The themes of the VI Italy-Latin America Conference to be held in Rome in December, and in which President of Peru Humala is to participate, and Peru’s participation in the 2015 Milan Expo, were the focus of Under-Secretary Mario Giro’s mission to Peru, where he was received by the Peruvian Congress on the morning of 10 October. After meeting with President of the Congress Fredy Otárola, the Under-Secretary had a working meeting with President of the Foreign Affairs Commission Martín Belaúnde and members of the Peru-Italy Friendship League, during which the solid bonds uniting the two countries were repeatedly underscored, as well as the advisability of expanding existing partnerships and establishing new ones.
Italian community’s contribution
The Peruvians expressed appreciation for the Italian community’s contribution to Peru in terms of culture, economy and values, while Giro praised the enterprising young Peruvian community in Italy and their ability to integrate. “We are deeply honoured to be received by this Congress, which is the heart of the Peruvian democracy. We wish to put a political face on our natural affinity, and this is one of the reasons for my visit here”, Giro asserted. As a demonstration of the sincere friendship shown by the Peruvian Congress to Italy, the Under-Secretary was applauded at length by the entire congressional assembly, which had suspended its session for the occasion.
Policy meetings
The agenda of the VI Italy-Latin America and Caribbean Conference was the focus of Giro’s meeting with his Peruvian counterpart Ambassador Fernando Rojas. Delivering a letter of invitation to President Humala as guest of honour, the Under-Secretary also underscored the importance Italy attributes to the event and Peru’s participation in it. Deputy Minister Rojas hosted a working luncheon at the foreign ministry where four other Deputy Ministers were present. In addition to commenting on the excellent status of bilateral relations and analysing their further development, the participants discussed prospects for Latin America’s integration, with particular attention to the Pacific Alliance.
EXPO 2015
Giro also noted Peru’s rapid decision to participate in the 2015 Milan EXPO, hoping that the contract would soon be signed. In a meeting with Culture Minister Diana Calderón, possible forms of cultural collaboration between Peru and Italy were examined. The Peruvian minister expressed a strong interest in Italy’s expertise in combating illegal trafficking in stolen treasures, a serious problem her country is facing today, and in expanding cooperation in the spheres of restoration and archaeology.
Giro concluded his series of meetings with Minister for Production Gladys Triveño, who underscored Peru’s interest in the Italian SME model and industrial clusters as a more balanced form of industrialisation. The Under-Secretary voiced Italy’s willingness to explore new forms of collaboration in the transfer of know-how and technologies.
Opportunities for Italian businesses
“Peru is one of South America’s key economies, with an average growth rate of 6% and a nearly 0 deficit. It is a country that is showing great interest in our medium sized enterprises and our experience in the protection and enhancement of artistic, historic and cultural patrimony. Our bilateral cultural and economic ties”, said Giro, “are constantly being reinforced, spurred by the dynamism of the Peruvian community in our country. The Italian language courses of the Italian Cultural Institute of Lima are well-attended and the Italian school there is considered one of the best in the nation”, Giro added, announcing the upcoming visits to Lima by members of the Italian government.
