3 August 2023

At the celebration of Peru’s 202nd Anniversary of Independence, Ambassador Jorge Félix Rubio Correa said that Peru is strengthening its position in Africa. There are Peruvian companies who have interests in many African countries, he said. The Embassy in Pretoria has been hard at work increasing Peru’s footprint in Angola and Namibia with Zimbabwe on the cards. Diplomatic relations have recently also been established with Gabon.

Peru and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993 and officially inaugurated Peru’s embassy in Pretoria on 7 March 1994. This year marks the milestone 30th anniversary between the two countries who have been advancing their bilateral relations over the years.

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Rubio Correa said that an announcement will be made soon regarding the visit of Peru’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs to inaugurate the Peru-South Africa Political Consultation Mechanism which has been postponed several times. The Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Political Consultations will allow Peru and South Africa to sign new agreements which will advance cooperation in various sectors including the Antarctic, culture, mining, and environment, among others.

Peru and South Africa although geographically distant with different histories and cultures, have elements that unite them.

In the early 1990s, Peru opened its borders to foreign investment, free trade, and established a social market economy. Peru will, for the 3rd time, host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – APEC summit in Cusco in 2024. Free trade agreements are currently signed with 58 countries. The Pacific Alliance, has followed a path of pragmatism and economic development and is made up of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Singapore is currently an associate country and the same is being negotiated for New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Peru is a member country of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP 11, and welcomes Great Britain as the 12th member. Peru continues the process of joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - OECD, in order to strengthen its democratic institutions and consolidate its economic growth with greater social equity.

With the current geopolitical turmoil in the world Ambassador Rubio Correa said that Peru adheres to the norms of international law, and that countries should resolve their disputes by peaceful means.

TDS