Joint statement by John Key and Enrique Pena Nieto after their Mexico City bilateral

  1. In the context of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and New Zealand, New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key undertook an Official Visit to Mexico on 4 and 5 March 2013. This was the first Head of Government visit received by President Enrique Pena Nieto since he took office. During their meeting, the Leaders of Mexico and New Zealand confirmed the excellent level of understanding achieved and expressed their willingness to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between the two countries. Prime Minister Key invited President Peña Nieto to visit New Zealand. Both Leaders highlighted the importance to their governments of the Asia-Pacific region and agreed to focus on priority areas of mutual interest including: promoting increased trade and economic links, including investment; and working together in regional economic partnership initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
  2. President Peña Nieto thanked Prime Minister Key for New Zealand’s support for Mexico’s joining the negotiation process for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Leaders welcomed the growing flow of trade and investment but noted that there were opportunities to increase these further, given the complementarity of the economies.  The participation of both Mexico and New Zealand in the TPP will create new opportunities for business, to the benefit of both countries. Both Leaders underlined their commitment to concluding a high quality TPP in 2013 that comprehensively liberalises trade and investment, consistent with the objectives and statements agreed by TPP Leaders and Ministers in 2011.  They encouraged negotiators to make further progress that reflect these goals at Round 16 of negotiations this month.  The President and Prime Minister welcomed the contribution TPP would make to regional economic integration and agreed that the conclusion and implementation of an ambitious agreement would boost trade, employment and growth in Mexico and New Zealand.
  3. The President and the Prime Minister agreed to promote the deepening of bilateral economic relations and two-way investment. They highlighted areas where the private sectors might explore mutually beneficial cooperation, such as: agribusiness; agri-technology; textiles; viticulture; auto parts; the iron and steel industry; renewable energy and energy efficiency; telecommunications;  innovation; aeronautics, robotics; nanotechnology; and creative industries. The business mission accompanying Prime Minister Key had established useful contacts with their Mexican counterparts. Both parties agreed on the importance of a business mission visiting New Zealand soon to continue this interaction.
  4. President Peña Nieto congratulated New Zealand for its achievements in the areas of transparency, institution-building, and competitiveness. Both Leaders agreed to share experiences of best practice in those areas to complement joint participation in relevant APEC and OECD work streams.
  5. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent between the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of New Zealand for the Innovation and Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. This document constitutes a general framework to contribute to the exchange of information and experiences on public policy to support businesses to grow to create a more productive and competitive economy.
  6. The Leaders agreed to promote the Working Holiday Scheme, which allows people from Mexico and New Zealand to study and/or work in the other country for one year. They recognised that the Scheme broadens the horizons of the young people who participate in the programme and benefits the bilateral relationship by contributing to greater understanding of both countries.
  7. Parliamentary links were recognised as another solid tool for strengthening the bilateral relationship and the Leaders stated their shared interest in promoting such contacts.
  8. Prime Minister Key thanked Mexico for its support for New Zealand’s observer status in the Pacific Alliance and for New Zealand’s United Nations Security Council candidacy.  The Leaders confirmed their commitment to continuing the strong cooperation between the two countries in multilateral initiatives. The Leaders also referred to the excellent cooperation between the two governments on international issues of mutual concern particularly around climate change, disarmament, progress in negotiations towards the early adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty, and human rights.  They also referred to the positive outcomes of bilateral development cooperation and the possibility of collaboration projects with third countries.
  9. President Peña Nieto and Prime Minister Key reiterated their desire to further strengthen the close partnership between their two countries, to benefit fully from the strong potential of such links in the Asia-Pacific region.

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