President Marcos believes it is time for the Philippines and Peru to pursue even stronger ties as both countries celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations in 2024.

Marcos said this during his bilateral meeting with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Economic Meeting in San Francisco on Friday, Nov. 17 (Manila time).

In his remarks, Marcos said it was time for the Philippines and Peru to pursue and encourage even stronger ties, considering their common colonial history and as they emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

"I find that this is important, in this time in our history, because of the importance of alliances and the partnerships that we forge in this time as we are trying to recover, to transform the economies after the pandemic, and in the face of the many geopolitical shocks that both our countries are feeling," he said.

Boluarte agreed and invited Marcos to visit Peru next year to mark the milestone between the two countries and for the APEC meeting that Peru will host in 2024.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you officially for [an] official State Visit to Peru. Next year it is going to be 50 years. So, we'd be honored if you can pay a state visit to us to commemorate," she said.

"And so, we look forward to welcoming you to Peru with open arms and warm hearts to have that brotherly and sisterly treatment between our countries," she added.

Meanwhile, both leaders stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in the face of the complex challenges in the international scene.

The Philippines and Peru established diplomatic relations on Nov. 30, 1974, with the Philippines setting up its embassy in Lima in 1982 while Peru established its mission in Manila in 1980.

There are approximately 160 Filipinos in Peru as of September 2022, primarily professionals, service and sales workers, missionaries, and students.

With regard to Peru's APEC participation, it previously hosted APEC in 2008 and 2016. Peru's APEC 2024 theme is: "Empower. Include. Grow."

Embassies

According to Boluarte, Peru will open its embassy in Manila next year after closing it in 2003 as part of its austerity program. The Peruvian Ambassador in Bangkok covers the Philippines as a non-resident Ambassador.

The Peruvian leader hopes the Philippines will do the same in Peru.

"This will be a very important step in shortening the distance and shortening time in order to continue the ties between the Philippines and Peru," she said.

Trade links

In terms of trade, President Boluarte said she wants the trade agencies of both countries to work together so the South American country can ship its agricultural products, such as grapes, avocados, and blueberries, to the Philippines.

The Philippines' main exports to Peru include electronic products, tuna, other manufactures, non-metallic mineral manufactures, and chemicals, among others.

On the other hand, Peru's major exports to the Philippines include metalliferous ores and metal scrap, non-ferrous metal, animal feeding, metal products, and articles of apparel and accessories.