JOINT PRESS RELEASE

During a ceremony held in Paris on 2 May 1995 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the draft joint solemn declaration by the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, on the one hand, and the United Mexican States, on the other hand, (the text of which is given below) was signed

for the Council of the European Union by:

Mr Alain JUPPE Minister for Foreign Affairs of

the French Republic,

President-in-Office of the Council

for the European Commission by:

Mr Manuel MARÍN Vice­President of the Commission

for the United Mexican States by:

Mr José Angel GURRÍA Minister for Foreign Affairs of

the United Mexican States

"The Parties,

mindful of their historical ties and convinced that relations established by the Framework Agreement for Cooperation in force should be strengthened and extended by a new agreement which will further contribute to development and stability,

have decided to provide their mutual relations with a long­term perspective.

1. Common objectives

The Parties solemnly reaffirm their determination to continue to strengthen their cooperation. In accordance with their common values and in strict observance of the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter, they will work with a particular view to:

- supporting democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and individual freedoms;

- safeguarding peace and promoting international security, in particular by cooperating with other nations against aggression, all forms of coercion and violence, and contributing to the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts in the world by strengthening the role of the United Nations;

- implementing policies designed to lead to a healthy world economy characterized by sustained economic growth with reduced inflation, a high level of employment, equitable social conditions and a stable international financial system;

- promoting market principles, pushing back protectionism, implementing and consolidating multilateralism, in particular by applying the principles of the new World Trade Organization and the OECD.

2. New political, commercial and economic agreement

Bearing in mind the conclusions adopted by the Council of the European Union on 10 April 1995, further to the communication entitled "Towards closer relations between the European Union and Mexico", both parties are agreed that the conclusion of a new political, commercial and economic agreement would be the means of bringing about closer relations between the European Union and Mexico that would be most in accordance with their common interests. Such an agreement would include in particular:

(a) intensified political dialogue on matters of common interest and close consultation within international bodies.

This concertation will take the form of meetings at various levels, including meetings at the highest levels, between Mexico and the European Union in accordance with procedures to be determined by those parties;

(b) a framework to encourage the development of trade in goods, services and investment, including progressive and reciprocal liberalization, taking account of the sensitive nature of certain products and in accordance with the relevant WTO rules. 

Both parties will in any case ensure that the conditions of real access to their respective markets are maintained;

(c) intensifying cooperation by means of:

- strengthened programmes to support closer contacts between both parties' undertakings and the development of environmental, industrial (information and telecommunications technology) and scientific and technical cooperation;

- the opportunity for Mexico to participate in certain European cooperation projects and programmes;

- the conclusion of specific agreements in various areas: the fight against fraud, administrative cooperation, rules of origin, etc.

In this context, the parties urge the EIB to intensify its activity in Mexico while complying with its procedures and financing criteria.

3. In order to achieve these objectives, the parties undertake to complete the consultations and internal procedures required for the negotiation of the Agreement to begin."