Mexico-Russia: Prospects for Strengthening Bilateral Relations in the Current Context

Speech by Ruben Beltran, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of Mexico to the Russian Federation, at the Roundtable “Russia and Pacific Alliance: Opportunities for Expanded Cooperation”, RIAC, September 30, 2014.

Speech by Ruben Beltran, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of Mexico to the Russian Federation, at the Roundtable “Russia and Pacific Alliance: Opportunities for Expanded Cooperation”, RIAC, September 30, 2014.

In 2015, we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Russia. This date gives us an excellent opportunity to discuss the current state of our relationship, how it is regulated, and any similarities and differences in our viewpoints.

For Mexico, relations with Russia are so important that it appears necessary to revise, analyze, and explore the various aspects of the dynamics of our cooperation.

There is little doubt that over the nearly 125-year history of relations between Mexico and Russia, life has undergone profound changes. Now is the time to review the institutional framework of these bonds for the sake of promoting cooperation between our countries. This was emphasized by our Presidents and foreign ministers, and highlighted at a recent meeting of our Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Following the results of the New York meeting, it was decided to give a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations. The parties also recognized the importance of strengthening, consolidating and updating mechanisms that would further promote a rapprochement between Mexico and Russia. It is time to set new priorities and derive even higher benefits from our cooperation.

It is not enough just to smooth out the differences between our countries. We have to focus on the important issues where our interests coincide. Mexico and Russia are cooperating in the areas of political dialogue, economic analysis, investment, trade, culture and education.

However, we favor the establishment of new links that would involve new actors, such as civil society representatives, in the bilateral dialogue. To this end, we could take advantage of several innovative tools, namely public diplomacy.

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Since it is the peoples of both countries who will eventually benefit from these bilateral relations, we should strengthen ties between the Russian and Mexican societies. The involvement of other actors who will give new substance to bilateral relations is another vital issue that requires the participation of regional authorities and the business community – the two main participants in economic and trade relations. Increased trade between Mexican and Russian regions will undoubtedly promote the development of bilateral relations.

We realize that the development of relations is likely to encounter many difficulties. However, by sharing common interests and acting together to resolve regional and international issues, we can achieve great success. That is why today is the perfect time to reassess the strategy of Mexico-Russia rapprochement.

Also, it's time to reconsider some of the concepts. Mexico is geographically located in North America, but it is also part of Latin America. Mexico is living in a new environment. 2014 has become a year of structural reforms. In just twenty months, 11 reforms were conducted, aimed at transforming the country, including energy sector reform, which opens up many new possibilities. In this regard, it is quite noteworthy that at the Economic Forum in Davos in January 2013, the Russian firm Lukoil became the first foreign company with which our Pemex signed a memorandum of understanding.

Mexico's economy is undoubtedly becoming more open and competitive. Our proximity to the United States opens opportunities for our partners: thanks to the free trade agreements that Mexico has signed with 44 countries, we have access to markets reaching populations of a total of 1.2 billion people. 2013 was a record year for Mexico in terms of attracting foreign investment ($38 billion). Therefore, Russian companies can take advantage of this and gain access to these markets by launching production in Mexico.

On the other hand, Mexico is investing in Russia too. Important ongoing projects include, for example, the Maseca group planning to build a plant in Russia, the construction of a new engine plant in Ulyanovsk, which began this year, and projects in the petrochemical industry.

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Prospects for cooperation in other spheres look quite promising as well. Mexico has supported many Russian initiatives and is constantly looking for common ground. The positions of Mexico and Russia on key issues coincide. For example, both countries are working on the reform of the UN Security Council, and Mexico supports the expansion of the Security Council. In addition, Mexico attaches great importance to disarmament issues and the signing of an Arms Trade Treaty. This is a vivid example of spheres in which our two countries can cooperate. Russia, for its part, is carrying out an important work on a draft treaty to ban the deployment of weapons in space. This provides an opportunity for our two countries’ cooperation.

As for other issues, we cannot but state that there have been great changes in Mexico. Today, Mexico is exporting not only raw materials but industrial products too. Mexico accounts for 33 per cent of the total volume of Latin American exports and is the fourteenth largest exporter in the world. Tourism development, security, migration, small and medium businesses, civil society, entrepreneurial activity, and business associations are spheres that our both countries should give consideration to.

Mexico and Russia are also interacting at various venues, including the WTO. Both countries should continue to cooperate within the framework of the Organization to combat protectionism and customs barriers.

Mexico is building a new relationship with Latin American countries and with other countries of the world. This offers a unique opportunity to develop cooperation with Russia.

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However, certain topics tend to escape attention. For example, the fact that in 2000, Mexico became a full-fledged democracy is sometimes overlooked, though it should be born in mind. It should be remembered that it was Mexico that launched an initiative to create the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) at the summit of heads of states and governments of the region in 2010. Mexico headed this process, driven by its belief in the benefits of developing a dialogue between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

I would like to conclude by stating that there are ample opportunities for renewing and developing our bilateral relations. There is no doubt that in the coming months and years, we will definitely witness a resetting of relations between Mexico and Russia. Many new participants in the dialogue will make their own contributions to implementing joint efforts in life, because diplomacy in the modern world goes beyond aspirations in the capitals, and has become integrated, which requires the involvement and cooperation of all actors.

The moment has arrived to use the shared views and positive changes for the common good and strengthen the historical ties between our countries.