Peru
Seeks Better Ties With Chile Despite
Maritime Dispute
LIMA - Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose
Antonio Garcia Belaunde has said the impasse
over maritime delimitation with Chile should
not freeze bilateral ties, local press
reported Friday.
Garcia Belaunde said one of his aims is to
restore ties with Chile, despite the
"non-negotiable" issue of maritime territory
between both countries.
Since 2006, Peru and Chile have been
wrangling at the international court over
the sovereignty of an maritime area of
approximately 37,900 square km.
Garcia Belaunde said that it might take many
years before the international court gives a
final sentence on this issue, but this
should not impede the exchanges with Chile
in other areas such as trade and human
resources.
There are many common interests between Peru
and Chile, said the foreign minister, who
added that he believed the new Chilean
president to be elected on Jan. 17 would
continue to improve bilateral cooperation
and good-neighborly relationship.
Garcia Belaunde said the commercial ties
between the two countries have been very
fluid and Peruvian investors have invested
extensively in Chile, which has "created a
dynamic" on bilateral ties, investment and
trade.
The minister also said there is a
significant flow of Chilean citizens every
day coming to Peru to get medical assistance
or to enjoy Peruvian cuisine.
He praised the great efforts the government
of Chilean President Michele Bachelet has
made to protect the Peruvian citizens living
in Chile and give them legal status.
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