This year there will be no celebrations due to the current unexpected crucial circumstances that our nation as well as the rest of the world is confronting. However, we as strong, patriotic Peruvian nation will show our appreciation and will recognise this special and memorable day during which our freedom and voice was heard and our national flag was raised high up.
In a world undergoing constant changes, we found ourselves closing our borders and depriving ourselves from displacements. Today, we are in the phase of being outside of our comfort zone, facing a common enemy, a drastic health crisis with a major global impact that we must exceed with strength.
These harsh circumstances made us lean towards solidarity, unity, and co-operation between other nations, where Qatar has been generously active in this matter, working hardly to help various nations around the world who are still suffering from Covid-19. Qatar Charity has recently made a significant donation to combat the epidemic in Peru.
In order to strengthen our bilateral relationship, both our President Martin Vizcarra Cornejo and the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, have successfully established contact during his last official visit to Lima, Peru, in October 2018.
Both nations are reinforcing multilateral relations, which allows the two nations to maintain peace and unite for common objectives and interests, as well as to promote a positive image of our countries in all different aspects related to health, education, cultural openness, and trade, the promotion of sport and tourism, and the scientific and technological innovation.
The Peru-Qatar bilateral relationship incorporates the role of diplomacy and its promotion of democracy and its commitment to human rights; raising integration; and the fight against corruption; in expanding the presence in the main international organisations; in supporting trade and investment promotion; strengthening cultural projection in the international arena; protection of expatriates; contribution to the unity of development and integration with nearby countries, under criteria of sustainability and shared benefits; strengthening the contribution of international co-operation to the country’s sustainable development; among others.
Similarly, both nations tend to share comparable principles as far as foreign policies are concerned, such as:
lThe recognition of the sovereign equality of States, and respect for their independence.
lThe proscription of the threat and the use of force in international relations, which threatens the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or serves as a retaliatory measure or resource to resolve international disputes.
lNon-intervention or interference in matters of internal jurisdiction of other States, either directly or indirectly.
lThe pacific solution of international controversies based on the sovereign equality of States and the free choice of means, in such way that neither peace nor international security nor justices are endangered.
lSubjection to International Law as a norm of conduct in international relations and compliance in good faith with the obligations contracted under international legal instruments.
lEquality of rights and self-determination of peoples, as well as the right to freely choose their political, economic and social system.
lThe universality of human rights, and the interpretation of laws in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ratified treaties on this matter.
lRespect for democratic values and the rule of law.
lThe promotion of peace, security, co-operation and development in the various spheres of international relations.
On the other hand, we also share similar objectives with “Qatar National Vision 2030”, officially released in October 2008, whose main goal is to transform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development.
Respectively, our relations were formalised on November 7, 1989, establishing our embassies in Doha and Lima, in 2011 and 2012. The relations have extended its strength after the official visit made by the His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in February 2013 to Lima-Peru and that of the Peruvian president of that time in February 2014.
Another important milestone was the official visit of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to Lima on October 2, 2018, accompanied by a delegation made up of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Economy and Trade. The delegation was received by the current President of the Republic, Martín Vizcarra Cornejo.
Another major event was the the official ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, in Doha in November 2019.
It is worth mentioning that we maintain a “Political Consultation Mechanism”, which will be held at a second meeting in Doha, in the near future.
We have a series of agreements already signed and others to come, which cover areas of co-operation in the fields of education and scientific research and innovation, cultural, and inter-institutional co-operation between the Ministries of Foreign Relations, as well as Letters of Intent between the Ministries of the Interior of Peru and Qatar, between the National Institute of Civil Defence of Peru and the General Directorate of Civil Defence of Qatar in Disaster Irrigation Management.
We have been negotiating an agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (APPRI); an Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion (CDI); Air Services Agreement (ASA); and an Executive Programme of the Cultural Co-operation Agreement.
Our commitment is to continue strengthening our bilateral relationship in light of the framework of cordiality and friendship that unite our peoples, and on the day of National Independence, we need to continue our efforts in promoting mutual support and strengthen our Peruvian identity in this generous and prosperous nation of Qatar.
With a fraternal greeting to the Peruvian community and friends in Qatar, let us remember Peru with patriotism on this July 28th, 2020.
