Events

MINSK, 17 March (BelTA) – Belarus and Mexico confirm their commitment to advancing all-round cooperation. The sides made the relevant statements during the opening ceremony of the honorary consulate of the United Mexican States in Belarus on 17 March, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Shestakov said he hopes that Belarusian-Mexican relations will be spurred by the opening of the honorary consulate. He pointed out that Belarusian-Mexican relations have been pretty relaxed so far due to the absence of Mexican diplomatic missions in Belarus and Belarusian missions in Mexico. “The opening of the honorary consulate is supposed to enable conditions conducive to more intensive political, humanitarian, trade, and economic contacts,” said Yevgeny Shestakov.

“There are no problems in Belarus-Mexico relations. We understand each other very well. Although we speak different languages, our interaction is perfectly shaped. I think the next year will demonstrate how our relations advance,” noted the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“We hope that Belarusian-Mexican cooperation will grow stronger at all levels ranging from the top one to the humanitarian one and people’s diplomacy,” said the official.

Yevgeny Shestakov pointed out that any presence of a foreign nation is not a one-sided process. “Duties of the honorary consul will include providing trade and economic information to Mexican consumers and partners and raising the Mexican nation’s awareness about Belarusian culture and arts. Efforts to develop Belarus’ tourism export will be exercised,” said the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking about Mexico, the official underlined that the country is ranked number one in Central and Latin Americas as far as the volume of export is concerned. Mexico is ranked 12^th in the world in terms of territory and economic power. “This is why advancing trade and economic relations with this country is our top-priority goal. I don’t rule out the possibility and do hope that Mexico will become one of Belarus’ top ten trading partners within the next 10-15 years,” noted Yevgeny Shestakov.

According to the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the main efforts of the Belarusian side should be channeled into overcoming the export’s dependence on a small number of products with a low added value. “We should push complicated mechanical engineering products into Mexico. We should put efforts into securing place on the Mexican market for our affordable and reliable machines,” said Yevgeny Shestakov. He went on saying that MTZ vehicles have been known in Mexico since the Soviet times. “We lost that market at some point. I think that with proper efforts, if assembly enterprises are established there, we could occupy a good niche on the Mexican market in the sphere of tractor construction, production of special machines for municipal enterprises and other areas,” said the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Prospects are vast. We can export products of our petrochemical industry, metal products. There are multiple options. We have to start working hard,” concluded Yevgeny Shestakov.