The current political crisis in Peru will not affect the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in Lima, Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Belaunde said Friday.
Peru's image had not been damaged by its recent political problems caused by a corruption scandal, Garcia Belaunde said.
He added that his country had hosted many preliminary APEC meetings in different cities.
"So, it is in order. The image of continuity and stability of the government is important under these circumstances, but I can affirm that the (APEC) summit will be done with all normality," Garcia Belaunde said.
Four audio tapes emerged Sunday linking members of President Alan Garcia's APRA party to a plan to steer lucrative petroleum contracts to a Norwegian oil company in exchange for bribes.
Following the scandal, the government removed Petroperu Vice President Alberto Quimper from his post and accepted the resignations of Energy Minister Juan Valdvia and Petroperu President Cesar Gutierrez.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo said Garcia had accepted the resignations of all his cabinet members due to their alleged corruption.
Peru is preparing to host the APEC summit in November, when more than 20 heads of state will visit the country.
(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2008)
