Peruvian President Ollanta Humala Tasso opened the third Summit of Heads of State and Government of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) at the Grand National Theater in Lima on Tuesday.
ASPA is a bi-regional association that aims to promote political, economic, cultural and cooperation ties between South America and the Arab world.
The first two meetings were held in Brasilia and Doha in May 2005 and March 2009 respectively.
With the participation of 34 countries -12 South American and 22 Arab, (excluding Syria, Paraguay and Somalia)- the Summit is held with the coordination and support of the Arab League and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
Paraguay and Syria are not attending the two-day gathering after being suspended from their respective blocs, while Somalia did not send a delegation.
The summit will culminate in the adoption of the Declaration of Lima, which contains 70 points including aspects of policy, economic and financial coordination, as well as cooperation in education, culture and environment.
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