Canadian Defense Minister Peter Mackay and Peruvian Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano Bellido signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.

The defense minister of Peru was on a visit to Canada this week, and the minister along with his Canadian counterpart discussed a wide range of topics to deepen the military relationship.

"I'm pleased to establish a defense partnership with Peru that strengthens our ties and contribute to hemispheric stability and security," said Peter Mackay while signing Memorandum of Understanding.

"This Memorandum of Understanding signals our government's interest in working with our hemispheric partners towards deeper policy, peace and humanitarian operations, disaster response and military education and training," added Mackay.

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy who was also present at the signing of the MoU said that Canada is committed to increasing economic opportunity and strengthening security throughout the hemisphere.

"Canada is committed to working with our friends in the Americas to increase economic opportunity and to strengthen security throughout the hemisphere," said Diane Ablonczy in a press release Wednesday.

"This agreement is a very positive step forward in our joint efforts, and complements the growing ties between our two countries in other areas, such as trade and commerce," she added.

In 2005, Peru became a member of Canada's Military Training and Cooperation Program partner and since then, the two defense ministries have been working closely in organizing joint training and enhancing cooperation for future peace support operations.

According to the Canadian defense ministry, Canada has lately provided courses in peace support operations, language, civil-military relations, and professional and staff development for more than 70 Peruvian officers.

 "Canada also interacts with Peru in a number of multilateral hemispheric defense fora, including the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, which both Minister MacKay and Minister Cateriano attended in October 2012," the Canadian defense ministry said in the release.

 Peru is said to be hosting the Conference of defense ministers in 2014.

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