​https://www.expreso.com.pe/opinion/peru-un-socio-confiable-para-la-union-europea/

Peru, a reliable partner for the European Union

The celebration of the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU), which took place in Brussels on 17 and 18 July, is a milestone in the relationship between the two regional blocs, as it signifies the return to dialogue at the highest level after eight years, and our country had an important role in its realization.

Since the first Summit in 2013, Peru has actively participated in these bi-regional meetings, in which it has managed to strengthen its ties with the European Union and its Member States, and to promote greater collaboration in different areas that have a direct impact on citizens. At this third Summit, Peru proposed abandoning the so-called "declaratory diplomacy" and agreeing on concrete actions to address the interests of both regions, in an equitable manner and in accordance with national and regional priorities, including the comprehensive management of the migration phenomenon.

Peru promoted substantive contributions in the Declaration adopted at the Summit, linked to national interests, such as the reaffirmation of the rule of law and democracy, the fight against corruption and illicit drug trafficking; climate change and disaster risk management, and other issues of global relevance in which Peru has a key role to play.

Furthermore, during this meeting, Peru recalled that it is the country in our region that has one of the most institutionalised relations with the European Union, having established, with this bloc, a mechanism for political consultations, a trade agreement that is 10 years old, a short-stay visa waiver agreement, a Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 and an agreement to participate in crisis management operations, among others.

Similarly, Peru reaffirmed to the European counterpart that it is a reliable partner, having a stable economy that has made our currency, growth rate and inflation level among the most resilient in the region, and that we are an attractive destination for foreign investment. It is important to note that eight Peruvian investment projects (in the energy, climate change, transport and health sectors) are part of the regional package of initiatives that would be financed by the European Global Gateway scheme, which plans to invest 45 billion euros in the region until 2027.

Similarly, Peru signed the Joint Declaration on the European Union - Latin America and the Caribbean Digital Alliance, which establishes a cooperation framework for the digital transition between the two continents.

This III CELAC-EU Summit represented a great opportunity to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations between Peru and the countries of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. Thus, in the margins of this meeting, I was able to hold fruitful bilateral meetings with various leaders, such as the Prime Minister of Haiti and the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Chile, Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic and CARICOM countries. I also participated on behalf of Peru in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group of the Brasilia Consensus on South American integration, where I reaffirmed that integration must produce tangible results for the population.

In these meetings, Peru has highlighted its commitment to democratic values and principles and human rights, and has received the reaffirmation of the international community's support for the government of President Dina Boluarte and the democratic institutions of Peru. This confirms that Peru has the confidence of our bi-regional partners and that Peru is back, in this new stage, with a positive and proactive policy, which will also be reflected in our next Pro Tempore Presidency of the Pacific Alliance and the APEC Presidency that we will hold in 2024, among others.

By Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ana Cecilia Gervasi

Ginebra, 2 de agosto de 2023​