"The idea is that this agreement can be approved by the European Commission before it is signed by all 27 member countries of the European Union, which will ensure us that the trade pillar comes into effect spreading its benefits immediately", Silva said.

Minister Silva stressed that the agreement must be approved by the Congress of the Republic of Peru and Colombia and the parliaments of 27 European countries as it not only focused on trade issues.

In the last five yeras, Peruvian exports to EU grew 110 percent and 40 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year.

In this sense, the minister stressed that the entry into force of the FTA ensures Peruvian entrepreneurs access to important European trading partners, who are characterized by high income and high levels of consumption of imported products.

He recalled that Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) will invite European ambassadors to Peru to visit several cities of the country in order to promote the benefits of the agreement.

Minister Silva opened this morning the seminar “How to export to European Union: Promo EU,” organized by Peru's export and tourism promotion agency (Promperu).

Also attended the event Peru's Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Carlos Posada, and the head of the delegation of the EU to Peru, Hans Allden.

(END) LVT/JPC/MOC/LVT