Peru and Chile must "collaborate and be friends" as countries of this side of the world, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski affirmed during the opening of the Peru-Chile Binational Cabinet taking place at Lima's Government Palace.
Joined by Chilean counterpart
Michelle Bachelet and both countries' ministerial teams, the Head of State emphasized the "historic value" of the meeting: the first in close to 200 years of life as a Republic.
"We are coming closer together through the
governments and ministers; and we are acknowledging that we must collaborate and be friends in this corner of the world," the Peruvian leader said.
The statesman underlined this rapprochement is not only about economic issues, but also the understanding between two democratic, pluralistic nations that have gone through —and managed to overcome— "very difficult moments" in past times.
On the other hand, President Kuczynski referred to the
Pacific Alliance, trade integration initiative uniting both countries, as well as Colombia and Mexico.
In this sense, he highlighted that —together— the four members are a very important, 250-million-strong force.
"Hence the current global relevance of this
Pacific Alliance, the southern part of which is comprised of Chile and Peru. We are a voice of tranquility, progress and democracy in a fairly convulsed world and in the also troubled Americas," he observed.
Having welcomed and thanked participating delegations, Mr. Kuczynski noted the meeting's agenda had been previously discussed with President Bachelet in prior dialogues.
(END) MVF/DHT/MVB
Published: 7/7/2017