Egypt–Mexico relations
Egypt |
Mexico |
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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
- President Luis Echeverría (1975)
- President José López Portillo (1981)
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
- Egypt has an embassy in Mexico City.[11]
- Mexico has an embassy in Cairo.[12]
See also
References
- ^ Embassy of Mexico on diplomatic relations between Mexico and Egypt (in Spanish)
- ^ a b Bilateral relations between Mexico and Egypt (in Spanish)
- ^ Las milenarias civilizaciones de Egipto y México, unidas por Isis y Quetzalcóatl (in Spanish)
- ^ Celebrating the 12th Anniversary of establishing the Egyptian Mexican society for Egyptology
- ^ a b Medio Oriente. Una ventana de oportunidad para México (in Spanish)
- ^ 8 Mexican tourists, mistaken for terrorists, killed in Egypt
- ^ Treinta y un años de relaciones diplomáticas y ochenta y cuatro años de relaciones consulares entre México y Egipto (in Spanish)
- ^ a b Mexican Ministry of Economy: Egypt (in Spanish)
- ^ Estas son las Empresas Mexicanas Pioneras en África (in Spanish)
- ^ Mexican investment in Egypt (in Spanish)
- ^ Embassy of Egypt in Mexico City (in Arabic and Spanish)
- ^ Embassy of Mexico in Cairo (in Arabic and Spanish)