Arturo Sanchez Jimenez
Newspaper La Jornada
Friday, November 18, 2022, p. 8
The Secretary of Foreign Relations, Marcelo Ebrard, announced yesterday the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement between Mexico and Turkey.
When starting a work tour in the Turkish capital, Ankara, with the aim of strengthening the relationship between Mexico and that country in the political, economic, commercial, educational and cultural spheres, Ebrard had a private meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister , Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in which they commented on aspects of the bilateral relationship and on international affairs.
They reiterated their commitment to continue deepening and expanding the bilateral strategic association. They highlighted the commercial and investment opportunities, as well as air connectivity, which has fostered the exchange of goods and people, and increased the tourist flow between both countries, according to a statement.
The secretaries adopted a joint declaration, in which it is indicated that in economic matters, bilateral commercial exchanges are expected to exceed 2 billion dollars for the first time at the end of the year.
The document adds that the ministers agreed to organize the second meeting of the Mexico-Turkey Economic Commission as soon as possible, in order to carry out a comprehensive review of the economic relationship and identify the steps to follow to further increase mutual trade and investment, as well as the possible resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement
.
The Mexican foreign minister assured that there are many fields of common work: migration, culture, investment, working together for development initiatives. Mexico sees all of this very favorably, including the free trade treaty or agreement that we can have between the two economies, it is good for both countries
.
Subsequently, both foreign ministers chaired their respective committees at a meeting of the Mexico-Turkey High-Level Binational Commission. The officials spoke about political, economic and commercial issues, justice and domestic policy, as well as culture, education, science and development related to the bilateral relationship. They reaffirmed the central role of the Mexico-Turkey High Level Binational Commission as the main mechanism for strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
Secretary Ebrard announced that the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship of the Mexican Navy will arrive in Istanbul for the commemoration of the Centennial of the Foundation of the Republic of Turkey, which will be held on October 29, 2023.
