MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peru and Spain sign “strategic association” accord

King Juan Carlos and Pte. Alan Garcia

Peru and Spain signed this week a “strategic association” agreement during a ceremony headed by King Juan Carlos and Peruvian president Alan Garcia at Government Palace in Lima, the highlight of the royal couple's visit to Peru.

The agreement which helps boost the already intense relations between the two countries was subscribed by Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Garcia Belaunde and his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Morantinos. "This will enable us to guide future relations between Lima and Madrid and will become the protective axis for cooperation" said Minister Moratinos. "A qualitative leap in bilateral relations", added Garcia Belaunde Peru thus became the sixth Latinamerican country, together with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico, which now has the category of "strategic partner" in a region where Spanish investments have acquired a significant presence in different strategic sectors for over a decade. Previously in a private ceremony the Spanish King bestowed on the Peruvian president the Isabel La Catolica collar and Queen Sofia to Mrs. Garcia, the Great Cross of Isabel La Catolica. In the Peruvian Congress King Juan Carlos was honoured with the Medal of Honour in the Great Cross Grade. The King received strong support and applauses when in his speech he said "Spain strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks which cost the lives in Peru of defenceless civilians and military personnel in the line of duty".