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Skriven 2006-10-10 23:31:08 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0610102) for Tue, 2006 Oct 10
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Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
Peru
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 10, 2006

Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
Peru



Presidents George W. Bush and Alan Garcia underscored the strong
relationship between the United States and Peru, and reaffirmed their
commitment to strengthening democracy and expanding free trade in the
region as a means of improving the well-being of all citizens by securing
freedom and delivering the greatest possible economic benefits to the
largest number of people. They pledged to continue working together toward
these and other shared objectives.

The two leaders agreed that democracies must strive to improve basic
services for all citizens, and emphasized the importance of expanding
health and education as a means of empowering citizens with the tools to
fully participate in society, providing opportunities for economic growth
and social development. They further concurred that democracy and
democratic governance are the right and responsibility of all, and that an
educated, engaged citizenry is the foundation for strong democratic
institutions. They also agreed that all citizens should have the ability to
participate fully and fairly in a modern economy, under the protection of
the rule of law.

Both stressed the central role of initiatives such as the mutually
beneficial U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) in strengthening
bilateral ties while leveling the trade playing field, spurring job
creation, and reducing poverty and inequality. In this regard, President
Bush reaffirmed his commitment to securing congressional approval of the
PTPA as quickly as possible. Both Presidents noted that domestic
capacity-building programs, such as President Bush's Center for Education
Excellence in Teacher Training and the Poverty Reduction and Alleviation
Program initiatives, and President Garcia's Sierra Exportadora and
"Internal FTA" programs, ensure that the opportunities derived from free
and open markets accrue to the broadest number of Peruvians.

Presidents Bush and Garcia reaffirmed their strong commitment to protect
their people and the hemisphere from the depredations of transnational
terrorist and criminal organizations, pledging to promote speedy
extradition of drug cartels' members. Among the many ways our countries
work together to combat the scourge of narcotrafficking, based on the
principle of shared responsibility, are Peru's comprehensive efforts
against drug trafficking and illegal coca cultivation and U.S. programs
that provide infrastructure and training to develop a police presence east
of the Andes and alternative development to people in former coca growing
areas, giving them hope for a sustainable, legal livelihood to provide for
their families.

The Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral
relationship and to promoting prosperity and social justice for all people
of the Americas.

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