Mexico - Joint statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign affairs, and Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Secretary of Foreign affairs of Mexico (1 July 2021)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian, met with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard, on July 1. The two officials discussed deepening the bilateral relationship, the international panorama regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Generation Equality Forum co-chaired by France and Mexico. They also renewed the commitment of both countries to effective multilateralism.

The ministers:

• Underscored the excellent state of the Franco-Mexican relationship, reaffirmed the strategic nature of the partnership and agreed to continue strengthening the political and economic dialogue to deepen the bilateral relationship.

• Welcomed the confidence that French companies have shown for investing in Mexico, as seen by their participation in infrastructure projects, especially the Mayan Train, the Azteca vaccine plant project and the Mayakan gas pipeline.

• Confirmed the importance of swiftly signing and ratifying the modernized Mexico-European Union Global Agreement, just as it was negotiated. They highlighted the contribution its entry into force would make to both countries’ post-pandemic recovery and to the definition of rules-based trade respectful of the collective preferences of both parties that would allow us to increase our ambitions and commitments regarding sustainable development.

• Welcomed the proposals presented by the Franco-Mexican Strategic Council, especially in areas such as innovation, health, tourism and culture.

• Signed a Declaration of Intent to strengthen cooperation on the illicit trafficking of cultural property, with the aim of joining forces to protect cultural heritage.

• Welcomed the success of the Generation Equality Forum, co-organized by both countries, and the specific actions that will be taken over the next five years, thanks to a solid partnership with civil society, particularly the younger generations.

• Agreed to continue working to strengthen our collaboration in multilateral forums, especially in the United Nations Security Council, the G20, the Human Rights Council and the Green Climate Fund co-chaired by France and Mexico, following up on the Declaration for Effective Multilateralism signed during Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Mexico on December 19, 2019.

• Expressed their satisfaction for the health cooperation between our two countries as part of the fight against the pandemic and highlighted their shared efforts to prevent the emergence of zoonoses, especially Mexico’s joining the Prezode initiative and the creation of El Dorado, a regional laboratory in Merida.

• Reaffirmed their commitment to helping to reduce the unequal access to safe, affordable and effective vaccines, and to ensuring equitable access to vaccines for developing countries, especially through continued support for COVAX. They recognized the contributions of the G7, the G20 and the European Union to the world supply of vaccines, and those of Mexico and Argentina to the supply in Latin America and the Caribbean.