Peruvian President Alan García Monday said his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez would be "welcomed" when he arrives in Lima to attend the Summit of Latin American, Caribbean, and European Union heads of state next May 16-17, but conceded they have political and ideological differences.

"We actually have a relationship of adversity (with Chávez), but we can be friends. Adversaries do not need to be enemies," García told reporters in Lima, as quoted by DPA.

García, the leader of ruling Peruvian Aprista Party, said Peru and Venezuela "have different development models. Time will tell which one is better, but it is not necessary to insult each other or knocking each other's teeth down."

Chávez is scheduled to visit Lima for the first time ever since García took power in July 2006. Concomitantly to the Summit of Latin American, Caribbean, and European Union heads of state, Chávez is also taking part in the Social Summit of the Peoples, next May 13-16, the organizers of the parallel meeting said.