Peru foreign minister calls for FTA
Japan Times
Peru foreign minister calls for FTA
22 November 2008
LIMA (Kyodo) Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde called on Japan to start negotiations on a bilateral free-trade agreement when he met Thursday with his visiting Tokyo counterpart, Hirofumi Nakasone, officials said.
Nakasone indicated he will consider the request positively, the officials said. The bilateral talks were held shortly after a two-day meeting of foreign and trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum through Thursday.
Garcia Belaunde expressed hope that a bilateral investment pact, which the leaders of the two nations are expected to sign soon, will boost investment from Japan, they said.
Nakasone hailed the talks at the APEC ministerial meeting, which Garcia Belaunde chaired, saying the Pacific Rim ministers had a good discussion about the global financial crisis.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and Peruvian President Alan Garcia are expected to sign a bilateral investment pact when they meet Friday in Lima.
Aso is among the 21 Pacific Rim leaders to attend the two-day summit from Saturday.
