President of the Congress of Peru: “Chile and Peru cannot show up divorced to APEC”

In his recent address to the Chilean Senate, the President of the Congress of Peru, Javier Velásquez Quesquén, confirmed the will of Peru’s congress to sign a bilateral agreement aimed at building a joint Chile-Peru agenda on various issues.  He noted that it should especially address what he characterized as "the Asia-Pacific challenge."

A focus on Asia and the upcoming APEC in Peru

Velásquez Quesquén was emphatic in stressing that Chile and Peru should "together search for a way to conquer new markets" such as those in the Asia-Pacific region.  This, he said, should be carried without harming local businesses. He stressed that both countries share a strategic and privileged position, which should be considered when signing bilateral accords.

Regarding the upcoming Lima APEC forum,  Quesquén Velasquez said that "Peru and Chile cannot show up divorced at the APEC summit (to be held in Lima in November 2008), because we both share a single agenda as regards trade and joint development."
 
The Chile-Peru protocol

The leader of Peru’s unicameral body also referred to Peru’s willingness to form a permanent, legislative taskforce with his Chilean counterparts.  The ground rules would be laid out in a framework agreement aimed at building a "strong and trustworthy" binational legislative agenda and strengthening ties between the two nations, through “the exchange of experiences, strengths and capabilities.”

President of the Senate, Adolfo Zaldivar, added "it is vital to create a permanent (binational) congressional committee so we don’t end up not finishing what we are starting, as so often occurs." The protocol will be signed in November in Lima by both congressional leaders.

In search of an “intelligent” Peru-Chile relationship

During his speech to the Senate, Velasquez Quesquén stated he wanted “to seal (an agreement which reflects) the brotherhood (which exists between) Chilean and Peruvian parliamentarians, who directly represent our nations.” He also stated his message is one of peace and friendship, adding, “I come to pledge my word (to build) a productive and lasting partnership. I propose to (Senator) Zaldivar that we develop a harmonious, permanent, respectful, fraternal partnership.  Above all else, in the words of President Bachelet, (we should have) an intelligent bilateral relationship.”

The legislator concluded by stating that Chilean and Peruvian politicians “have an obligation to ensure the success of bilateral relations”.  He ended by assuring the Chilean senate that Peru is ready to "discuss a joint legislative agenda of fraternity, goodwill and (mutual) development.”

After the address, Velasquez awarded Senator Adolfo Zaldivar Peru’s Congressional Medal of Honor (with Great Cross), declaring, "May this medal symbolize the strengthening of ties between our two nations."

The president of Peru’s Congress was accompanied by a Peruvian congressional delegation which included Alvaro Gutierrez, Santiago Fujimori, Daniel Abugattas, Aurelio Pastor, Antonio Leon and Carlos Bruce Montes de Oca.  The visit was made at the invitation of Adolfo Zaldivar when he made his August 2008 visit to Peru, accompanied by the Chilean delegation of senators.

Video: Javier Velásquez Quesquén awards Senator Adolfo Zaldívar Peru’s Congressional Medal of Honor