SANTIAGO/LIMA – Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and her Peruvian counterpart Pedro Pablo Kuczynski signed the Declaration of Lima to round off the countries’ First Binational Cabinet held on Friday.
The major fields included social affairs and cultural issues; security and defense; foreign trade, investments, tourism, science and technology; environment, energy and mining issues; and border integration.
By adopting this Declaration, the Governments of Peru and Chile have reiterated their commitment to the values and principles of international law, particularly those related to the defense of the rule of law, as well as respect to democracy and human rights.
The two countries have also reiterated their condemnation of corruption, as well as its effects on governance and the democratic institutional character;
Both the leaders highlighted the commitments undertaken in the Joint Declaration signed in Santiago de Chile on November 29, 2016.
They agreed that the Binational Cabinet, presided over by both leaders, constitutes the main political and diplomatic dialogue level between the two countries.
Moreover, they expressed their satisfaction with the commitments assumed in the different work axes, which will help consolidate a comprehensive bilateral agenda and move on to a new stage in the bilateral relation.
The presidents stressed the value of strengthening binational parliament-level dialogue, and decided to promote dialogue and cooperation between Peru’s southern regions and Chile’s northern ones as part of their commitment to develop border areas;.
They also expressed their will to strengthen culture as a means for integration, and confirmed their firm commitment to sustainable and equitable development that properly incorporates the environmental dimension, prioritizing the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Also, on the occasion, the mutual cooperation provided in response to the emergencies triggered by recent wildfires (Chile) and floods (Peru) was underlined.
Welcoming the progress made in promoting electrical interconnection, they underscored their interest in boosting economic and social development between both countries, as well as trade, investments and tourist flow.
Ms. Bachelet and Mr. Kuczynski reiterated their commitment to the Pacific Alliance and the new stage of the regional integration bloc, and expressed their readiness to actively participate in dialogues on potential alternatives to apply the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP 11).
The two leaders stressed the signing of bilateral agreements on the fight against human trafficking, culture, education, health, conservation of marine-coastal natural areas, justice, productive development, civil defense, sports, tourism, migration, science and technology, among others.
Progress on the commitments of the Declaration will be assessed at the 2nd Peru-Chile Binational Cabinet, set to take place in Chile in 2018.
