EU to expedite signing of free trade deal with Mexico

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) — Mexico's president met with a top EU official on Friday to discuss issues including efforts for a free trade deal and climate change.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City on Thursday, with the two leaders agreeing to expedite the signing of the free trade agreement by the end of the year.

A statement by the EU Commission said von der Leyen and Lopez Obrador stressed the shared priorities of combating inequality, poverty, and human rights issues. They also agreed to pursue policies promoting "sustainable, resilient and inclusive economic growth and development that favour social justice on both sides of the Atlantic," it added.

Lopez Obrador posted a photo on Twitter with von der Leyen, pointing to the sides' economic cooperation and their agreement to hasten free trade talks.

The parties highlighted critical issues during the meeting, according to the EU statement, including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, migration, health, inflation, and food security.

They also agreed to promote mutual investment, technology and knowledge flows "for the benefit of the respective societies," it said, adding that Mexico was in a "strategic" position to supply both the rest of North America and Europe with clean hydrogen fuel.

"Both Presidents identified Mexico as a strategic energy, industrial and logistical hub to supply the North American and European markets, with a high potential in green hydrogen energy, and agreed that European investments will be important to contribute to its development," said the statement.

After commencing her Latin America tour with a visit to Brazil on June 13, von der Leyen also held meetings with the presidents of Argentina and Chile.

*Writing by Necva Tastan in Istanbul