Events Brussels, 20 May 2019

The European Commission is organising a stakeholder event to discuss the benefits of the modernisation of the trade part of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement.

The lead negotiators from the EU and Mexico will outline the main advantages the improved rules, common values and opportunities enshrined in the modernised agreement bring:

• Helena König, Deputy Director-General, Trade Directorate-General, European Commission
• Luz María de la Mora Sánchez, Undersecretary of International Trade of Mexico

European and Mexican business representatives will then look at specific aspects such as investment, Geographical Indications, Intellectual Property Rights, industrial sector-related issues (for example in the automotive field), and trade and sustainable development (environment and labour).

Background

In 1997 Mexico was the first country in Latin America to sign an Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. This ‘Global Agreement’ came into force in 2000. Its trade provisions were later developed into a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, covering trade in goods and trade in services. The two parts entered into force in October 2000 and 2001 respectively.

To realise the full potential of their bilateral relations and help meet current global challenges, in 2016 the EU and Mexico decided to update the Global Agreement. They reached an ‘Agreement in principle’ at ministerial level on the trade part of a modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement on 21 April 2018. The new trade agreement promotes a rules- and values-based trade policy, including strong and clear commitments on human rights, sustainable development and the fight against corruption.

Practical information

• When: 20 May 2019 from 15:30 till 18:00
• Where: Madou Auditorium, Tour Madou, Place Madou 1210 - Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode
• Registration: please register by 10 May.
• More on the EU-Mexico trade agreement