Monday, February 8, 2010

Mexico & Japan Forge Anew a Global Strategic Partnership

Speech by President Felipe Calderón

Tokyo, Japan

I would like to thank Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, his government, the Japanese people and their majesties the Emperor and Empress for the hospitality with which they received us here in Japan. It is a sign of the reciprocal affection between our nations

We have had the opportunity to have an extremely productive meeting with the Prime Minister and his government team. We discussed the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship, and working together on issues of shared interest at the global level, as he himself has said.

First. Regarding economic relations, the common aim is to multiply trade, investment, cooperation and create new opportunities to improve the living conditions of the Mexican and Japanese people.

This is why we agreed to increase the scope of the Strategic Partnership we established in 2003, in keeping with what our countries mean on the international scene.

We agreed on the need to take advantage of this Economic Partnership Agreement to encourage the restoration of trade and investment flows that have been affected by the international economic crisis.

In particular, Mexico wishes to promote Japanese investments, not only in traditional sectors with a large presence in Japan but also in sectors such as clean energy, energy savings, the aerospace industry and infrastructure.

That is why, during this visit, I have met with and will continue to meet with the directors of the main Japanese companies. I will also attend the 28th meeting of the Bilateral Committee of Japanese-Mexican Businessmen.

Second. Prime Minister Hatoyama and I agreed to place the highest priority on scientific and technological cooperation. We rated our joint cooperation program, which has favored the implementation of development projects in third countries, mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean, extremely high.

Among other things, in light of the earthquake that affected Haiti we analyzed the ways we could promote joint projects for this sister nation.

Third. We also agreed to intensify cultural and educational exchange and academic collaboration between our peoples, and I invited the Prime Minister to visit Mexico. I said that I would be honored if Japan could be represented at the highest possible level at the commemorations of the Independence Bicentennial and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution.

I also invited His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Heir Prince to this event.

Fourth. And I think that the most important point about the successful meetings we have had is that we agreed to establish an action plan for a Strategic Global Partnership between Mexico and Japan, which will further strengthen the joint work between our two nations.

The Action Plan for the Global Strategic Partnership between Mexico and Japan is not and will not be limited to economic aspects such as the Strategic Partnership, and instead it will incorporate many issues included in our Joint Statement.
 
This includes working in the Global Strategic Partnership on coordinated actions to promote the world economy as we have done in G-20 and working together on issues such as climate change. I thank Prime Minister Hatoyama for the support in ensuring the success of COP16 in Mexico, and we will work from now on to create a dialogue between all countries and the consensus required to advance on this issue.

Our action plan for the Mexico-Japan Strategic Partnership also includes other key issues at the international level. These include disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; the commitment to work for peace, security and the verification of denuclearization; nuclear non-proliferation; and full respect for human rights on all issues, particularly in the terms concerning the Korean Peninsula and the September 2005 Joint Statement on the issue.

They also include cooperation in the United Nations, where both Mexico and Japan currently belong to the Security Council, on reform of the UN itself, on human security issues, and the Japan-Mexico Partnership Program, which refers to training and cooperation projects regarding third countries as I have already said.

They also encompass support in response to the earthquake damage in Haiti, integration and development projects in Mesoamerica, and support for the International Cooperation for Development Agency. These issues will, I am sure, strengthen relations between Mexico and Japan in an unprecedented manner.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Mr. Prime Minister.

Ministers.

Secretaries.

This year, when Japan and Mexico are celebrating 400 years since the start of their bilateral relations, is marked by a new stage, not only by the conversations in which Prime Minister Hatoyama and I have engaged but also by this new Action Plan for the Global Strategic Partnership. This Global Strategic Partnership which we have decided to build is the best way to celebrate these 400 years of contact and links between Mexico and Japan by working and boosting bilateral relations.

Once again, I would like to thank Prime Minister Hatoyama and the Japanese people for their friendship and hospitality. And I repeat that in Mexico you will always have not only a reliable country but also a friendly country that is committed to a future of peace and prosperity for our nations.

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Press Release: Speech by Mexican President Felipe Calderón, in Tokyo, Japan; Presidency of the Republic, February 1, 2010; translation Presidency of the Republic.