EC/Mexico Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement

The Council reviewed the main points still outstanding as regards negotiating directives for a new agreement with Mexico. These included the precise framing of the objective of the agreement and the procedures for implementing that objective. It should be noted that the negotiation of a new political, economic and trade agreement comes in response to the joint solemn declaration signed by the EU and Mexico in Paris on 2 March 1995 and the Madrid European Council conclusions calling, in addition to a political dialogue, in particular for the progressive, reciprocal liberalization of trade in goods and services and of investment, having due regard to the sensitiveness of certain products and in accordance with relevant WTO rules. At the end of discussions, the Council instructed the Permanent Representatives Committee to take the matter forward in the light of today's discussions and with the intention of coming to a conclusion at the earliest opportunity.�