EU–Mexico Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement

The European Parliament adopted by 479 votes to 119, with 65 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

The modernisation of the existing EU-Mexico Global Agreement revolves around two legal instruments:

1. The present Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement (Modernised Global Agreement (MGA)), which will include a) the political and cooperation pillar and b) the trade and investment pillar (inclusive of investment protection provisions); and

2. The Interim Agreement on Trade (ITA) covering trade and investment liberalisation.

The MGA broadens the scope of the current bilateral framework and adjusts it to the new global political and economic challenges, to the new reality of the EU-Mexico partnership and to the level of ambition of recently concluded agreements and negotiations conducted by the EU and Mexico.

The MGA creates a coherent, comprehensive, up-to-date and legally binding framework for the EU’s relations with Mexico. Under this agreement, parties undertakes to establish a strengthened strategic partnership, reinforce political dialogue and deepen and enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest. At the same time, the MGA will foster trade and investment by contributing to the expansion and diversification of economic and trade relations.

The MGA is divided into four parts. The objectives and general principles of the Agreement are outlined in Part I (General Provisions). Respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for the principle of the rule of law, and the clause on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction constitute essential elements of the MGA.

In Part II (Political Dialogue and Cooperation), the EU and Mexico commit to deepening dialogue and cooperation in the following areas:

- political dialogue, international peace and security,

- international and regional organisations,

- freedom, security and justice,

- sustainable development,

- environment, climate change and energy,

- agriculture, maritime affairs and fisheries,

- economic policy,

- education, culture and social issues,

- research, innovation and digital economy.

In Part III (Trade and Investment), the MGA will aim to achieve the following goals:

- ensure significant market access for agricultural and fisheries exports and to improve regulations,

- simplify the rules of origin,

- modernise and simplify border procedures,

- ensure fair trade and business conditions,

- enhance trade and investment in critical raw materials,

- ensure sustainability and gender equality,

- focus on the needs of smaller businesses,

- encourage investment,

- ensure transparent and accountable resolution of disputes through an investment court system,

- provide access to Mexican public tenders,

- establish better protection for innovations and creations,

- ensure transparency and good regulatory practices

The institutional structure of the relations is set out in Part IV. Part IV builds on existing arrangements and incorporates the EU-Mexico Summit as the highest political level of dialogue. The institutional structure is composed of a Joint Council, which oversees the fulfilment of the MGA’s objectives and supervises its implementation, and a Joint Committee, which assists the Joint Council in the performance of its duties and will be responsible for the general implementation of the MGA.