Peru Chosen to Head Andean Nations Community

Nearing its 50 anniversary, the Andean Nations Community elected Peru to preside over its international meetings after a seven-year vacancy in the Andean Presidential Council.

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"We are approaching the historic milestone of 50 years of Andean integration," said Peruvian chancellor Nestor Popolizio.

“It is an auspicious occasion to convene in July an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to evaluate the process of re-engineering the community,” Popolizio said.

Under the Peruvian leadership, the organization intends to realize the “political commitment” which was established in 1969 in Cartagena de Indias by its founding members Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They also plan to concentrate efforts towards promoting regional integration and projects which directly support the needs of the people.

Popolizio stressed the need to open up for the region advantages which have previously only been enjoyed by the rural border cities, economic and health care benefits awarded to the sectors by the European Union.

Among some of the more technological proposals are improvements for the Andean Migration Card, more affordable telephone roaming fees, sharing of information on disease and plant pests, as well as US$50 million to be used towards business innovations in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

The group was formed in the late 1960’s in order to organize an equal a balanced development across the Andean region. Over the last 50 years, the four neighboring nations were also able to unify its natural disaster response mechanisms, create the Andean Committee of Cultural Affairs, and realize a number of global agreements.