Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON SIGNING OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND MEXICO
Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the Foreign Minister of Mexico, Mrs Rosario Green, in New York last night.
The agreement, which is intended to strengthen cooperation in the political, economic, technical-scientific, educational and cultural fields, was described by Minister Nzo as "an important landmark in the relations between the two countries."
The Ministers reaffirmed their like-minded positions on nuclear disarmament, landmines and the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and pledged to continue their close cooperation on these issues in the various multilateral fora. The Ministers also made particular reference to the need to continue the fight against the scourge of narcotics trafficking and welcomed the clause in the agreement which commits both countries to strengthen their cooperation in this regard. The Ministers recalled the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Drugs which took place in New York in June 1998 at which both countries pledged their support to the United Nations' comprehensive strategy on drugs, which was adopted by the General Assembly.
Mexico, with a population of 94 million, is the largest economy in Central America as well as being an important member of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) together with the United States of America and Canada. Trade between South Africa and Mexico has grown substantially in recent years with two-way trade totalling R480 million in 1997.
Minister Nzo welcomed the news that Foreign Minister Green intended visiting South Africa in early 1999 and also looked forward to the visits by the Mexican Ministers of Energy and Health before the end of the year. These will follow recent visits to Mexico by Deputy President Mbeki, Foreign Minister Nzo, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alec Erwin and Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 24 SEPTEMBER 1998