Andean Region, Politics

Peru, Bolivia gov’t officials meet ahead of presidential talks

Peru’s Foreign Relations Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde and Defense Minister Jaime Thorne met on Monday with their Bolivian counterparts ahead of a meeting between the presidents of the two Andean countries, state news agency Andina reported.

During the meeting between the Peruvian and Bolivian ministers, the governments agreed to work towards a common agenda on security, Garcia Belaunde said.

“It is the start of dialogue on military cooperation on topics related to security, peace and confidence between the countries,” he said. The meeting between the foreign relations and defense ministers was also a first between the two countries. “That marks a change that could be called historic,” Garcia Belaunde added.

The government officials also discussed shared challenges, such as drug trafficking. Peru and Bolivia are the world’s second and third biggest cocaine producers, respectively, behind Colombia.

Meanwhile, Peru’s defense minister offered Bolivia the opportunity to send military personnel to Peru to take part in training.

On Tuesday, Peru President Alan Garcia will meet with President Evo Morales of Bolivia. The meeting is planned in the town of Ilo, located in Peru’s Moquegua region.

Peru-Bolivia relations have been stained by numerous diplomatic spats over the past few years. The meetings this week are aimed at re-launching relations in order to improve ties, Garcia Belaunde said.

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