FOREIGN SECRETARY PATRICIA ESPINOSA IN PERU

Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa traveled to Peru today at the invitation of Peruvian Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo Orbegoso.

During the visit, the two officials discussed several bilateral issues and assessed the relationship between the two countries, the economic and trade situation and security cooperation, as well as regional and multilateral issues such as the Pacific Alliance, the Mexican presidency of the G20 and the Inter-American human rights system.

A specific meeting was held on the Group of Twenty (G20), which, in addition to the Peruvian Foreign Minister, was attended by the Ministers of Economy and Finance, Luis Castilla; Foreign Trade and Tourism, José Luis Silva; and Agriculture, Luis Ginocchio; and Central Bank President Julio Velarde.

Foreign Secretary Espinosa discussed the process leading up to the G20 Summit to be held on June 18 and 19 in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. During the meeting, Ambassador Espinosa stressed the priorities set by Mexico as this year’s chair, and emphasized the transparent and inclusive nature of the process, which has included an intensive dialogue with various actors such as NGOs, trade unions, youth groups and countries outside the G20. At this meeting, there was a rich exchange of views.

Regarding the bilateral situation, the two officials agreed that the Trade Integration Agreement between Mexico and Peru is working well, saying it is a cutting-edge agreement that has had a positive impact on bilateral trade.

In particular, Foreign Secretary Espinosa stressed that Peru ranks high in Mexico’s strategy of international economic diversification, and Mexico’s interest in continuing to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Over the last ten years, trade between Mexico and Peru has increased by almost 500%, from US$335 million in 2001 to US$1.869 billion in 2011. Peru is also the second most important destination for Mexican investments, which total US$12.65 billion.

The bilateral discussion has made it possible to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

In addition, Foreign Secretary Espinosa told Foreign Minister Roncagliolo that Mexico will attend the International Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Specialized National Agencies against the World Drug Problem that will be held in Lima on June 26-27.