America countries are “an open zone for European investment”, therefore “it is very important to maintain current favorable conditions with focus on reducing poverty in the region”. In a video conference broadcast to 14 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Mandelson underscored the need for these countries to exploit their economic potential in order to create more jobs and achieve their desired development. “Latin America represents an open zone for foreign investment and the European Union is a great investor, but it is necessary to maintain current conditions. In effect, we are expanding our markets, and both blocs must continue being partners to create future”, he expressed. To continue reading the article, click here.


National Library to exhibit books returned by Chile at EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- Director of Lima's National Library, Hugo Neira, said that some of the priceless antique books returned by the Chilean government December of last year, and other valuable documents held at Peru's National Library, will be exhibited during the V EU-LAC Summit. “Lima's National Library will showcase its bibliographic jewels because this summit is a great opportunity to introduce the country's history and culture”, Neira said.


News Source: Andina

25 European delegations confirmed attendance at EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- About 25 European delegations and almost all Latin American presidents have confirmed their attendance to the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit to be held in Lima from May 13 to 16, Peruvian vice chancellor Gonzalo Gutierrez reported today. According to the diplomatic, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, France, Portugal, Czech Republic and Romania will be represented by their Heads of State or Government. The said only Ireland's attendance and representation haven’t been confirmed yet. The ambassador confirmed today that the French president and the British prime minister Gordon Brown won't be present at Lima summit but these countries will have a representative. To continue reading this article click here.


Tourism Police starts campaign to guide tourists during EU-LAC and APEC summits

(LIP-do) -- The Directorate of Tourism and Ecology of Peru’s National Police (PNP) started a campaign to guide and help foreign tourists on the occasion of the V EU-LAC Summit and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) to be held in Lima this year. PNP Colonel César Fourment stated that this campaign, launched with the presence of “Turística” and “Turístico” dolls, aims to inform all Peruvians – through the distribution of informative leaflets - about these summits and their importance for Peru. “We have 20,000 leaflets to distribute”, said Fourment after stating that this campaign will be done in Lima’s Main Square and San Martín Square, as well as in Limean districts such as Miraflores and San Isidro. Furthermore, he said that they will also distribute guidance leaflets in Peru’s National Museum and National Library and requested the people of Peru to treat the tourist in the best possible way to keep the image of Peru as a tourist place. The PNP is coordinating with several embassies to inform foreign tourists to visit PNP’s website before coming to Peru, he added. Peruvian Police recommends foreign tourists to change currency in authorized currency exchange dealers, watch their belongings, be careful while shopping, and take yellow cabs.


Peru expects to strengthen relation with Chile during EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- The minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Mercedes Aráoz said she expects Peru and Chile can strengthen their bilateral relation during the V EU-LAC Summit and added that both countries may become strategic partners to place more products in the Asian market, in the framework of the APEC Forum. “We want to improve our bilateral relation with Chile and also to soothe the tensions in topics that may be treated in a separate way”, she stated to Andina. Aráoz said that two meetings held last year in Lima and Santiago aimed to create a joint promotion plan in products in which these countries do not compete. “We had an exchange of possibilities such as having an agenda since the productive capacities of both countries are limited and may generate a productive scale. We have planned to create a joint promotion plan in products in which there is no competition between both countries”, she explained.


News Source: Andina

Everything ready for APEC women forum in Arequipa

(LIP-do) -- The meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will start on May 9 with the “Digital Economy Forum for Women 2008: Global Strategy and e-Development of Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean”. The sector coordinator of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development (Mimdes) in Arequipa, Gerardo Lovón Zavala, pointed out that the first APEC meeting will be postponed until Saturday May 10 and it will gather businesswomen, academics and government representatives who are linked to the digital economy topics and the electronic commerce. “Mimdes organizes this meeting with the purpose of promoting the women participation in the use and access of the information and communication technologies with commercial aims”, affirmed Lovón.


Over 150 Gamarra’s entrepreneurs to showcase clothes during EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- With the slogan “Enjoy Gamarra, from La Victoria to the World", more than 150 small garment manufacturers will showcase from May 12 to 18 showcase their entire range of clothes during the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC). International guests and attendees to the EU-LAC Summit in Lima will be able to get to know and appreciate Peruvian manufacturers' high quality products, exhibited in 150 stands set up along one of the main avenues in the old and popular residential district of La Victoria. Gamarra's fair aims at showing the area's booming garment manufacturing industry in order to facilitate manufacturers and distributors' access to the main international markets.


Bolivian Chancellor confirms Evo Morales' attendance to EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- Bolivia’s Foreign Affairs minister, David Choquehuanca, confirmed the attendance of Evo Morales to the EU-LAC Summit to be held in Peru on May 16th and 17th despite Santa Cruz state's autonomy referendum. Choquehuanca assured that Bolivia enjoys a peaceful environment and added that yesterday’s referendum has no validity since it was made on the wrong side of the law. After mentioning that the events on Sunday were exaggerated by the media, he invited Peruvians to visit Bolivia to see that they promote a culture of peace and dialogue.


IPeru-Arequipa trained security personnel and taxi drivers for APEC

(LIP-do) -- The citizen security personnel of the municipalities of Socabaya, Characato, and Yanahuara, as well as 800 taxi drivers were trained in tourism and customer service in order to assist arriving delegates of the APEC forum. IPerú supervisor in Arequipa, Yermeth Murguía Vizcardo, said that training courses were organized jointly with the regional government in a major attempt to improve services for tourists visiting the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City), Arequipa. The training for the security staff of three traditional municipalities of Arequipa was carried out given the great number of visitors coming to these places because of their tourist attractions. On the other hand, 800 taxi drivers of Taxitel received an intensive course of customer service. Taxitel is the official company in charge of serving APEC attendees in Arequipa, said Murguía.


News Source: Andina

National Police registers taxi drivers for EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- All companies providing taxi services near the venues of the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), have to be registered with the local police station. General of the Peruvian National Police (PNP), Ricardo Benavides, head of APEC General Command, said today that vehicles’ registration and authorization are absolutely necessary for providing taxi services to delegation visitors as well as to foreign journalists who will arrive to Lima. He said allowing the National Police to register taxi drivers will enhance the safety of the riding public by ensuring that only legitimate, licensed companies transport consumers to their desired destinations. "Every private or public company whose employees or vehicles need to enter the restricted area, must be registered with the local police station", said General Benavides. He added that those citizens registered to transit near the Summit's venues will have to carry their national identification document (DNI). “We will not conduct raids to catch those without IDs, but we will forbid them from entering the area”, emphasized Benavides.

Mathematics learning is highlighted in APEC and Education Fair

(LIP-do) -- To know the principles of Mathematics is fundamental to be involved in a world dominated by the new Information Technology (IT), regardless the own profession, said today the vice minister of Pedagogical Management, Idel Vexler Talledo, during the inauguration of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and Education Fair. In a short speech, Vexler also highlighted the need of learning foreign languages for businesses and any other form of international exchange. To continue reading this article, click here.


News Source: Andina

More police officers to provide security during EU-LAC days

(LIP-do) -- An extra 3000 police officers will be deployed around the city to provide security for arriving EU-LAC summit attendees. General director of Peru’s Police Force, Octavio Salazar, said these officers will strengthen patrolling and surveillance capacity during the days of the world summit. Salazar added that the same measure will be implemented during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Peru in November. Salazar mentioned that at least 400 police officers have received training abroad in the last two years. This training was made in countries that have held a world summit before such as Australia, Chile and the United States. Finally, Salazar highlighted that the police squad has incorporated a K-9 squad for these events. These dogs (German shepherds and rottweilers among others) have been trained to detect explosive devices.

Ecosystem approach to fisheries management to be proposed at APEC Summit

(LIP-do) -- The implementation of the ecosystem approach which promotes both conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources in an equitable way will be proposed at the 16th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting to take place in Lima in November. This was announced by the head of the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE), Hector Soldi. “We have held a technical meeting with all Pacific Basin countries to discuss the management of fisheries and marine resources and we have reached a number of agreements which will be presented at November's summit", said Soldi. He also mentioned that one of the agreements reached was to implement the ecosystem based approach to sea use management. The ecosystem approach seeks to integrate the management of land, water, and living resources to promote conservation and sustainable use.


Tourism Police ready to assist visitors during international summits

(LIP-do) -- Peru's Tourism Police Unit is ready to assist with an optimum service to the visitors during the APEC and EU-LAC international summits to be held this year in our country. The director of Tourism and Ecology of the Peruvian National Police (PNP), colonel César Fourment Paredes, said this department has currently over 100 police officers who do their best for accomplishing their mission of support, orientation, security, and protection for tourists and their belongings, as well as taking care of the historical, cultural, natural, and national tourist heritage. However, the colonel indicated that as far as new personnel come from police schools to be joined to the institution, the police body will increase progressively its staff to strengthen the work.


News Source: Andina

French President cancelled his attendance at EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- French president Nicolas Sarkozy cancelled his attendance at the V European Union-Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit to be held on May 16 -17 due to the French government's preparations to hold the European Union presidency. French government made this announcement after an interview given by Sarkozy to a group of journalists in which he made a review of his first year of administration. However, EU-LAC organizers said they have not received any official news about Sarkozy’s cancelled visit.

European Parliament’s opinion about MRTA must not affect EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- Peruvian minister of Defense, Ántero Flores Aráoz, said today that the European Parliament’s decision of not including the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) in the European list of terrorist groups must not affect the V Summit of European Union, Latin American and the Caribbean (EU-LAC). “This must not affect such an important summit which will lead us to progress in our economic relations with the European continent and will put Latin America and Peru on the map of modernity”, he said in a national TV program. Flores-Aráoz added that the European Parliament has only issued a non-binding opinion which does not change MRTA's terrorist nature, a leftist guerrilla that shows their ongoing seditious activity in their website. He considered that the European Parliament’s decision must not be exaggerated, although he admitted that this decision has not been well-received by Peruvians.

“Healthy restaurants” in San Borja to join gastronomic circuit during EU-LAC and APEC Summits

(LIP-do) -- Ten restaurants of the Limeñan district of San Borja were named “Healthy Restaurants” and will join the gastronomic circuit promoted during V EU-LAC Summit to be held on May 16 in the National Museum, and the XVI APEC Forum which will take place from November 16 to 23 in the headquarters of the Peruvian Army. The "Healthy Restaurant" certification means that the above-mentioned restaurants offer total safety guarantees, after having passed all the Ministry of Health and Municipality of San Borja's requirements, during the evaluation process. The restaurants will present their dishes during an event which will be held on April 30, with a presentation of Peruvian food and dances. The restaurants that participate in this event have special national and international cuisine: criolla, Japanese, Korean and Italian food, fish and seafood and the traditional “pollo a la brasa”, a Peruvian roasted chicken.


News Source: Andina

Nextel lends 700 phones to EU-LAC Summit organizers

(LIP-do) -- In an effort to enhance organizing capacity, Wireless communications company Nextel is to lend 700 mobile phones to EU-LAC Summit organizers thanks to an agreement signed by the company and the High Level Commission of the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC). The president of the EU-LAC High Level Commission, Ricardo Vega Llona, said this agreement will also allow organizers to tighten and implement security measures for the summit. Vega Llona highlighted the advanced technology to be used at the summit which includes unlimited wireless communications service (Unlimited Nextel Direct Connection). Mobile phones will be distributed among the different Summit organizing teams covering areas such as Direction Center, Transport, Security, Health, Informatics, Maintenance, Room Management, Zone Supervisors, and Press Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others. Company's president in Peru, Miguel Rivera, said that Nextel is determined to support and provide the necessary services to make this Summit a great success.


Schools in Lima and Callao to display EU-LAC countries' flags

(LIP-do) -- As part of the activities to welcome EU-LAC representatives, all schools in Lima and Callao will display the flags of the 60 participating countries at the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) to take place in Lima from May 13 to 17. Public and private schools will be part of the festive atmosphere upon the arrival of world leaders and delegates attending this important event to be held at the National Museum and Library. Directors of the Local Education Management Units (UGELES) are in charge of the rule’s application issued by the Ministry of Education, said the coordinator of municipalities and Education sector, Javier Morán. ”The goal is that every school displays the 60 flags with the National flag giving a colorful frame to the additional cultural-artistic activities to take place in the different districts of Lima”, said Morán.


15 special police units to provide security during world summits

(LIP-do) -- Over fifteen special police units of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) will ensure security and public order across the country before, during and after the world summits to take place in Peru this year. Some of the Special Police Units are the APEC General Command, the Police Operations Executive Directorate (DIREOP), the Anti Terrorism Directorate (DIRCOTE), Crime Investigation Directorate (DIRINCRI) and the Special Operations Directorate (DIROES), among others. Local authorities and a special team of police officers have been preparing for two years to host the world summits. Police units have looked to previous APEC and EU-LAC host countries for advice on security matters. PNP’s general director, Octavio Salazar, pointed out that 94 thousand 500 police officers will be working night and day to provide security during the major events.

News Source: Andina

New patrol vehicles to arrive on May 9th to guarantee safety for EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- The minister of Interior, Luis Alva Castro, announced today that the first patrol vehicles from a fleet of one thousand cars purchased by Peru’s Police Force through an international public bid will arrive on May 9th. “The new patrol vehicles will start to arrive on May 9th. We have trained staff to use these vehicles and will provide us more safety”, he said. Alva Castro assured that the safety measures for the V Summit of Heads of State of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) are now guaranteed. Furthermore, he explained that several government officials have traveled abroad in the last two years to evaluate how the different presidential summits have been carried out and gained experience to guarantee the safety of the guests.

Lima school directors and mayors to be trained on EU-LAC Summit

(LIP-do) -- The directors and mayors of the Lima schools will be trained, from April 23 to 30, on the significance of the International Summits which will take place this year in Peru, focusing in the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) to be held in May. According to the activities scheduled in the educational area, school directors who belong to the Local Education Management Unit l - UGEL N 3, which includes Cercado de Lima and others districts such as Lince, Breña, Pueblo Libre, Magdalena, Jesús María, La Victoria, San Miguel and San Isidro, will be trained today. Ugel Nº 3 Director, Cornelio Gonzáles Torres stated that in this training –in charge of expositors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs- will participate 300 directors and topics will be not only related to the nature and importance of EU-LAC for Peru but also to the active participation of the population, particularly the school community, in order to receive the distinguished visitors in the framework of a civic feast. He also added that they are preparing allegorical floats, a gastronomic festival with typical dishes of the 60 countries which constitute the EU-LAC Summit and a concert with representative music of each country.


Peru to organize 6th Secure Trade in the APEC Region Conference in August

(LIP-do) -- Peru will organize in August the Sixth Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR VI)Conference, which will have a temporary character in the framework of the meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that will be held in Peru this year. Topics at the STAR Conference have focused on policies and procedures to enhance security and efficiency in the APEC region's seaports, airports and other access points, including port and airport security, shipping container security, coastal patrol, capacity building, financial assistance, and private sector initiatives.The STAR initiative is also fostering coordination between public and private entities that it is highly necessary to counteract terrorist threats through the supply chain. To continue reading this article, click here.

News Source: Andina