RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, met this Tuesday (2) with the high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, and called on European investors to develop “the enormous potential” of his country.
“We have the firm will not only to deepen our ties with the European Union but also to summon European investments for the development of Peru’s immense potentialities,” Castillo remarked.
Read also: Check out our coverage on Peru
During the meeting held at the Government Palace in Lima, the President highlighted “the solid relationship” between his country and the EU and said that his government is working to generate adequate conditions to allow the development of investments, with clear rules and legal security.
In this regard, he said that projects must be developed “in a sustainable manner, acting with responsibility and balance, with transparency, with due care for the environment and respecting the culture and principles of the surrounding communities.”
Castillo also thanked the EU for its support in the fight against Covid-19 in Peru by facilitating the delivery of vaccines from its member countries and the collaboration, for 14 million Euros, in favor of the Peruvian Ministry of Health.
On the other hand, he assured that his country is moving forward with the process of economic reactivation and that the EU electoral observation mission for this year’s elections “carried out an impeccable job, confirming free and transparent elections, which reflected the will of the people.”
“I assumed the Presidency of the Republic in a difficult context, but with the deep conviction to promote social change, with equality and inclusion. As a teacher and rural farmer, the commitment I have is to govern hand in hand with the people, and I will do so until the last day of my administration,” he said.
Castillo also told Borrell that his visit allows “ample room to develop and increase this very positive level of the relationship with the European Union.” “Rest assured that in Peru, you will find a reliable partner committed to the values that unite us,” he said at the end of the meeting, which was also attended by the Peruvian Foreign Minister, Oscar Maúrtua, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Roberto Sánchez.
Later, Castillo and Borrell held a meeting with the Peruvian departments of La Libertad, San Martín, Ayacucho and Cajamarca, where European Union cooperation is present.
Borrell thus culminated a two-day visit to Peru, with which he opened his first tour of Latin America since taking office in 2019, and which will continue in Brazil on Wednesday.
In addition to Castillo, the head of European diplomacy met in Lima with the President of Congress, María del Carmen Alva, with Foreign Minister Maúrtua and other senior officials, and visited an EU project to promote gender equality and facilitate the insertion of women in the labor market.
During his meeting with Maúrtua, he assured that he wants to “demonstrate and enhance the EU’s importance to relations with Peru” since the Andean country “is a key partner” for the European organization.