Doha, 28 July 2022 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

P ERU and Qatar enjoy excellent ties and both countries are working hard to enhance their relations in several sectors including comprehensive investment agreement, education, culture, health and sports, the Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Qatar HE Dr. Jose A. Benzaquen Perea has said.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune on the eve of the 201st Independence Day of Peru, Dr. Perea said that Qatar and Peru’s ties are based on political and diplomatic cooperation with Qatar as a relevant actor in international politics and diplomacy.

Ambassador Perea, who holds a doctoral degree in Law and Political Science, is a writer and author of several books including ‘The Summits of Heads of State
and Government and their contributions to International and National Law Between 2004-2009’ (2014); ‘New Jersey and Its Peruvian’ (2016); and ‘Globalization, Law and International Relations’ (2018), besides writing several academic articles.

Before his posting as ambassador of his country to the State of Qatar, he had served in various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prestigious postings as a diplomat including in Honduras; UN Offices New York; Germany; Soviet Union; Consulate offices Connecticut and New Jersey (US) and Greece.

Talking on bilateral relations, he said that relations between Peru and Qatar have gone from strength to strength following the official visit of Father Amir HH
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in February 2013 to Capital City Lima followed by the visit of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on October 2, 2018.

He said both Peru and Qatar are reinforcing multilateralism in relations, which allows the two countries to maintain peace and unite for common objectives and
interests, as well as to promote a positive image of their countries.

Dr. Perea, who had presented his official credentials in Qatar on April 3, 2019, said, “I found a similarity in many ways between both the countries, for example,
the contribution of Arabic to the Spanish languages, the influence of the Arabic gastronomy to the Peruvian cuisine, the Arabic origins of the Peruvian Paso horse,
the Arabic camel links with the camelids of South America, and the value of the Arabic community in Peru.”

He expressed his gratitude to the State of Qatar and the authorities for the remarkable experience at international events that Peru has been participating in
including political summits, energy, cultural field, sports including football, athletics, swimming, shooting, squash, and table tennis among others.

On the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, he said, “Undoubtedly, Qatar will host an unforgettable edition of the 2022 World Cup that the planet will always remember.”

On Peru’s National Day anniversary, Dr. Perea, on behalf of the Peruvians, expressed his sincere gratitude to the State of Qatar under the leadership of the Amir
HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatari people for their constant generosity towards helping many countries and nations in need that require not only financial support but also a strong ally to count on in the international community.

Talking about the tourist attractions in Peru, the envoy said, “Peru is a diverse country with unique nature where you can see a home to 84 of the world’s ecosystems and which has 28 climates on the planet at the same time.”

Peru, he pointed out, is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries where, “consequently you can observe exclusive flora and fauna in its main regains: the Costa on the West; Andes in the Center; and the immense Amazonia on the East. Moreover, we have built a country proud of its roots with a mountain range or walk and a coast in front of the Pacific Ocean with countless riches. On the coast, the culture of Coral with 5,000 years old, the world’s wonder of Machu Picchu, and the enigma of Nazaca Lines.”

Talking about his country’s national vision, he said Peru has similar objectives as Qatar National Vision 2030, officially released in October 2008 with main goal to transform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development.

About the National Day celebrations, he said, “We emphasise that the National Day of the Republic of Peru is not only a date for celebration, because it’s a great
message that we do not retreat from dreams, no matter the difficulties, and much more beautiful than withdrawing from them.”

Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Peru were formalized on 7 November 1989, establishing embassy in Doha and Lima in 2011 and 2012 respectively. “When there is a friendship, the relationship of two nations endure over time for the good of their populations, Peru, and Qatar, forever together,” he concluded.