The embassy of Peru recently hosted a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Peru and Qatar. Led by Peru’s ambassador to Qatar, Jose Benzaquen Perea, the event was attended by a number of Qatari dignitaries, diplomats from different countries and other guests.
The Peruvian envoy, in his address, welcomed Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA); Essa al-Mannai, director of the American Affairs Department, MoFA; Jamal al-Bader, former Qatari ambassador to Peru; as well as the ambassadors and other officials and guests present on the occasion.
“Since November 7, 1989, bilateral and multilateral relations (between the two countries) have been developing positively,” the envoy said, highlighting the exchange of high-level visits that “had become significant signs in our ties and the deep political trust between our countries”.
“Allow me to remember in this celebration, the official visit to Peru of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in February 2013, and the visit of the President of Peru to Qatar in 2014,” he recalled.
“In October last year, we had the privilege to receive, in my country, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. President Martin Vizcarra discussed with His Highness the Amir the main regional and international issues of common interest and a number of mutual agreements were signed (on the occasion).”
“Qatar and Peru fully agree on common goals, such as the prosperity and happiness of their people, promoting a close link between external action and development priorities. We are both countries based on the rule of law, with diplomatic policies for renewed co-operation, political dialogue and promotion of trade and investments, as well as the defence of human rights, the fight against poverty and terrorism, environmental conservation, and education and health for all,” he continued.
Peru is one of the most important countries in Latin America, the envoy stressed.
Its diverse characteristics include a variety of climates, history, a vast territorial expanse, significant natural resources, people with great skills and a solid economic and industrial background. “Today, Peru is considered one of the world’s leading emerging markets, with a solid recent history of economic stability based on a continuous average annual growth over the past 20 years of 4.6% (GDP),” he added.
The ambassador also highlighted bilateral trade with Qatar.
“We co-ordinated the work of a commercial delegation that came to Doha last July. For this year, we hope to export goods to Qatar worth QR17mn, mostly in agricultural and pharmaceutical products, and to import (goods) around QR15mn from Qatar, including petrochemicals and construction materials, among others.”
“We are working on an inclusive investment pact that will be likely signed within next year. It will encourage investments between both countries. We also expect that Peru and Qatar will sign an air services agreement in the first quarter of next year,” the Peruvian ambassador noted.
“Likewise, Peru is promoting its relation with Qatar in the education, culture and sports fields,” he said.
“In this regard, I had a meeting with HE the Minister of Culture and Sports in Qatar and other authorities.”
He then highlighted the visits of a Peruvian congressman to the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Doha last April.
Peru was also a part of the World Innovation Summit for Education through the participation of the former Education Minister, Dr Jaime Saavedra Chanduvi.
He expressed gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, “who has been guiding this effort through her leadership of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development”.
“On this occasion, I would express our gratitude to the Government of Qatar for hosting the Peruvian athletes in the recent world championships for athletics and beach games.
In football, it is a pleasure to say that Qatar will host an unforgettable edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, it will be a friendly meeting between all the peoples of the whole world ... and the Peru team will be here in Doha,” the envoy added.
Dignitaries cutting the ceremonial cake to mark the occasion.
