Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez

Peruvian Ambassador Marcela Lopez Bravo contributed the following article on the occasion of Peru's Independence Day that falls today. ― ED.

On the occasion of the 187th anniversary of the Independence of Peru, I consider this as an excellent opportunity to present its potential and what Peru can offer to Korea and to highlight aspects that will help Peru turn into an important ally of Korea in Latin America.

There are many areas open for the strengthening of the relationship between the Peruvian and Korean people and governments in the areas of democratic values, respect for human rights, peaceful settlement of disputes and proliferation of non-nuclear weapons.

Last year the dynamics of the political and the economic relationship between the two countries had an adequate correlation in the increase of important investments from
Korean companies to Peru in sectors like energy, mining, trade and finances.

Likewise, we witnessed cooperation in the area of technological transfer, information technology applied to the public administration and education, and that had left a great impact on our economic and social development.

Peru offers a market with juridical stability for investors with enormous potential of natural resources, a steady economic growth in the last nine years and a strong presence in the international trade.

The relationship between Peru and Korea is also supported also by the common membership to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and my country will be the venue for the APEC's 16th Economic Leaders' Meeting next November in Lima, the capital.

The relationship has even been elevated with the interest that the Korean government has shown for the Latin American region, as it makes important links with the regional organizations.

I acknowledge the great opportunity given by The Korea Times and would like to express my gratitude for the hospitality and affection shown by the Korean authorities and people who facilitate me to continue to work toward a fraternal friendship between Peru and Korea.

It is my sincerely hope to achieve all the objectives and interests which both governments and people are looking forward to obtaining, specially for the important occasion that both countries will have with the official visit of President Lee Myung-bak to my country next November, before the APEC Leaders' Summit in Lima.