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Mexico to Consolidate International Presence
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January 02, 2010
 |  | This year has been one of the most complex for Mexico in terms of the defense of national interest worldwide. |  | | |
Mexico City - The Foreign Affairs Department is aiming to position Mexico among the most important countries in the world.
Throughout 2010 dozens of international dignitaries will visit Mexico during world summits hosted by the country.
Even though Mexico's foreign policy faced difficult challenges in 2009 due to the H1N1 outbreak including the discrimination of Mexicans in China, the Department's priority is to improve Mexico's standing in the international community.
Next year's agenda includes the World Climate Change Forum and the World Migration Summit.
Another relevant issue is the relationship between Mexico and Spain, as Spain will take over the presidency of the European Union during the first six months of 2010.
Beginning in 2010, Mexico will have a privileged position in terms of economic and commercial cooperation as well as the discussion of political issues such as environment, security, disarmament and the battle against international organized crime.
According to President Calderón's Third Government Report, the National Development Plan 2007-2012 will continue with four basic strategies: use foreign policy to influence Mexico's development: contribute to the creation of a new world order; increase Mexico's presence abroad; and build a new migration culture by protecting and respecting the rights of Mexicans migrating to other countries as well as foreigners migrating to Mexico.
Bicentenary Year
In order to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Mexico's Independence and the Centenary of the Mexican Revolution, the Federal Government has planned several events to which a large number of international dignitaries have been invited to attend.
According to Under-Secretary of the Department of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, the welcoming of foreign leaders, Presidents and Prime Ministers will be part of the agenda.
The international dignitaries, he explained, were invited to take part in the national celebrations as part of President Calderón's foreign policy agenda.
Similarly, Mexico will participate in international events such as the United Nations Security Council, the Group of Five (G-5) that includes Mexico, India, South Africa, China and Brazil as well as Mexico's collaboration in the Rio Group throughout 2010.
This is all part of Mexico's strategy to hold significant positions during the creation of a new world order.
Mexico has applied for and obtained positions in organizations such as the Inter-American Human Rights Assembly (CIDH), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other United Nations bodies.
2009: H1N1 Year
This year has been one of the most complex for Mexico in terms of the defense of national interest worldwide.
At the end of April, the H1N1 outbreak in Mexico brought with it complications with Mexico's relations with other countries
Argentina, Cuba and Ecuador cancelled all commercial flights to Mexico; Canada also cancelled charter flights. Meanwhile, Singapore, Japan and other countries suddenly required Mexicans to obtain visas in order to enter their territories.
Even though flights to Mexico have gradually re-opened and Japan and Singapore have eliminated the visa requirement, problems with China and Cuba were more serious.
China openly established discriminatory measures against Mexicans, for example compulsory quarantine under the supervision of the Chinese Army regardless of whether or not individuals were infected with the H1N1 virus.
These circumstances forced the Mexican Government to issue a warning against travelling to China and chartered an Aeromexico airplane to pick up the 217 Mexicans who were affected by the discrimination and return them to the country.
As for Cuba, the H1N1 resulted on a cooling relations between the countries.
A short time after the outbreak, Fidel Castro published a document where he claimed that Mexico knew about the outbreak before President Obama's visit to Mexico in April.
The Mexican Government denied the claim and later admitted that it was providing consular assistance to several Mexicans studying in Cuba of which 6 were infected with the virus.
Even though the diplomatic differences were overcome, President Calderon did not visit Cuba as he was scheduled to do during the first semester of this year. Nor did he visit Cuba during the rest of 2009.
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