Mexico’s golden rule: non-intervention in internal affairs
Egyptian-Mexican diplomatic relations have a long history. In 1905, Mexico opened a consulate in Alexandria to help Mexican vessels before or after transiting the Suez Canal. Formal diplomatic relations between Egypt and Mexico were established on 31 March 1958.
Another important date is 6 September, when it took a priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla to stage a revolt against Spanish rule on 16 September 1810, marking the beginning of Mexico’s long, hard road to independence from Spain.
With sincere, albeit belated greetings for Independence Day, Mexican Ambassador to Cairo Jose Octavio Tripp kindly granted The Egyptian Mail a chance to highlight topics relating to bilateral cooperation and the Mexican stance on international issues.
Model for humanitarian co-operation
Egypt and Mexico recently combined efforts to transfer 175 Afghan refugees from Kabul on the first Egyptian flight to Mexico.
“This step is a proof that Egypt and Mexico ties are a model for human cooperation and striking example of growing progress in bilateral ties,” the ambassdor said.
The ambassador expressed his appreciation for the landing of the first Egyptian plane at Mexico City Airport, especially as it came to support a humanitarian operation and save lives.
He went on to express his aspiration that in the near future there will be direct flights between Egypt and Mexico.
“Definitely, the landing of the first flight is significant. The 14-hour flight shows that it is technically possible. I will take the chance to promote the idea of direct flights at both sides,” he said.
However, direct flights is a business issue, requiring a thorough study of the market, he said.
Promising cultural co-operation
The Mexican ambassador stressed the paramount importance of cultural relations in further cementing and developing Egypt-Mexico ties, noting that the Egyptian and Mexican peoples are lovers of art, music and cinema.
“There are many milestones in cultural ties and they are full of success,” he said.
It is worth mentioning that Mexico won the best show in the forth Cairo International Monodrama Day Festival.
“This indicates that Mexico continues to compete in Cairo’s active cultural life,” he added.
The Mexican embassy, despite Covid-19, managed to keep its cultural events by taking advantage of technology.
“Jumping to online activities has become inevitable as precautionary measures have limited physical interaction. We organised the first online seminar between Mexico University and the American University in Cairo to talk about the Middle East,” the ambassador explained.
The ambassador went on to say there will be another seminar by the end of October on Pharaonic art as the pharaonic culture is “attractive”.
Regarding cinema, the ambassador said Egypt is to be the guest of honour at a major film festival in Guanajuato city this year.
“Mexico was also guest of honour at the Cairo International Film Festival two years ago. All these steps are a complete success and reflect the interesting potential for joint cultural cooperation,” he added.
Future of economic ties
Regarding economic co-operation, the ambassador said Egyptian and Mexican companies share common interests to continue their daily and intensive activities despite the challenges caused by the Corona virus pandemic.
“There is positive interaction between both sides. We have seen Mexican companies operating in Egypt for first time and also Egyptian companies operating in Mexico for first time. That was why we established Egypt-Mexico Business Council. This year, in March, Mexico’s Polímeros successfully opened its first plant in Alexandria,” he said.
According to the embassy, Cemex Egypt is participating in various infrastructure projects while reducing carbon emissions with the aim of bringing innovative eco-friendly products to the Egyptian market.
Also, The Egyptian corporation Pico/CHEIRON is operating in Mexico to develop a productive public-private partnership with the state company Petróleos Mexicanos.
Regarding promising areas for economic cooperation, the ambassador said energy and automobile domains are full of potential.
“Mexico is among world’s top five automobile producers. Providing information and identifying opportunities are the key for activating joint cooperation,” he said.
GERD negotiations
Regarding the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Egypt’s stance to reach a legally binding agreement, the ambassador said that negotiation is “a must not an option”.
“We are aware that it is not easy but it is imperative. If we look at international experiences, we can find similar situations and the international community is pushing in that way besides supporting process of negotiation the African Union is leading,” he said.
“Three countries should continue negotiations despite the fact of the presence of some obstacles. It is not easy. Sooner or later it will be imperative to find a way..
Mexican foreign policy
Regarding future of ties between Mexico and the Taliban , the ambassador said that his country has a golden rule in its foreign policy, namely, non-interference in internal affairs and respect of national sovereignty.
“So far, we do not have an embassy in Afghanistan. So, I do not see any change in our policy. However, I cannot specifically comment on this in the current period,” he said.
As for Mexico-US ties, the ambassador said that there is no difference in relations under the administration of Joe Biden as Mexico follows the rule of good neighbourliness.
As for the border wall, the ambassador said that it is one of the world’s most busiest walls as around million cars and automobiles cross every day.
“Definitely, there are certain issues between the two countries including water and immigration, which is why it is imperative to find mechanisms to solve controversies to avoid future problems,” he said.
