September 30, 2005
Vancouver, British Columbia

The President of the United Mexican States, H.E. Vicente Fox Quesada, and the Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt Hon. Paul Martin, met today in Vancouver. On this occasion, they reviewed the bilateral relationship, as well as North American, hemispheric and global issues.

Bilateral Issues

Leaders emphasized the vitality and breadth of bilateral engagement, as highlighted in Canada's recent International Policy Statement. In this regard, they welcomed the first Report to Leaders detailing the accomplishments of the Canada-Mexico Partnership, which was signed during the President’s visit to Ottawa in October of 2004. Leaders urged the Partnership's working groups to pursue efforts to enhance the competitiveness of both countries; to increase student mobility and promote academic and scientific exchanges; to ensure that the infrastructure of our cities is more sustainable; to improve access to housing; and to initiate work in agribusiness.

Both Leaders noted that Canada-Mexico commerce has increased significantly since the NAFTA entered into force and that Mexico and Canada are now among each other’s largest trading partners. Leaders encouraged Mexican and Canadian businesspeople to build on this success and seek out new opportunities; President Fox’s visit in Alberta underscores the importance of the energy sector to both our countries.

The Leaders agreed that people-to-people linkages provide the bedrock for the relationship: the flows of students, tourists, business people, and artists all contribute to forging a common understanding. They highlighted the success of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program and reaffirmed their desire to maximize its benefits to both countries.

Leaders noted with satisfaction the recent visit to Mexico City of the Canadian Minister of National Defence and the invitation made to his counterpart, the Mexican Secretary of Defence, to visit Canada. These visits will promote information exchange and dialogue in support of bilateral cooperation.

North America

Together with senior members of both business communities, Leaders had occasion to explore the challenges posed by increased global competition and the opportunities for increased North American competitiveness. Leaders agreed that NAFTA continues to serve all three countries well and that its institutions and procedures must be strengthened, not weakened. In looking to the future, the Leaders agreed that the NAFTA will continue to allow North America to address challenges and opportunities from new and emerging markets.

Leaders took note of advances made under the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and agreed that it promotes and enhances competitiveness, quality of life and security through collaboration among all three countries in North America.

Leaders took stock of Mexican and Canadian humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in the United States in the wake of hurricane Katrina and noted the need for coordinated action to ensure that our countries are prepared to respond to any future disasters.

Hemispheric Issues

Recalling that Mexico and Canada have both played host to recent Summits of the Americas, Leaders exchanged views on hemispheric questions in advance of the Mar del Plata Summit to be held in Argentina in November of this year. They notably expressed their commitment to assist Haiti in its forthcoming electoral process and to ensure that indigenous issues are advanced in the Summit context. They agreed that the Free Trade Area of the Americas is an important element of the broader Summit of the Americas process and a vital instrument for promoting economic growth and job creation in the region.

Global Issues

Building on discussions held recently on the margins of this year’s United Nations Summit, Leaders noted the many points of convergence between Mexico and Canada as they seek to move the overall UN reform process forward. Recognizing active cooperation within the Group of Friends of UN Reform initiated by President Fox, Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council are established and both Leaders agreed to work together to ensure that the Summit results regarding Responsibility to Protect are taken forward by the international community.

Both Leaders agreed that election is the best way to ensure an effective, representative, transparent and accountable Security Council.

Leaders emphasized the importance of urgent international action on climate change and agreed to cooperate closely in the context of the next UN Climate Change Conference, to be hosted by Canada in Montreal in November 2005.

Mexico welcomed Canada's decision to host an international meeting of Ministers of Health of 30 countries, as well as concerned international agencies involved in pandemic preparedness, in Ottawa in October 2005. Leaders agreed on the critical importance of advancing a global response to the threat of Avian Influenza in particular.

Finally, Leaders congratulated the delegations of both countries for the outcome of the Canada-Mexico Partnership meetings and the Partnership’s contribution to the betterment of Mexicans and Canadians.

Vancouver 30 September 2005


Canada-Mexico Partnership