Jakarta, 5 September 2023 (TDI): On September 4, 2023, Peruvian Foreign Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi presented the official note containing Peru’s request to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc as a Development Partner to the ASEAN’s Secretary General Kao Him Hourn in Indonesia.
During his meeting with the high-ranking Asian official, Peruvian Minister Gervasi emphasized Peru’s desire to strengthen its relations with ASEAN and highlighted the agreement of shared values, including development, cooperation, and peace.
Additionally, she discussed the opportunity to explore a shared agenda between the ASEAN bloc and Peru’s upcoming presidency roles in the Pacific Alliance and the APEC Forum in 2024.
Meetings with Foreign Ministers
Within the framework of her official visit to Jakarta, Minister Gervasi engaged in discussions with her counterparts from other nations participating in the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia. The purpose of these discussions was to strengthen Peru’s ties with the ASEAN bloc.
Minister Gervasi during her meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir reiterated Peru’s commitment to enhance bilateral relations between the two states through measures such as the Political Consultation Mechanism in 2024 and the Cooperation Forum linking East Asia and Latin America as a platform for cooperation.
Similarly, during her meeting with Sok Chenda Sophea, who is Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, both Ministers formally endorsed a Memorandum aimed at initiating bilateral consultations.
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This agreement serves the goal of enhancing the relations between the two states.
These initiatives will assist both states in enhancing bilateral ties in several fields such as economics, culture, research, education, and many more.
Furthermore, during her discussion with Vivian Balakrishnan, Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian emphasized the significance of the Free Trade Agreement, which has been in effect since 2009.
She highlighted Peru’s commitment to strengthening political, environmental, and multilateral ties with Singapore. In response, Minister Vivian expressed Singapore’s approval of Peru’s addition to ASEAN as a “Development Partner.”
Minister Gervasi and her Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi discussed the opportunities to strengthen bilateral, regional, and multilateral agenda.
Additionally, Minister Marsudi also expressed Indonesia’s approval of Peru’s addition to ASEAN as a Development Partner.
Furthermore, both ministers discussed the initiation of the first round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Trade Agreement (CEPA) between Peru and Indonesia.
They also discussed boosting ties between the Pacific Alliance and ASEAN, as well as common interests in the United Nations’ global agenda.
Minister Gervasi also engaged in discussion with her Philippine counterpart, Enrique A. Manalo.
Both reiterated the countries’ positive diplomatic relations which will complete 50 years in 2024.
In addition, Gervasi stated Peru’s desire to learn renewable energy, sustainable development, and technology from the Asian bloc.
She also informed Peru’s priorities in the upcoming Presidency role in the Pacific Alliance and APEC 2024.
Similarly, Minister Gervasi and Brunei Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof engaged in a discussion and Gervasi expressed Peru’s interest in further enhancing their bilateral ties, particularly trade relations.
In this context, both discussed the utilization of the Comprehensive and Progressive Treaty of Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) framework and investment opportunities in Peru.
Additionally, they agreed to the establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism between the two nations.
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Meeting with Singaporean Commerce Minister
Minister Gervasi held a meeting with the Singaporean Commerce and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. The former informed Peru’s desire for a Free Trade Agreement among the ASEAN bloc in the upcoming Pacific Alliance and APEC 2024.
Furthermore, Gervasi noted that such an agreement shall enhance trade and investment opportunities among the interested states.
