Lima, 02 February 2021 – Representatives of the governments of the United Kingdom and Peru met virtually today for the III Meeting of the Political Consultations Mechanism. The two countries celebrated their diverse bilateral relationship that goes back to Peru’s independence. The UK indicated that it will collaborate with the bicentennial celebrations, including the development of a National Botanical Garden in Peru and pre-Columbian Peru exhibition at the British Museum in London.
During the dialogue, both sides welcomed the recent entry into force of the UK – Colombia, Ecuador and Peru Trade Agreement, and the progress in the process of Reconstruction of Peru’s Northern Regions under the Government-to-Government Agreement framework. They agreed to strengthen their cooperation in science and health, and highlighted the importance of joint cooperation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both countries said they will continue to promote long-term trade and investment, and Peru welcomed the United Kingdom’s interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In addition, they agreed to advance negotiations on a double taxation convention. Peru reiterated its interest in achieving a short-stay visa waiver for Peruvian citizens travelling to the UK.
Hugo Shorter, Director for the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said:
The Peru-UK Political Consultations Mechanism Meeting – the second I have led from the UK side – is a chance to take stock of the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries and identify opportunities for further cooperation.
Today we discussed everything from the UK’s ground-breaking government-to-government agreement to help solve Peru’s infrastructure needs, to joint research into Peru’s unique biodiversity, to tackling the greatest global challenges in climate change and COVID-19
Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing the positive momentum to address climate change challenges ahead of COP26, highlighting their increasing commitments during the Climate Ambition Summit 2020. Fiona Clouder, COP26 Regional Ambassador for Latin America, said:
I am delighted to have attended the III UK Peru political consultations, the discussion around climate was very fruitful and I am sure we will keep the momentum to strengthen our cooperation and move towards a low carbon and resilient future together”.
The UK emphasised its continued commitment to Peru in the fight against organised crime and other threats to stability, including corruption.
In turn, both delegations discussed the current regional situation and particularly highlighted the efforts of the Lima Group and the International Contact Group in the search for a peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution to the political and multidimensional crisis in Venezuela.
Finally, the delegations welcomed the recent announcement by the COVAX Facility that a first batch of COVID-19 vaccines will be delivered to Peru in the near future.
