FOREIGN SECRETARY JOSE ANTONIO MEADE MEETS WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC AMBASSADORS IN MEXICO

Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade met this afternoon with the thirteen ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific region in Mexico: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

During a working lunch in the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Secretary Meade commented on the growing economic and financial weight of Asia. He stressed Mexico's interest in strengthening bilateral relations with these countries, and in expanding its presence in the region. The participants exchanged views on the challenges to strengthening the political, economic and cooperative ties between the countries and they reviewed the main regional and international issues.

Foreign Secretary Meade stressed the stability and soundness of the Mexican economy and the access it provides to many markets around the world, thanks to its network of free trade agreements. He emphasized the importance of seeking more coordination between the public and private sectors to boost trade, tourism and investment in priority sectors such as infrastructure.

Lastly, the Foreign Secretary invited the diplomats to maintain a direct and open dialogue in order to find opportunities for cooperation and to exchange experiences on best practices. He also urged them to take advantage of areas of agreement in the multilateral arena in order to give impetus to issues of common interest on the global agenda, such as combating climate change, development, poverty reduction and the creation of quality jobs, among others.