Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-do) -- The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Chilean José Miguel Insulza, rejected the notion that the maritime border demand presented by Peru at the World Court at Hague, will not affect the bilateral relations between Lima and Santiago.

"It's a topic which is sitting in The Court and, definitively, I don't think it will affect each countries normal bilateral relations. Peru and Chile have rich and dense relations; each time they become more solidified in regards to economic development."

This past January, Peru arrived at the International Court of Justice at Hague to look for an end the maritime border dispute with Chile, which has limits not established in a treaty. Santiago sustains that the situation is settled because of the 1952 and 1954 accords.

"There exists things that unite both countries and I don't think that one single topic can reroute these relations from their path," stated Insulza.

He rejected the discrepancies that exist among Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador that could destabilize the region and said that he's sure "common sense will win out".

The Chilean diplomat was consulted on the protest in Colombia against Nicaragua for the use of a small military place to fly into its territory on a diplomatic mission but instead was used to transport two suspected women who belonged to FARC.

He rejected that this topic would affect the development of the V Summit of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) in Lima

"The fact that all the presidents are present here is a good sign. We will analyze the situation within the next week and look for alternative solutions."

Finally, he highlighted the organization of the V EU-LAC Summit.

"I've participated in a great number of summits. I won't name any in particular, but they've been very chaotic. This summit in Lima is very organized. You arrive everywhere and on time, and that's very important. Each summit to come should be organized in the same manner," he pointed out.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- The Lima Declaration which should be signed today by the Heads of State and Government of the V Europen Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit will address EU-LAC people's political priorities. "We will actively pursue the negotiations of Association Agreements as common strategic objectives of very high political piority", say EU-LAC leaders in the document.

Also, they reaffirm their commitment to the principles and values that support their biregional relationship, as well as to the shared objectives, commitments and joint positions adopted from Rio de Janeiro to Vienna.

They also congratulate successful implementation of the Association Agreements between Mexico and Chile and the EU.

EU-LAC leaders also welcomed the ongoing efforts to reach an agreement between the European Union and Central America.

"In this sense we recall the importance of regional integration as recognised in the Vienna Summit and we acknowledge with satisfaction the positive results achieved so far".

News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- Businesses from the commercial emporium Gamarra has, as of this moment, reach agreements with 20 foreign businesses to export its products since the beginning of the I Confectionery Fair Gamarra 2008, which has coincided with the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Summit (EU-LAC) Summit, confirmed the President of the Economy of said fair, Hugo Parduvé.

Parduvé said that the businessmen, coming from countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Chile, Bolivia and the United States, "have demonstrated that they're impressed by the high quality of our textiles and the competitiveness that the pieces could have in their markets."

During the I Confectionery Fair Gamarra 2008, which began on May 12 and will conclude this Sunday, more than 150 stands have been installed throughout the three blocks on Sebastián Barranca Street in La Victoria. They're displaying their best products with the mission of promoting during the international summit.

"Since the fair was inaugurated four days ago, we're accomplished a series of business meetings and as of right now, we've closed deals with 20 foreign businesses to export our products," Parduvé told Andina news.

He mentioned that later today, he would meet with three Cuban representatives and a representative from the United States Embassy.

"This Monday we'll have a round of meetings with businesses from Belgium. Also, 13 students from the University of Nebraska (U.S.) will study the phenomenon occurring at Gamarra and will use this example in their country," he confirmed.

The fair has received close to 400 thousand visitors, similar to how the emporium is during the holiday shopping season.

Businesses at Gamarra have commented that their sales have increased approximately 30 percent, especially with seasonal products such as jackets, sweaters and pants.

News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- Peru's Private Investment Promotion Agency (ProInversion) estimates that 15 billion dollars will be invested in the mining sector in exploration projects in the next five or six years, said today the agency's executive director, David Lemor.

During the opening ceremony of the First Investment Forum and Business Round of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), Lemor indicated that each year exploration projects increase considerably in number and extension in the country. He added that investment in mining exploration reached 475 million dollars last year.

The mineral richness of the Peruvian subsoil offers opportunities to explore and develop projects, but only ten percent of the Peru’s mining potential has been explored and six percent has been exploited, he added.

Lemor also pointed out that the energy sector, hydrocarbons and the petrochemical development calls the interest of worldwide investors considering that Peru has reserves and excellent conditions for development of gas and petrochemical industries.

“We have the only source of natural gas in the South American Pacific region. The Camisea field with 13.40 trillion square feet (TCF) of proved reserves and it is even indicated the existence of higher reserves”, he added.

In news also related to Peru's economic situation, Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, said that her country is “very pleased” by the performance of Peruvian economy, since this will allow Peru to face the challenges in the current international context, during an intermission of the Plenary Session of the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC).

Furthermore, Bachelet stated the opening speech made by Peru’s president, Alan García, was “splendid” since it reflected the need to seek concrete goals to solve the main problems which affect every country. The Chilean president said she wishes that EU-LAC leaders will establish “specific goals” by the end of this summit.

Bachelet arrived yesterday in Lima to be part of the V EU-LAC Summit and held a business meeting today with his Bolivian counterpart, Evo Morales.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- The Heads of State and Government started discussions on the working agenda of the V Summit of European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), after the official photo of EU-LAC leaders was taken at the front of the National Museum.

After participating in the official group photo, the heads of state and government started to hold four round tables covering topics related to poverty, social inclusion, sustained development, environment, climate change and energy.

Presidents also agreed to discuss “any additional topic” they decide to include in the working groups.

At 13:00 hours (18:00 GMT), the heads of state and government are scheduled to attend the official lunch which will take place at the Main Dining Room.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- European Parliament member, José Ignacio Salafranca, stressed today on the need for prompt conclusion of the association agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Andean Community of Nations (CAN).

Salafranca mentioned that the prompt conclusion of said agreements should also included in the EU agreements with the South Common Market (Mercosur) and the Central American countries.

“We believe these agreements should conclude before a new European Commission takes office in November next year,” Salafranca told Andina news agency.

José Ignacio Salafranca, who is in Lima attending the V EU-LAC Summit, noted that the EU supports the countries’ efforts towards regional integration based on its experience and because this is the best path for future progress.

“We know we have to come up with innovative solutions for those that are not prepared or do not believe in the advantages of these agreements, so they can move through each chapter of negotiations at their own pace without affecting other country's interests", he said.

Salafranca also welcomed Alan García's proposal to create a fund for reforestation programs in the Amazon region, with financial support from Europe.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- Peruvian president Alan García asked the Heads of State and Government of the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Summit (EU-LAC today to take realistic and specific measures against the world food crisis and climate change, and the strengthening of equity principles.

García inaugurated today the opening plenary session of the V Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU-LAC, which takes places at the Museo de la Nacion in Lima.

"From this summit, our people expect solutions, approaches and goals, rather than just declarations or simple meetings. I am convinced that our common wish is to give this V summit maturity to design a specific agenda on food, reforestation and strengthening of the principles of equality, through inclusion", he said.

The President suggested that all of the participating countries compromise to increase by 2 percent their food production as a way to avoid a shortage in the future.

"The efforts I ask from each one of you, our ministers, is to act on this one modest method: increase by 2 percent the output of your acres of cultivated lands so that humanity doesn't fall into the horrible hell of famine in some years," he said.

He insisted that it was vital that the Declaration of Lima include "concrete methods that go further than the routine and good intentions," and confirmed that the towns of Latin America and Europe expect decisions of its representatives in order to face the food crisis.

He indicated that its great that they have been able to point out the actual cause of the crisis, which is the change in cultivation for the production of biofuels and the increase in consumption of towns, but the real situation is that hundreds of millions of human beings are threatened by hunger "despite living in an era of advanced technology that mankind has made in the last decades."

President Garcia asked for "concrete decisions". "I hope tha the burden doesn't fall on us for not having made concrete plans to avoid this situation facing our people, because of the increase in fertilization, in biofuels, because others consume much more than we do," he said.

In regards to the protection of the environment, he restated his proposition to create a fund to reforest the amazon, provided that there be a small tax on natural gas and petroleum me established which would give the government 20 billions of dollars annually to reforest 10 millions acres a year.

Finally, he congratulated the decision the Spanish government made in supporting Latin America with 1,500 millions of dollars for water and sewage projects.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- The European Union officials participating in the V EU-LAC Summit will hold on Saturday “mini summits” with Latin America and Caribbean sub-regional groups, including the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), in order to cover bi-regional association issues, said ambassador Hernán Couturier.

“One of the topics to be discussed by the EU Troika and Latin American officials on Saturday, will be the bi-regional association”, Couturier said.

Couturier added that there is a wrong perception with regard to this subject.

“So far, the Andean Community of Nations and the European Commission have met three times, all with successful results. The fact is we are going too slow”, he stated.

Couturier also ruled out any intention to take Bolivia out of a possible agreement with the European Union.


News Source: Andina

(LIP-do) -- Peruvian president Alan García Perez welcomes the Heads of State and Government attending the opening plenary session of the V European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit being held at the National Museum in Lima.

The Peruvian leader, who is wearing a gold medallion, exchange greetings with the heads of state from both continents participating in the summit. The opening ceremony was held at 09:00 (14:00 GMT) at the Conference Hall of Lima’s National Museum.

An hour before the opening session, at 08:00 am this morning, the Heads of State and Government will be greeted by the President of the Republic of Peru, Alan García Pérez, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Janez Janša. At 10:10 am, president García will participate in the group photograph of the Heads of State and Government attending the Fifth EU-LAC Summit. Afterwards, at 10:30, Peru’s García will take part in the first part of the working meetings of EU-LAC Heads of State and Government on the theme of “Poverty, inequality, inclusion”.

García’s busy agenda includes a bilateral meeting with Finland's Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen at the National Museum at 11:00 am.

President García is also scheduled to meet with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom at 11:20 and with Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer at 11:40 am.

During the plenary sessions, the heads of state and government will sign the Lima Declaration that will focus on tackling the fight against poverty, climate change, energy issues, among other topics that may be included in the agenda.


News Source: Andina