Bogota, Mexico DF, Lima, Santiago and San Jose, March 5, 2012. – The President members of the Pacific Alliance made the first virtual presidential Summit today through TelePresence. This summit was possible thanks to Telefónica and Cisco.
During 90 minutes the Presidents of Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama (by telephone) were able to specify the fundamental points for the signature of the treaty for the "Pacific Alliance" where the four main members will be Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile with Costa Rica and Panama as observer members.
"Today we have made an important step, as we were able to make this summit possible through the collaboration of Telefónica and Cisco. From my first day in the government I proposed a virtual summit as it saves money and they both helped us to make it possible," said the President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos at the end of the summit. "This represents a precedent for other ministers and presidents as they can avoid uncomfortable trips. This modality facilitates diplomacy at a regional level and in the future, at a global level. We celebrate that this virtual summit has been successful and with good results," said President Santos.
In Mexico, Chile and Colombia, the Presidents used the TelePresence rooms located in Los Pinos (Mexico), Casa de Nariño (Bogota) and Palacio de la Moneda (Chile). In Peru and Costa Rica the Presidents used the TelePresence rooms at the Telefonica and Cisco local offices respectively.
Cisco TelePresence is an innovative collaboration advanced technology which integrates developed audio, ultra high definition video and interactive elements to provide a "face-to-face" meeting experience through the network. Through Cisco TelePresence face-to-face meetings can be organised without the need to travel, with the ease of making a telephone call, which facilitates collaboration, productivity and decision making.
Government of Chile
President participated in Virtual Summit with his peers of the Pacific Alliance
Video
Government of Colombia
At virtual Summit, Presidents of Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Peru approve agreement for Pacific Alliance
http://wsp.presidencia.gov.co/Paginas/Presidencia.aspx
Government of Mexico
President Calderon leads Pacific Alliance Virtual Summit
http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/2012/03/encabeza-el-presidente-calderon-cumbre-virtual-de-la-alianza-del-pacifico/
Government of Peru
III Virtual Presidential Summit Pacific Alliance
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.309001115829734.76124.200505530012627&type=3
Government of Costa Rica
Costa Rica will be part of the Pacific Alliance as an observer
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. From this outstanding position in the industry, and with its mobile, fixed and broadband businesses as the key drivers of its growth, Telefonica has focused its strategy on becoming a leading company in the digital world.
The company has a significant presence in 25 countries and a customer base that amounts more than 300 million accesses around the world. Telefonica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.
Telefonica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4.563.996.485 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires. (www.telefonica.com)