00:42 | Paracas (Ica region), Jul. 04.
Peru’s President Ollanta Humala affirmed the Pacific Alliance is a “true deep integration process” and committed to working with the aim of strengthening the bloc.
Remarks were made after the 10th Summit of the Pacific Alliance officially concluded on Friday afternoon. The gathering reunited government officials and entrepreneurs from its member countries: Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru.
The Peruvian Head of State, who assumed the Pro-Tempore Presidency, said he expects other member nations' teams to collaborate with the organization, in order "show the Pacific Alliance is not only an advanced and improved free trade agreement, but a real and improved deep integration process."
In a joint statement released after the summit's closing ceremony, he indicated this integration implies cooperation, education, adopting preventive measures to face climate change and El Niño phenomenon. Likewise, it includes boosting micro and small-sized enterprises.
The Alliance is one opportunity for the young people, who expect concrete measures to improve their quality of life, he pointed out.
In this sense, Peru holding the Pro-Tempore Presidency will lead to boosting education by expanding the quality of scholarships it grants to students. Likewise, it will encourage establishing a permanent communication channel among Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Tourism, Finance and Economy via videoconference.
Mr. Humala also pointed out the need for the bloc countries to work jointly, in order to reduce informal economy and, therefore, contribute to the growth of the member nations.
At times Latin America does not lower its poverty rate, according to Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) data, the member countries lead economic growth and poverty reduction charts, the President highlighted.
In this sense, one of the challenges the entire Pacific Alliance faces is the need to "become an opportunity" for its member States.
Presidential support
Peru's top official emphasized the Pacific Alliance would have not advanced, without the support of its presidential leaders, which was provided due to the good relations existing among them and their corresponding working groups.
"Each country contributes with valuable experiences. Mexico with value-chains; Chile with education reform and development of small and medium-sized enterprises; Colombia with financial inclusion and Internet connectivity; and Peru with social policies, education reform and productive diversification," Mr. Humala pointed out.
"We consider Latin America, and particularly the Pacific Alliance, [...] should not only remain as raw material exporter, but should also count on an industrial strength and diversify their exported products," the Head of State stated.
At the end of the 10th Summit, the Peruvian leader addressed this press briefing joined by Presidents of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto; Chile, Michelle Bachelet; and Colombia's Chancellor, Maria Angela Holguin.
Proposal on climate change towards Paris
The four countries have agreed to work on common proposal for the world conference on climate change COP21, to be held in Paris this year.
(END) MDV/FHG/MVB
Published: 7/4/2015