LIMA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Peruvian President Alan Garcia Friday met his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus here to promote bilateral ties.

    During a ceremony at the Government Palace, Klaus expressed his hope that his visit would be a boost for the ties.

    Klaus, the first Czech president visiting Peru, said "we are convinced that Peru is a stable and functional country of South America."

    He said his country would like to expand its ties with Peru at all political, economic, cultural and academic levels.

    Garcia said he wished Klaus' visit would make Peruvians better understand the Czech Republic and encourage more Peruvian businesspersons to do business with it.

    The two presidents signed three agreements on anti-drug, investment promotion, and cooperation on culture, education, sciences and sports.

    Peru and Czechoslovakia, the predecessor of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, built diplomatic ties in 1918, which broke in 1946. The ties were restored in 1968.

    Peru is a popular tourist destination visited by 5,000 Czechs in 2008.