President Ollanta Humala said Peru and the European Union must tackle problems of drug trafficking, inequality, and poverty, together, after meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, on Tuesday.

Speaking at the European Council’s headquarters, in Brussels, Humala said Peru and the EU shared many similarities, such as the importance of social inclusion, and maintaining the respect for the rule of law, Andina reported.

Humala said that he and Van Rompuy discussed the importance of education and culture, “issues that clearly unite us more.”

"And as mentioned by the President of the European Council we also have challenges we must address together, such as the fight against drug trafficking, the fight against inequality and poverty," Humala was quoted as saying by Andina.

The president said his presence in Brussels was a response to the need to improve the process of regional integration between the EU, Peru, and Colombia, as it related to the signing of the multiparty free trade agreement.

Humala added that Peru was committed to continue working toward becoming “a useful partner” for the EU, “in ways that can also benefit the peoples of Latin America.”

 

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