It is a great honour for me to have been appointed Ambassador of the European Union to Peru. This country, renowned for its ancient history, extraordinary biodiversity and cultural wealth, is a key partner for the European Union, and I am delighted to take up the challenge of further strengthening our valuable relationship. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the European Union's interest in further deepening diplomatic, political, trade, investment and cooperation relations with Peru, a key ally in the region.

Throughout my career with the European Union, I have had the opportunity to work on strengthening our diplomatic relations with different regions of the world, including Latin America and Asia. This experience has involved collaboration with governments and other public institutions at national, regional and local level, as well as with civil society.

The European Union and Peru are strategic allies that share not only culture and values, but also very specific interests: the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic and social development, the fight against climate change, the promotion of peace and security based on the Charter of the United Nations, and the defence of democracy and human rights, among others. In a rapidly evolving global context, with growing geopolitical challenges, we need to further develop our relationship, including our bilateral cooperation, in order to face the climate and environmental crisis, reap the benefits of technological changes and fight against increasing inequalities.

In recent decades, a number of important milestones have served to consolidate the excellent relations between the European Union and Peru.  Our trade agreement has positioned the European Union as one of Peru's main trade and investment partners. The short-stay visa waiver for travel to European member countries of the Schengen area has also had a very positive impact on tourism, cultural and educational, economic and interpersonal ties. This arrangement has been a key element in strengthening our bilateral relations, promoting exchanges between our peoples and expanding cooperation in all sectors.

As regards our cooperation, we have an important programme prepared in consultation with the Peruvian authorities.  This cover issues such as social protection; the fight against drug trafficking, as well as violence against women; the green transition, the circular economy, and environmental protection.

Our action in Peru will be further reinforced through the Global Gateway initiative, the new European strategy to support sustainable development worldwide and promote a new way of doing cooperation. It pursues an alliance between the public and private sectors to encourage investments in key sectors. It also seeks to finance environmentally and socially responsible quality infrastructure and to improve investment.

The European Union has a strong presence in Peru. In addition to the European Union Delegation, 14 of our 27 member states are represented through embassies in Lima.

We work in a coordinated manner, as a true Team Europe, together with the Peruvian authorities and all our partners, to promote mutually beneficial and fruitful exchanges on the full range of political, commercial, cultural and cooperation issues. I reiterate the European Union’s commitment to be an ally for Peru as it pursues its efforts to modernize the State, supporting the reforms required in the context of its accession process to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

I invite you to learn more about the European Union and our work in Peru through this website and our different social networks (Facebook: European Union in Peru; X: @UEenPeru / @EUAmbPeru; Instagram: @ueenperu; YouTube: European Union in Peru; LinkedIn: European Union in Peru).

Jonathan Hatwell

European Union Ambassador to Peru