EU/Mexico relations: closer relations

In its communication to the Council and the European Parliament, the Commission examines how the Community could achieve closer relations with Mexico. The Commission starts by defining the main strategic implications of these relations, recent developments in Mexico and its place on the international stage. It then goes on to detail specific measures which could be taken in order to achieve closer relations. The Commission considers that the only way to do justice to the mutual interests of the Union and Mexico is to conclude an agreement governing economic partnership and political dialogue, the objective of which would be to implement stronger cooperation between the EC and Mexico on the basis of a fair and mutually supportive partnership in the economic, political and commercial sectors. This agreement would need to take account of the Community's international obligations vis-α-vis the WTO and would include three main strands: - political strand: dialogue based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, good management of public affairs and the rule of law would form the basis of overall relations between the parties. Bilateral meetings (EU-Mexico) would therefore be arranged at the highest level (president, ministers etc); - economic strand: as far as economic and commercial relations are concerned, the agreement should make express provision for the gradual and mutual liberalisation of all trade (taking account of the sensitivity of certain products). A special protocol would need to make provision to combat fraud, provide reciprocal administrative assistance in the customs sector and for rules of origin. Particular attention would need to be paid to the gradual and mutual liberalisation of investment terms and regulations governing goods and services; - cooperation strand: cooperation would be achieved by reinforcing programmes to bring companies together and cooperation between administrations, implementing projects to promote the transfer of European environmental know-how and developing cooperation in science and education. In addition, Mexico could take part in certain European industrial, cultural, R&D, information technology and telecommunications cooperation projects. Finally, specific areas of cooperation could be developed, such as statistics, customs, competition, indirect taxation, standards and energy. The Commission will propose a draft directive for negotiating this new agreement during the course of 1995.�