Monday, May 24, 2010
Fifth Mexico-European Union Summit Agreements
Presidency of the Republic
Joint Statement [unedited]
1. The fifth
summit between Mexico and the European Union was held on 16 May 2010 in Comillas, Cantabria, Spain. It was presided by the
President of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, accompanied by Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Minister of Foreign
Affairs. The European Union was represented by the President of the European Council, Mr, Herman Van Rompuy and Mr. José Manuel
Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, with the participation of Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President
of the Government of Spain and incumbent President of the Council of the European Union.
2. The Parties
highlighted the maturity and the dynamism of relations between Mexico and the European Union under the Economic Partnership,
Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement and recognized that, a decade after entering into force, it has produced
tangible benefits for their respective societies.
Bilateral issues
Joint Executive Plan of the Strategic
Partnership
3. The Parties
formally approved the Joint Executive Plan of the Strategic Partnership, which reflects both sides’ commitment to continue
building a closer, deeper and more mature relationship by means of concrete actions and joint initiatives.
4. Both sides
agreed that the Strategic Partnership brings added value to the already deep and comprehensive Mexico-EU relationship. In
particular, it further encourages cooperation and coordination between the two parties. They underlined their common goal
to jointly promote their shared values, principles and interests, such as consolidating democracy, the rule of law the respect
for human rights, security, education, culture, science and technology, and social cohesion, as well as their commitment to
gender equality, equal opportunities, sustainable development and the fight against climate change.
Global Agreement
5. Both sides
agreed that the intensity of their political dialogue at all levels is a reflection of the importance they attach to their
bilateral relations. An in-depth political dialogue took place during the ninth EU-Mexico Joint Committee, which witnessed
converging positions on a number of issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, disarmament/non-proliferation, reform of
the United Nations and human rights.
6. Regarding
the economic aspects of the bilateral relationship, both sides expressed satisfaction for the positive framework for trade
and investments set up by the Trade Pillar of the Global Agreement. Notably, both sides appreciated the favourable trend of
trade flows, which have increased by 122 per cent since passage of the Agreement, despite the negative impact on trade of
the global financial and economic crisis in 2009. Foreign direct investment and trade in services also reported a positive
trend, with the EU being the second largest source of foreign capital in Mexico. The leaders repeated their commitment to
carrying on the negotiations in order to achieve an ambitious modernization of trade relations, in order to fully unlock the
potential benefits of the Mexico EU Free Trade Agreement.
Security Dialogue
7. Both sides
emphasized the importance of the Policy Dialogue on Public Security and Law Enforcement foreseen under the Joint Executive
Plan, which is to be launched once both parties agree on practical modalities. They expressed their willingness to establish
as soon as possible new mechanisms of cooperation between the public security and law enforcement authorities of Mexico and
the respective European agencies.
8. Furthermore
the Parties proposed to enhance coordination on issues concerning security at multilateral forums.
Human Rights Dialogue
9. The parties
agreed that the Human Rights Dialogue is progressing smoothly. In this regard, the parties welcomed the establishment of a
regular high-level human rights dialogue, through which both parties will have the opportunity to deepen the discussion on
their respective challenges and experiences in this field, including the exchange of best practices and information and appropriate
public policies. They agreed that such a dialogue will serve to reinforce the already good cooperation in this area.
The first multilateral meeting was held in Geneva on March 12, 2010, which shows both parties’ interest and engagement
in this new reinforced Human Rights Dialogue in the context of multilateral forums. The first bilateral meeting of the dialogue
took place in Mexico City on May 12; both parties agreed that this meeting provided new elements to strengthen and renovate
the existing Program of Cooperation between Mexico and the European Union on Human Rights.
Macroeconomic Dialogue
10. The leaders
underlined the relevance of launching a Sectoral Policy Dialogue on Macro-economic Issues, in order to enhance mutual understanding
on economic developments and policy challenges in Mexico, the EU and the global economy, as well as on salient issues being
discussed at the G20 and other international forums, including initiatives aimed at promoting strong, sustainable and balanced
growth for the global economy and reforming international financial institutions.
Other Sectoral Dialogues
11. The parties
reiterated the importance they place on continuing with the Policy Dialogue on Social Cohesion, under the 2007-2013 cooperation
programme, in particular through specific sectoral dialogues. In this context, they welcomed the policy dialogues held in
Mexico City in 2009 on taxation and on social security, and in January, March and April 2010 on public health, taxation and
social security. These dialogues received significant political and institutional attention and constituted a good opportunity
to exchange experiences and best practices between Mexico and the EU.
12. The leaders
welcomed the organization of the 2nd meeting of the Sectoral Policy Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change, designed to
step up bilateral cooperation and political consultation in key international bodies. An intensified cooperation in this field
is foreseen in the Strategic Partnership between Mexico and the EU, particularly considering that 2010 is the “International
Year of Biodiversity” and that Mexico will host the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP16) and the Conference on the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol (COP/MOP6) in Cancun from November 29 to December 10.
13. The Parties
welcomed the launching of Policy Dialogues in Education and Culture through the signing of Joint Declarations in June 2009
as a very positive step towards reinforcing their cooperation. Joint activities are planned for September and November of
this year.
14. Both sides
recognized the significant progress achieved in scientific and technological cooperation and expressed their interest in broadening
and stepping up cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, health,
energy and environment. The EU expressed satisfaction over the significant recent progress on scientific and technological
cooperation. Both sides are willing to ensure that these commitments are translated into concrete common achievements. The
parties also agreed that the evaluation process of the Science and Technology Agreement between Mexico and the EU which is
under implementation for renewal this year, provides an excellent opportunity to encourage the continued strengthening of
scientific and technological cooperation and to make it more strategic through priority areas decided on jointly and the launching
of specific joint actions. The parties agreed that an evaluation of the Science and Technology Agreement between Mexico and
the EU will be carried out in order to renew it in 2010.
Regional issues
15. Both parties
noted that during the Summit of Unity held in Cancun, Mexico, it was agreed to establish the Community of Latin-American and
Caribbean States. Mexico and the European Union emphasized that this will allow for the consolidation of an association of
global actors based on political dialogue, effective cooperation for development and, on the basis of common principles and
values, the joint promotion of topics on the international agenda.
Global Issues
16. The EU
and Mexico confirmed their commitment to the principles of international law, including human rights, good governance, effective
multilateralism, international development cooperation, international peace and security.
17. Discussions
on global climate change issues showed both parties’ desire for an ambitious, fair and comprehensive agreement at COP
16 in Cancun, Mexico, based on progress reached with the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention
(AWG-LCA), the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Appendix I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) and including
the important provisions of the Copenhagen Accord. Both parties also recognized the fundamental importance of biodiversity
for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and long-term human well-being, and agreed to step up efforts to fight biodiversity
loss, by adopting a new, ambitious, fair and effective global biodiversity strategy at COP10 of the United Nations Convention
on Biodiversity and by establishing an Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
18. The EU
also expressed its support of the preparatory process that Mexico is implementing in the run up to COP 16 – COP/MOP
6.
19. With regard
to coordination in multilateral forums, both sides repeated their commitment to supporting each other on matters of common
interest. In this respect, both sides expressed similar views about the priorities concerning the 65th Session of the United
Nations General Assembly, particularly UN reform, Millennium Development Goals, disarmament/non-proliferation, climate change
and biodiversity, drugs, transnational organized crime, human rights, intercultural dialogue, peace building, and the responsibility
to protect.
20. On global
economic and financial issues, both sides stressed the importance of the multilateral trading system of the World Trade Organization
and an ambitious, balanced outcome of the Doha Development Round as soon as possible. Both sides agreed on the need for the
G20 to deliver on existing commitments and to set ambitious goals for the future to achieve stronger, more balanced and more
sustainable growth. They shared similar views about the priorities to pursue in this context, notably on supporting global
recovery; ensuring the consistent implementation of financial market reforms and strengthening international financial institutions,
among others. From its part, the EU welcomes and supports hosting the G-20 Summit in 2012. The EU is committed to making a
strong contribution to this Summit.
21. On international
migration, the EU has expressed support for Mexico's role as leader of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. For
its part, Mexico reported on preparations for the next meeting of this forum which will be held in Puerto Vallarta in November
2010. Both Parties welcomed the launching of the bi-regional European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean Structured Dialogue
on Migration, held in June 30, 2009, as the main forum between both regions to discuss and exchange views on migration. They
also expressed their concern over all practices based on intolerance and racial prejudice.
Other issues
22. Both Parties
expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the work carried out by the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Commission, as well as
on its contribution to the consolidation of the political dialogue between Mexico and the European Union.
23. Both sides
welcomed the results of the Third EU-Mexico Civil Society Forum held in Brussels in November 2008. A joint EU-Mexico answer
was sent to the Civil Society Organizations in reply to the recommendations they had made on that occasion. Mexico confirmed
that the Fourth EU-Mexico Civil Society Forum will be held in Mexico City in October 2010.
24. Lastly,
both sides decided to hold the next political dialogue meeting at Heads of State or Government level on a date to be agreed
on.
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Press Release: Presidency of
the Republic, May 16, 2010, Comillas, Spain; translation Presidency of the Republic (May 21, 2010)
