2015 marks 125 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Russia. The dynamism of those relations is gaining momentum and holds great promise for stronger ties. Our nations enjoy a smooth and steady political dialogue. This year will bring a reunion of the Joint Bilateral Commission, as well as mutual visits of Foreign Ministers.
Some of the most celebrated national holidays in Mexico include Independence Day on September 16, Cinco de Mayo on May 5 (the Day of the Battle of Puebla), and Flag Day on February 24. These holidays give us the opportunity to reflect not only on current national affairs, but also on our country’s relations with other nations.
2015 marks 125 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Russia. The dynamism of those relations is gaining momentum and holds great promise for stronger ties. Our nations enjoy a smooth and steady political dialogue. This year will bring a reunion of the Joint Bilateral Commission, as well as mutual visits of Foreign Ministers.
The commercial component of our bilateral relations is also advancing. Several prestigious Mexican businesses, such as Grupo Maseca and Nemak, are currently building factories in Russia, with initial investment about USD 50 billion and USD 80 billion, respectively. Trade is diversifying, and the relevant authorities are currently engaged in a dialogue about exporting Mexican seafood, dairy products, and meat to Russia.
Furthermore, Mexican company Interjet has purchased 20 Russian Sukhoi jets since 2013, and has recently announced that it was acquiring ten more.
Also in 2013, Roscosmos launched Mexico’s Satmex-8 satellite from Baikonur, and both countries are continuing to cooperate in this regard. Another Mexican satellite – the Centenario – is scheduled for launch from the same platform with Russia’s help in April 2015.
Energy is another sector that offers important prospects for cooperation. Russian businesses such as Gazprom, Rosneft, and Zarubezhneft have shown interest in approaching Pemex to explore possibilities for joint work. It should also be remembered that Russian company Lukoil and Mexican oil company Pemex signed a cooperation agreement one year ago, in January 2014.
Mexico seeks to deepen its ties with Russia in the long-term. For that reason, it will continue to actively promote these ties, as it has already been doing for years, while reinforcing those efforts through other means.
With respect to the tourism industry, the Mexico Tourism Board established a representative office in Moscow in November 2014. As we know, Russian tourism abroad has been significantly affected by the current economic situation, falling by up to 50% depending on the destination. Measures are being taken to minimize the impact on the flow of Russian tourists to Mexico.
ProMexico, an agency that promotes Mexican exports and investment, will open a representative office in the Russian capital in the coming weeks. Along with the Mexican Embassy, ProMexico will serve as an important bridge between Russian and Mexican businesses.
The Mexico Tourism Board and ProMexico, both housed at the Mexican Embassy, are and will continue to be dedicated to promoting Mexico in Russia and strengthening bilateral ties, thereby contributing to mutual understanding and benefit.
With respect to the multilateral agenda, the two countries share great similarities and intend to enhance their dialogue on such topics as nuclear disarmament, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the fight against organized crime, the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and the situation in Syria, to name a few.
In celebration of 125 years of diplomatic relations, Mexico has placed particular emphasis on stepping up its presence in Russia via cultural activities, commercial events, academic meetings, and participation in local and regional forums. Such events will be held not only in Moscow, but also in other Russian regions, such as St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, and Krasnoyarsk.
This is a year of both celebration and intense work in Mexican-Russian relations. We will celebrate 125 years of ups and downs, which occur in all international relations, and we will work together to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding that we have fostered over the years.