Egypt–Mexico relations

Egypt-Mexico relations

Egypt
Mexico

Egypt–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Egypt and Mexico.

History

In 1905, Mexico opened a consulate in the port city of Alexandria to assist Mexican ships which stopped in the city before or after traveling through the Suez Canal. In 1922, Egypt obtained independence from the United Kingdom and diplomatic relations between Egypt and Mexico were established on 31 March 1958. In 1960 both nations opened a resident embassy in each other's capitals, respectively.[1][2] Since then, relations between both nations have mostly been based on mutual respect and cooperation on international issues at the United Nations. In 1975, Mexican President Luis Echeverría paid an official visit to Egypt and in 1981, President José López Portillo also visited Egypt.[2]

Both countries regularly provide cultural exhibitions in each other's countries and in 1996, both nations established the Egyptian-Mexican Association for Egyptology.[3][4] In 2008, both nations celebrated 50 years since establishing diplomatic relations.[5] On September 13, 2015 a group of 14 Mexican tourists were mistakenly attacked by Egyptian Security Forces while they were on holiday in Egypt's Western Desert. Egyptian officials said security forces mistook the tourists for terrorists. During the attack, eight Mexican nationals were killed and six were injured. Mexico's government condemned the incident, calling for an exhaustive investigation of the incident. Mexico's Foreign Minister, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, stated that they will not sever diplomatic relations with Egypt.[6]

State visits

Presidential visits from Mexico to Egypt

As of yet, no Egyptian President has paid a visit to Mexico.

Bilateral agreements

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Cultural Exchanges (1960); Trade Agreement (1963); Agreement on Economic Cooperation (1984); Agreement on Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (1987) and an Agreement on Educational Cooperation (1987).[7]

Trade relations

In 2017, total trade between Egypt and Mexico totaled $123.4 million USD.[8] Egypt's main exports to Mexico include: urea, car parts, cotton and textiles. Mexico's main exports to Egypt include: gas and oil casing tubes, metal cylinders, sesame seeds and alcohol (tequila)[8] Egypt is Mexico's third biggest trading partner in Africa.[5] Mexican multinational companies such as Cemex, Gruma, KidZania, Rotoplas and Sukarne operate in Egypt.[9].[10]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

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