Background
In 2010 Mexico will commemorate the bicentennial of its Independence and the centennial of its Revolution, as well as the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the European Union and the 10th Anniversary of the Mexico-EU Global Agreement. Furthermore, the Center for Mexican Studies of the University of Antwerp will also celebrate its twentieth Anniversary.
Mexico-EU Relations
With nearly 500 million inhabitants, the European Union has the third largest population in the world after China and India. Its size and importance, in commercial, economic and financial terms, make it a world power that absorbs the largest share of international trade and generates one quarter of the world's wealth.
As far as Mexico is concerned, the country has the second largest population in Latin America after Brazil, with approximately 105 millions inhabitants (2004 est.). It is the third largest country of the region and, in comparison with the EU, its area is about half the territory of the European Union -25. Mexico has the largest GDP and the highest GDP per capita in Latin American, and is also a member of NAFTA, the OECD, apart from being the Latin American country with the highest rates of FDI.
Mexico and the European Union enjoy long-term diplomatic relations. Since they were established in 1960, they have been characterized by strong historical and cultural links and by a dynamic evolution.
In fact, the first Framework Cooperation Agreement between Mexico and the then European Economic Community dates back to 1975. The aim of that instrument was to promote the strengthening of trade relations between both parts.
During the eighties, with the aim of reviewing the 1975 Agreement, Mexico increased its bilateral contacts with European Union countries. That process culminated the 26th of April 1991 with the signature in Luxembourg of the Framework Agreement for Trade, Economic, Scientific-Technical and Financial Cooperation.
This renewed interest in establishing a new relationship on stronger bases was concretized on 2 May 1995, by formalizing a Solemn Joint Declaration, in which Mexico and the European Union expressed their willingness to intensify political and economic relations and promote cooperation.
From that moment on, there were negotiations that resulted in the signing, on the 8th of December 1997, of the Global Agreement, the Interim Agreement and the Final Act, documents that set up the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between Mexico and the European Union. The agreement came into force in October 2000. Recently, bilateral relations have been strengthened when the EU granted Mexico the status of "strategic partner" to establish a closer dialogue on global issues of mutual interest.
(Read more about this topic on DG RELEX-Mexico)
Bilateral cooperation between Mexico and Belgium
With regard to bilateral cooperation, the Mexican government has a long history of collaboration with the Flemish Community. In the field of education, this relation has been manifested with the creation of the Center for Mexican Studies and the Exchange Scholarship Program. For over 10 years, both parts have been awarding 10 postgraduate scholarships per academic year, including master’s degrees, doctorates, medical specialties, postgraduate and postdoctoral research (click here to read more about this program-information in spanish).
With the French Community of Belgium, Mexican authorities have made great commitments, especially during the visit to Mexico of former Minister of Higher Education, Marie Dominique Simonet, in September 2008. The visit has resulted in a Cooperation Agreement signed between the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the University of Liege; the University of Liege and UNAM, and UNAM and ULB. Both parts also have signed an Agreement for scholarships focused on specialization studies and postgraduate visits. The first call of this program was published in April 2009, and a second call is about to be launched. Finally, the possibility of signing a cooperation agreement between CONACYT and the FNRS is being evaluated.
Moreover, during her visit to Mexico, ex Minister of Higher Education of the French Community invited the Ministry of Public Education to participate, on behalf of Mexico, as an observer to the Bologna Process Meeting in April 2009.
Furthermore, the Embassy of Mexico has established a very active relationship with Belgian universities. Ambassador Sandra Fuentes-Berain has met almost all Belgian rectors and she has visited or given lectures at the Universities of Liege, Ghent, Antwerp, the ULB (Free University of Brussels), the Catholic University of Leuven and the College of Europe. The Embassy also actively participates to the "informative sessions" about scholarship programs at the Catholic University of Leuven, Antwerp and Ghent. The Embassy has also contacted the United Nations University, based in Bruges, to explore possibilities for cooperation and exchange of researchers between UNU-CRIS and the Diplomatic Academy of Mexico "Instituto Matías Romero".
Besides, the Embassy of Mexico has established an individual program with each Belgian university to promote agreements with Mexican universities and mobility for students and teachers.