MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

PM Cameron and Peña Nieto discuss agenda of bilateral and global issues

The Mexican president was received at Downing Street

British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed President Peña Nieto of Mexico to Downing Street on Thursday afternoon as part of his State Visit to the UK.

 According to PM's office the two leaders addressed an agenda with a long list of issues, underlining the strengthening of bilateral relations in recent years supported by trade deals including updating the current EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement to help support small businesses and services industries.

Downing Street spokesperson said that PM Cameron reiterated the UK’s strong support for expanding and deepening trade between the EU and Mexico, and discussed the ongoing process to appoint the next Secretary General of the OECD, and supported Angel Gurria’s bid for a third term. The PM welcomed the crucial role the OECD has played to progress the UK’s G8 agenda on international tax reform.

President Peña Nieto set out the priority his government is placing on improving human rights and strengthening the rule of law in Mexico and the work that is already underway on this. He acknowledged the scale of the challenge and the commitment it will take to have a real, lasting impact.

The PM welcomed his approach and supported UK-Mexico cooperation on policing and justice. He welcomed Mexico’s Chairmanship of the Open Government Partnership and the leaders jointly committed to providing further financial support for the initiative.

The two leaders also discussed regional affairs in Latin America and the potential to strengthen EU-Mexico cooperation on energy to lessen dependence on Russia. They agreed on the importance of working together to secure a comprehensive deal on climate change at the UN meeting in Paris this year, and to support the UN Secretary General’s efforts to agree clear, concise post-2015 development goals.