Obama praises U.S.-Peru cooperation in war against drugs

WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama, after meeting with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the White House, said Peru is one of the strongest U.S. partners.

The bilateral relationship includes cooperation in security and the war on drug trafficking, Obama said, adding that the focus of their talk was how to deepen the strategic cooperation in fighting drug cartels.

Obama also congratulated Humala on economic growth in Peru, and said the two countries were working to reach the Transpacific Partnership, a proposed treaty to open markets.

"Overall the state of our relationship is very strong," Obama said.

Obama also wished good luck to the Peruvian soccer team, which was set to play Colombia Tuesday night in the World Cup 2014 Qualification Round.

Humala joked that the referee for the game is from United States and asked him to help Peru.

The Peruvian president also said his country wants to enlarge the educational exchanges with United States, and grow cooperation in science and technology.