PERU-U.S. RELATIONS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. Relations With PeruBureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs

Fact Sheet
August 28, 2012

U.S.-PERU RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Peru in 1827 following Peru’s independence from Spain. In the last decade, Peru has seen consistent economic growth, poverty reduction, and broad support for democracy. The country is a key U.S. partner in Latin America, and the two have strong, positive, and cooperative relations. The United States promotes the strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights safeguards in Peru as well as socially inclusive economic growth based on free trade and open markets. The U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) was signed in 2009.

The two countries cooperate on efforts to limit the production and exportation of narcotics, and to strengthen the rule of law in Peru. Bilateral programs include manual eradication of illicit coca cultivation, aviation support for eradication and interdiction operations, and technical assistance and equipment for the Peruvian National Police (PNP) and Customs agency (SUNAT). The United States also provides funding to build the capacity of judicial actors. These U.S. Government-supported law enforcement efforts complement an aggressive effort to establish an alternative development program for coca farmers in key coca-growing areas to voluntarily reduce and eliminate illicit coca cultivation.

Peru Today

President Ollanta Humala Tasso began a five-year term on July 28, 2011, pledging to extend the benefits of Peru's strong economic growth to all Peruvians, particularly those from traditionally disadvantaged indigenous and rural communities. Two decades of pro-growth macro-economic policy in Peru have yielded unprecedented economic expansion, low inflation, investment-grade status for the country’s debt, and a dramatic drop in poverty rates. Yet many challenges remain. More than a quarter of the population continues to live in poverty, illegal coca growth and cocaine production are on the rise, and social conflicts over natural resources and how to achieve socially inclusive and environmentally responsible growth pose serious challenges. Continued poverty reduction will remain critical to achieving socially inclusive and environmentally responsible growth.

U.S. Assistance to Peru

To further strengthen its democracy, reduce illegal coca cultivation, and promote socially inclusive market-based economic growth, Peru has committed to broaden economic opportunities and increase the state presence in areas susceptible to the influence and control of narco-traffickers, including the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene and Montaro (VRAEM). U.S. assistance promotes these objectives through bilateral programs that support Peru’s anti-narcotics and alternative development efforts, increased social and economic inclusion, improve governance, and sound environmental stewardship.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Economic and commercial ties have deepened with the 2009 implementation of the U.S.- Peru TPA. U.S. investment in Peru has grown substantially in recent years as has two-way trade. The United States is one of Peru's largest foreign investors and trade partners. About 330,000 U.S. citizens visit Peru annually for business, tourism, or study. Peru is a participant in efforts to negotiate a regional trade agreement under the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which also includes the United States.

Peru's Membership in International Organizations

Peru and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

U.S. AND PERU AGREE TO CONTINUE PROTECTING PERUVIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ITEMS

Photo:  Peruvian Ancient Art Object.  Credit:  Wikimedia.

F

ROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

United States and Peru Extend Agreement to Protect Peruvian Heritage

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 8, 2012

The Department of State is pleased to announce the extension of the “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Peru Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material from the Pre-Hispanic Cultures and Certain Ethnological Material from the Colonial Period of Peru” (MOU). The Department of Homeland Security has published notification of the extended restrictions in the Federal Register, effective June 9, 2012.
The MOU covers archaeological remains of ancient cultures - such as the Chavin, Moche, Cuzco, Incas - that developed in Peru from 12,000 B.C. to A.D. 1532. Their achievements include the construction of city complexes; advances in metallurgy; the production of textiles, gold and silver jewelry, and unique styles of polychrome ceramic vessels. They are a reminder that the accomplishments of these ancient cultures are among the most important in the history of mankind. The MOU also protects ethnological material produced during the Colonial period (A.D. 1532-1821) such as sculpture and paintings with stylistically distinct iconography.

This MOU, in effect since 1997, is possible under U.S. legislation that implements the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, a framework of cooperation to stem pillage and unauthorized transport of cultural objects across boundaries. Systematic pillage of archaeological sites in Peru and removal of ecclesiastical ethnological material has caused irreparable loss to Peruvian history and tradition. Their protection promotes alternative approaches to accessing this material for cultural, educational, and scientific purposes and offers Peru the opportunity to develop long-term solutions for safeguarding its unique ancient past.

By extending this MOU, the United States demonstrates its continued respect for the extraordinary cultural heritage of Peru. The restricted objects may enter the United States if accompanied with an export permit issued by the government of Peru or documentation of its provenance prior to 1997 and if no other applicable U.S. laws are violated.

The extension is consistent with a recommendation made by the Cultural Property Advisory Committee to the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State, to whom the President’s decision-making authority on these matters is delegated. The Committee is a presidentially-appointed body established to make recommendations to the Department concerning cultural property agreements.
This MOU follows on emergency protection that entered into force in 1990 to reduce the threat of pillage of Moche artifacts newly found at the royal tombs of Sipan, Peru. Protection of the Sipan material was incorporated into the MOU in 1997 and continues in effect.

U.S.-PERU HOLD ENVIRONMENTAL MEETINGS

Photos:  Peruvian Mask (Left) and Peruvian Art Object (Below).  Credit:  Wikimedia.
FROM:  U.S.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE
United States and Peru Hold Environmental Meetings
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
May 31, 2012
The Governments of the United States and Peru convened a series of environmental meetings related to the U.S. - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) from May 29-31 in Washington, D.C. The governments also held a public session, providing interested stakeholders with the opportunity to raise issues and ask questions about implementation efforts.

Peru and the United States reviewed the progress that has been made to ensure effective implementation of, and compliance with, the obligations under the Environment Chapter of the PTPA. They highlighted key steps each country has undertaken in the past year to strengthen efforts to provide for high levels of environmental protection and discussed details of an independent secretariat called for under the PTPA to receive and consider submissions claiming that a party is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws.
Officials discussed progress implementing the Annex on Forest Sector Governance (Annex) of the Environment Chapter of the PTPA, including Peru’s efforts to develop regulations to implement its new Forestry and Wildlife Law and processes to audit and verify timber producers and exporters.

The governments reviewed implementation of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, in particular the status of cooperative environmental activities under the 2011-2014 Work Program, which focuses primarily on implementing the Annex. They also outlined a process for the coordination of future activities, discussed mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and shared experiences about the implementation of environmental cooperation work programs pursuant to other free trade agreements.