1. During his visit to New York for the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong held a meeting with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States Marcelo Ebrard on September 24. The two sides extensively discussed bilateral relations, ways to expand substantive cooperation and major regional issues.

2. Minister Chung noted that both countries have continued to develop their strategic partnership since 2005, and that Mexico is Korea’s key cooperation and largest trading partner* in Latin America. Furthermore, Minister Chung extended congratulations on the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence this year.

* Mexico is Korea's 10th largest export destination (8.2 billion dollars in exports and 6.4 billion dollars in imports in 2020), Korea is Mexico's fourth largest trading partner / around 400 Korean companies and 15,000 Korean residents in Mexico

° Secretary Ebrard expressed his satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and hoped to increase mutual exchanges and understanding in the year 2022 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries through cultural events* and to promote high-level exchanges.

* The two countries will use the commemorative logo for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and promote cultural events such as Korea’s participation in the International Cervantino Festival 2022 as a guest country and the exhibition of artifacts of Aztec in Korea.

3. Minister Chung reiterated Korea’s interest in an early resumption of negotiations for the bilateral FTA between Korea and Mexico, Korea’s accession to the Pacific Alliance (PA) as an associate state and modernization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty in order to continuously expand trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. In addition, Minister Chung asked Secretary Ebrard for his interest in and support for Korean companies’ continued participation in infrastructure projects including solar energy generation in Mexico, following the participation of Korean companies in the Dos Bocas refinery project.  

° Secretary Ebrard welcomed increased Korean investment in Mexico, and in particular, hoped to see more Korean investment in new technology sectors including semiconductors, hydrogen, electric vehicles and biotechnology. Moreover, Secretary Ebrard requested cooperation for continued Korea’s Knowledge Sharing Program and expansion of exports of agricultural products of Mexico to Korea. 

4. The two sides agreed to pursue the signing of an agreement on cooperation in the field of public health for disease prevention and response. In particular, Secretary Ebrard hoped that Korean companies would participate in pharmaceutical procurement market of Mexico. 

° Minister Chung noted the contract for Mexico’s purchase of anticancer drugs from a Korean company, and expected that various Korean medicines will be exported to Mexico.

5. The two sides shared the view that the economic and social development of Central America is essential to address the root causes of migration from Central America, noted with appreciation Korea’s pledge to increase its financial commitment* to development cooperation in the Central America's Northern Triangle countries, as well as Mexico’s Sembrando Vida program which plants fruit trees on a large scale in Central America, and discussed ways to cooperate.

° Furthermore, the two sides discussed extending triangular cooperation such as sustainable agroforestry project in the field of development cooperation in order to create jobs and respond to climate change.

*The pledge to increase its financial commitment to development cooperation in the Northern Triangle countries to $220 million for the 2021-2024 period.

6. Minister Chung expressed his gratitude for the continued support for the Korean Peninsula peace process shown by Mexico, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2021-2022 term) and a member of MIKTA. Secretary Ebrard reaffirmed the continued support for the Korean government’s efforts for the Korean Peninsula peace process.