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Visit to Mexico by Foreign Minister Wadephul
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez in Mexico with football shirts of the German and Mexican national teams © Juliane Sonntag/AA/photothek.de
Mexico is a key partner for Germany in Latin America and one of the European Union’s two strategic partners in the region. In the Americas, Mexico is also an important link between North and South.
Speaking in Mexico, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:
Germany and Mexico play on the same team. We are friends and close partners, and we share common values.
Germany wants to strengthen its relationship with Mexico in all areas. In the economic sphere especially, there is great potential to expand cooperation further. More than 2000 German companies are represented in Mexico. In addition, the country is already Germany’s biggest trading partner in Latin America.
Foreign Minister Wadephul aimed to use his trip to strengthen trade relations in particular. He is the first EU Foreign Minister to visit Mexico since the modernised Global Agreement between Mexico and the European Union was signed. The Agreement reduces tariffs, for example in the agriculture sector. Closer cooperation with regard to digitalisation, standards and sustainability was also agreed. The modernisation of the Global Agreement is a significant milestone in expanding economic ties with Mexico.
In Mexico, Foreign Minister Wadephul stated:
Fewer tariffs, as we have agreed for the agriculture sector, and greater cooperation on standards, digitalisation and sustainability – all this is good news for German and Mexican enterprises alike and therefore also for our citizens.
In dialogue with business people and during a visit to a pharmaceutical manufacturer, Foreign Minister Wadephul learned more about opportunities and challenges for economic cooperation.
In Mexico City, Foreign Minister Wadephul met his Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco Alvarez. The two colleagues co-chair the Binational Commission, which convened for the first time in seven years. Within this context, representatives from various ministries gather in working groups to discuss a broad range of issues. Further steps in the area of cooperation were agreed in a joint declaration.
In Mexico, Foreign Minister Wadephul continued:
The Binational Commission is real teamwork. Together with representatives from numerous ministries, we discussed a truly broad spectrum of topics that have a bearing on our relations, ranging from business to science, from climate to culture and from security policy to education. We want to continue to bolster our partnership.
Foreign Minister Wadephul also visited the Mexican branch of the Goethe-Institut, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Mexico this year. Every year, approximately 7500 people complete German examinations at the Goethe-Institut in Mexico. That also harbours considerable potential for cooperation in connection with skilled workers. Germany needs well-qualified specialists, and Mexico is a focus for Germany in this context. This, too, is something that Foreign Minister Wadephul was keen to promote.