MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK/Latam links have seen 36% rise in trade and investment, says minister

Swire made the statement on receiving Mexican president Peña Nieto on a state visit to UK

Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire underlined the growing links of the United Kingdom with Latin America during the state visit of president Enrique Peña Nieto from Mexico, a country with which he feels a close affinity, and is 'integral to the success of the UK”.

 “Our links with Latin America have never been in better shape, with a 36% rise in trade and investment, increased UK representation in 4 countries and over 80 royal or ministerial visits since 2010 – including two I have made to Mexico myself”, pointed out Swire at Canning House following the speech from Peña Nieto.

Swire added it was a testimony to the Canning Agenda, “launched over four years ago by William Hague, which in such a short time the UK and Latin America have achieved so much together”.

The FCO minister said his latest visit to Mexico was in November when accompanying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and in effect “one of the many highlights of that trip were the exceptional Cornish pasties in Real del Monte, a legacy of the miners who came over from the UK from Falmouth in 1825, and a reminder of our strong historic links”.

Swire then praised the performance of Peña Nieto's administration, which in less than two years “has driven through important reforms to build a modern Mexico. A Mexico able to carry weight internationally. And a Mexico that supports its most valuable asset - its young and vibrant population”.

Finally the British minister highlighted the bilateral partnership and The Dual Year of the UK and Mexico, which “will take our already strong relationship to a new level: creating new connections between our people: our academics; our artists; and our businesses. Harnessing the combined strengths of the modern, dynamic countries that we have both become”.

Finally the UK-Mexico Dual Year exemplifies the spirit of the Canning Agenda, which will continue to flourish right across the Latin American region in 2015”, which is in UK's interest to ensure.