ISLAMABAD: Mexico is reopening its embassy in Islamabad after a break of about six years as the Latin American country seeks to reinvigorate its ties with Pakistan.

Mexico’s Ambassador to Iran Ulesis Canchola, who is also accredited to Pakistan, in a meeting with Chairman of National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee Awais Leghari said: “Mexico was in middle of the process to reopen its embassy in Islamabad which closed in 2009 owing to financial restraints.”

Ambassador Canchola, who was accompanied by Mexico’s Trade and Investment Officer for the Middle East Mr Juan Antonio Cepeda Gutiérrez, said Pakistan enjoyed an important place in Mexico’s foreign policy. Therefore, he said, Mexico was desirous of renewing ties with Pakistan as part of its effort to broaden relations with South and Central Asian countries.

The existing legal bilateral framework between Pakistan and Mexico is based on six mutual agreements and three MoUs in different areas of economic and diplomatic cooperation.

Mr Leghari said Pakistan too was looking to boost its trade relations with Latin America, Africa and Far East countries.

Pakistan, Mr Leghari said, was keen to cooperate with like-minded nations at multilateral fora.

Pakistan-Mexico bilateral trade volume is about USD $181 million. Mexico’s mainly imports textiles, long grain rice and cotton from Pakistan while its exports to Pakistan include plastic industrial tubes and automotive parts.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2015

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