BRASILIA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Peruvian Minister of Transport and Communications Enrique Cornejo Tuesday conveyed his country's proposal for a regional pact aimed at cutting armaments among the members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

    The proposal from Peruvian President Alan Garcia, submitted to Brazilia's Senate President Jose Sarney, called for reduction of 3percent from the armament expenditure in the region over the next five years, allowing more resources to social programs.

    The Peruvian government voiced its concern with the arms race marked by purchase of military weapons by UNASUR members.

    "The enemies we have to tackle with is poverty, drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism," said Cornejo, who pointed out that military spending in the region amounted to 34,000 million U.S. dollars last year.

    The minister hoped that the pact could help prevent situations like the recent tensions between Venezuela and Colombia.

    When receiving the document, Sarney highlighted the "tradition of brotherhood" between the South American peoples and pledged to support the initiative.

    The initiative, which has been introduced to all South American countries, comes a year after the creation of a South American Defense Council, which pushes the idea of a military industry integrated throughout the region.