As constructive partners, Korea & Mexico share common initiatives in the arenas such as UN, G-20, OECD, APEC, until recent MIKTA, to name just a few.

Such opinions were revealed in the speeches of Mexico Amb. Jose Luis Bernal and deputy minister Kim Hyoung-zhin for political affairs from MOFAT, in a reception held to fete the 206th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico on Sep. 22th evening in a hotel Seoul.

First off, Bernal touched upon Mexico's international phase as one of the 15 largest economies globally, adding Mexico inked with over 45 countries regarding economic cooperative agreements and over 30 million tourists all over the world visit the nation annually.

Center Mexico Amb. Bernal is surrounded by envoys to commemorate Mexico 206th Anniversary of Independence Day.

In the case of Korea, two countries' trade volume surpassed 17 billion dollars nowadays and Korea remains the 6 largest trade partner with Mexico, according to Bernal.

By his return address as guest honour who represented on behalf of the Korean Government, deputy minister Kim Hyoung-zhin for political affairs from MOFAT sincerely expected for Korea-Mexico FTA to be concluded sooner or later. From the standpoint of political point, Kim expressed deep thanks for the Government of Mexico who issued the most strongest impeachment announcement regarding North Korea's provocative actions such as recent its 5th nuke experiment on the peninsula.

The following is a contribution from Mexico Amb. José Luis Bernal regarding Korea-Mexico Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity. -Ed.

Korea and Mexico enhancing their Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity

By José Luis BernalAmbassador of Mexico to the Republic of Korea

On September 15-16, Mexico celebrated the 206th anniversary of its Independence, coinciding this year with the observance of the Chuseok festivities by the Korean people. This auspicious occasion gives us the opportunity to congratulate the people and the Government of the Republic of Korea, and at the same time, to assess the meaningful progress our two countries have accomplished in our bilateral friendship and cooperation.

Ten years after our leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relation to a higher stage, by launching the Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity in 2005, we gladly confirm that cooperation has notably developed in every area of interest, as evidenced by the constant political dialogue and high-level reciprocal visits, by the ever-growing figures in trade, investment and tourism, by the increasing educational exchanges and by the sincere interest shown by Koreans and Mexicans in each other’s arts, gastronomy and culture.

Indeed, Mexico and Korea are taking full advantage of every opportunity to "create a new future for substantial cooperation and shared growth", as stated by President Park Geun-hye in Mexico last April. Mexico continues to be Korea’s largest trading partner in Latin America: with a bilateral trade of more than US$17 billion, Korea is Mexico’s 6th largest trading partner worldwide. Also, Korean companies have established more than 1,700 joint ventures in Mexico, contributing to create global value chains, in light of the many competitiveness sources offered by the Mexican economy. In their summit in Mexico City, Presidents Park and Peña Nieto witnessed the formalization of more than 25 new agreements comprising a wide range of fields and innovative formulas for joint action. Also, our leaders confirmed their commitment to continue expanding economic opportunities, inter alia through Mexico´s support for the eventual access of Korea to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and by launching consultations on the prospects for a bilateral FTA.

On the multilateral arena, our two nations have also developed a meaningful alliance, working together in the promotion of peace and human security; in strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and human rights on devising new approaches to international cooperation and the fight against poverty and on promoting sustainable development and the fight against climate change, among other issues. This is reflected in our shared memberships in the G20, APEC, the OCDE and, since 2013, in the joint promotion of MIKTA, a group of like-minded nations (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia) aimed at exerting a positive influence in the multilateral agenda, serving as a bridge between the developed and the less developed countries, to foster better global governance and promote human security.

As we celebrate Mexico´s Independence Day together with our Korean friends and with the Mexican community in Korea, it is my desire for our two countries to continue nurturing our many ties of friendship and consolidate our cooperation for the mutual benefit of our peoples.