Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANTIAGO2469
2005-12-06 22:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE AND MEXICO TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002469
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV CI ME
SUBJECT: CHILE AND MEXICO TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT DURING PRESIDENT FOX'S VISIT TO CHILE IN JANUARY
2006
REF: SANTIAGO 02354 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi.
Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002469
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV CI ME
SUBJECT: CHILE AND MEXICO TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT DURING PRESIDENT FOX'S VISIT TO CHILE IN JANUARY
2006
REF: SANTIAGO 02354 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi.
Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) Foreign Ministry North American Affairs Deputy
Director Alex Geiger told poloff December 5 that Chile and
Mexico would sign "a strategic partnership agreement" during
Mexican President Fox's visit to Chile in January 2006.
Geiger noted the GOC and GOM made significant progress
towards an agreement during President Lagos' visit to Mexico
in early December. Geiger, who has taken part in the
negotiations, characterized the accord as an "umbrella
agreement" that would allow Chile and Mexico to build upon a
free trade agreement signed in 1998. The final agreement
will contain at least five components: political, trade,
commercial, science and technology, and culture. Geiger
added Chile was especially proud of both countries'
commitment to identify opportunities in the region "to
jointly promote democracy, free trade and other common
interests."
2. (C) Geiger characterized the agreement as "one of a kind,"
asserting Chile (and he believed Mexico) did not have a
similar agreement with any other country in the region. He
claimed discussions toward the agreement had been under way
for "some time" and predated last spring's "difficulties"
over the OAS Secretary General candidacy (where then Chilean
Minister of Interior Insulza and Mexican FM Derbez were vying
for the position.) Geiger said that while both countries'
desire to "add a political dimension" to the FTA played a
role, Mexico's standing in the region and the GOC's desire
for improved relations with the GOM were the driving factors
for Chile to conclude an agreement before President Lagos
leaves office in March 2006.
3. (U) Geiger's description of the agreement is consistent
with the information contained in a December 2 press release
posted on the Mexican presidency's website
(www.presidencia.gob.mx). According to the release, the
agreement calls for Chile and Mexico:
--To coordinate positions in multilateral organizations and
international fora, as well as in their relations with other
nations and regions.
--To strengthen the Chile-Mexico free trade agreement,
including increasing investment in the two countries.
--To increase emphasis on research, culture, science and
technology.
--To develop strategies to preserve natural resources in both
countries.
4. (U) The press release adds that Chile and Mexico will
establish a Partnership Council to implement the agreement.
It will be comprised of six government representatives who
will participate in three executive bodies: a political
affairs commission, a cooperation commission, and a free
trade commission. The Council also will act as a mechanism
for technical cooperation as a platform for joint
collaboration with other countries.
5. (U) According to the same press release, Chilean
investment in Mexico totaled $130.3 million as of June 2005,
and involved 259 Chilean firms operating in the commercial,
service and manufacturing sectors. Mexican investment in
Chile as of October totaled $1.31 billion and involved 50
Mexican firms in the food, steel, public works, publishing
and telecommunications sectors.
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV CI ME
SUBJECT: CHILE AND MEXICO TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT DURING PRESIDENT FOX'S VISIT TO CHILE IN JANUARY
2006
REF: SANTIAGO 02354 (NOTAL)
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi.
Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) Foreign Ministry North American Affairs Deputy
Director Alex Geiger told poloff December 5 that Chile and
Mexico would sign "a strategic partnership agreement" during
Mexican President Fox's visit to Chile in January 2006.
Geiger noted the GOC and GOM made significant progress
towards an agreement during President Lagos' visit to Mexico
in early December. Geiger, who has taken part in the
negotiations, characterized the accord as an "umbrella
agreement" that would allow Chile and Mexico to build upon a
free trade agreement signed in 1998. The final agreement
will contain at least five components: political, trade,
commercial, science and technology, and culture. Geiger
added Chile was especially proud of both countries'
commitment to identify opportunities in the region "to
jointly promote democracy, free trade and other common
interests."
2. (C) Geiger characterized the agreement as "one of a kind,"
asserting Chile (and he believed Mexico) did not have a
similar agreement with any other country in the region. He
claimed discussions toward the agreement had been under way
for "some time" and predated last spring's "difficulties"
over the OAS Secretary General candidacy (where then Chilean
Minister of Interior Insulza and Mexican FM Derbez were vying
for the position.) Geiger said that while both countries'
desire to "add a political dimension" to the FTA played a
role, Mexico's standing in the region and the GOC's desire
for improved relations with the GOM were the driving factors
for Chile to conclude an agreement before President Lagos
leaves office in March 2006.
3. (U) Geiger's description of the agreement is consistent
with the information contained in a December 2 press release
posted on the Mexican presidency's website
(www.presidencia.gob.mx). According to the release, the
agreement calls for Chile and Mexico:
--To coordinate positions in multilateral organizations and
international fora, as well as in their relations with other
nations and regions.
--To strengthen the Chile-Mexico free trade agreement,
including increasing investment in the two countries.
--To increase emphasis on research, culture, science and
technology.
--To develop strategies to preserve natural resources in both
countries.
4. (U) The press release adds that Chile and Mexico will
establish a Partnership Council to implement the agreement.
It will be comprised of six government representatives who
will participate in three executive bodies: a political
affairs commission, a cooperation commission, and a free
trade commission. The Council also will act as a mechanism
for technical cooperation as a platform for joint
collaboration with other countries.
5. (U) According to the same press release, Chilean
investment in Mexico totaled $130.3 million as of June 2005,
and involved 259 Chilean firms operating in the commercial,
service and manufacturing sectors. Mexican investment in
Chile as of October totaled $1.31 billion and involved 50
Mexican firms in the food, steel, public works, publishing
and telecommunications sectors.
KELLY