Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray concluded a two-day visit to Paris, France on Tuesday after meeting with Audrey Azouley, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and meeting for the second consecutive day with Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The meetings reflect the excellent state of the political dialogue and the strategic value of the relationship to both nations.
During his meeting with the UNESCO Director General, Foreign Secretary Videgaray reiterated Mexico's support for the organization and its defense of multilateralism. He also thanked UNESCO for its support after last September's earthquakes.
The two officials signed an agreement to establish a Regional Center for Water Security (CERSHI) in Mexico under the auspices of UNESCO to help improve water security given the hydro-meteorological risks in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Later, after his meeting with Minister Le Drian, the Foreign Secretary said that Mexico and France "are becoming closer and this leads us naturally to turn the relationship into a true partnership. A partnership in which we share principles, share values, and have common strategies in the bilateral and multilateral spheres."
Foreign Secretary Videgaray highlighted the value of the work done by the Franco-Mexican Strategic Council (CEFM), which makes recommendations on ways to improve the bilateral relationship. He said that because of the council, real progress has been made in combating climate change and on the issues of the environment, entrepreneurship, the digital economy, health, culture, education and science.
Regarding his meeting last Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Secretary said, "He spoke very favorably about the council's work. It will continue to put emphasis on specific projects. The council wants to go beyond rhetoric, speeches and good wishes and take concrete action, and it has been able to do this."
In addition, the Foreign Secretary thanked President Macron and his government for supporting Mexico during the renegotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union. "The agreement reflects our shared belief in an open world and in free trade that resists the protectionist tendencies present today in some regions of our planet. We hope that the agreement can be concluded in the coming weeks," he said, recalling that another round of trade negotiations is underway at this time.
Lastly, Foreign Secretary Videgaray gave a talk on "Mexico in the World: Challenges and Prospects" at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), one of the most prestigious academic entities for Political and Social Sciences in the world. He discussed Mexico's strengths in the global environment and the value and importance of the new Mexico-France partnership. He also met with Enrico Letta, Dean of the Sciences Po School of International Affairs.
Foreign Secretary Videgaray's visit to Paris reaffirms the shared interest of Mexico and France in building a partnership that enables them to plan joint bilateral, regional and international actions and to respond jointly to the most important international challenges.