New York, September 21, 2004

Andean Community Foreign Affairs Ministers, under the chairmanship of Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Manuel Rodríguez Cuadros, in his role as Chairman of the Andean Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers, met at the United Nations with Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Kostyantin Gryshchenko, where they had the opportunity of exchanging thoughts on the Ukrainian proposal on an "Understanding on Trade Matters " between Ukraine and the Andean countries.

The Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister pointed out the positive aspects of a close relationship of the Andean countries with Ukraine, citing as an example, that there are 1,200 Peruvians studying in that country, which has a high annual growth rate. Andean countries have agreed to study the Ukrainian proposal in depth, to then evaluate the convenience of signing a Political Consultation and Cooperation Agreement as well as a Science and Technology Agreement.

These and other meetings of the Andean Foreign Ministers with different integration systems and third parties form part of the Common External Policy adopted by the five Andean countries, attempting to widen relations and cooperation in the sub-regional integration process.