Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said the 10th Presidential Summit of the Pacific Alliance has helped confirmed the economic regional bloc comprising Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Peru is one of the most powerful blocs in the world.
“I leave with great satisfaction that we have been able to confirm that the Pacific Alliance is probably one of the most powerful and dynamic tools in the region and around the world,” she said during the signing of the Paracas Declaration held at the end of its 10th Summit.
In a few years, she recalled, progress has been made in substantial and key areas such as economic and trade development. The Alliance has also moved forward towards financial integration and the purpose of further supporting small and medium-sized companies with funds that reward their entrepreneurial spirit.
Significant progress has been made in education and innovation as well, and this was observed during a meeting gathering Colombia, Mexico and Chile young scholars, who currently perfect their knowledge in Peruvian universities.
According to the Chilean leader, tourism has seen a remarkable growth thanks to the exemption of visas, which has resulted in the mobility of businessmen and tourists. Further progress is expected to be made on many other plans.
One of these plans includes the creation of a Council of Finance Ministers, which will join the integration process of the Pacific Alliance, a topic that has been included in the Paracas Declaration.
She said the bloc is expected to approach other regions as she recalled the progress made with Mercosur –concerning joint actions– and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
"This way we will be able to showcase the bloc not only among us, but to third countries and regions of substantial economic and political importance," she added.
The Chilean Head of State said the Peruvian government has been given many tasks as holder of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Pacific Alliance, but she stressed that the four member countries and their teams will provide their support, so that the administration can succeed.
“We’ll be waiting for your next year,” she concluded when she mentioned her country will assume the chairmanship of the said economic bloc in 2016.
Bachelet thanked her Peruvian counterpart, Ollanta Humala, for the hospitality shown during her visit to Paracas, which helped, she said, work in such a nice way.
(END) VVS/FHG/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/3/2015