President Ollanta Humala was scheduled to arrive in Vladivostok on Friday, and to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, according to state news agency Andina.
Humala and Putin are expected to discuss strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to President Putin, said that Russia is interested in boosting cooperation with Peru on energy, hydrocarbons, mining, and infrastructure projects.
Peruvian Foreign Relations Minister Rafael Roncagliolo said that in addition to trade and investment opportunities, the Russian and Peruvian leaders will also look at strengthening defense ties.
In 2011, bilateral trade between Peru and Russia doubled to $726 million, according to Andina.
Also attending the APEC summit are Peru’s Economy and Finance Minister Luis Miguel Castilla and Foreign Trade Minister Jose Luis Silva.
Peru to host 2016 summit
Meanwhile, the APEC summit will return to Lima in 2016, according to decisions taken this week at the meetings being held in Vladivostok. Peru first hosted the APEC summit in 2008, during President Garcia’s administration.
APEC is made up of 21 Pacific rim countries, which account for 54 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and 44 percent of international trade. In addition to Russia and Peru, other members include the United States, China, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Australia. The summit in 2013 will be held in Indonesia, in China in 2014 and in the Philippines in 2015.
