Unofficial Translation

El Universal

May 12, 2016

EPN receives diplomats in (National) Palace

The new Ambassadors of 19 countries in America, Europe, Asia and Oceania in Mexico told President Enrique Peña Nieto about the decision of their Governments to strengthen the economic, commercial, political and social relationship with our country.

After giving them the welcome at the National Palace, the President endorsed in his turn (Mexico’s) interest in strengthening the ties of friendship and strengthen relationships with their Nations.

Yesterday the President received credentials from the ambassadors of Malaysia, Israel, Qatar, Palestine, Kazakhstan, Finland, Brazil, Georgia, Slovakia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Venezuela, Portugal, Australia, Peru, Honduras, Colombia, the Philippines and India.

After entering the reception hall at National Palace, they talked privately with the President and gave direct messages from their respective leaders about the relationship with Mexico.

The Ambassador of Slovakia, Aleja Alena Gazurova, affirmed that Mexico is "a strategic partner" and said stressed the need to intensify political contacts. She revealed that the commercial exchange grew 250% in 2015 and emphasized that the number of Mexican students in her country has tripled.

New Ambassador of Israel, Jonathan Peled, reported that his country had investments in Mexico for nearly $ 2.5 billion in various areas, in addition to 40 thousand Israeli tourists annually visit Mexico and 20 thousand Mexicans going to Israel.

The Palestinian diplomat, Mohamed Abdel Karim Ibrahim Saadat, recognized Mexico’s vote for the Palestinian State as an observer member of the UN.

The Ambassador of Portugal, Jorge Roza de Oliveira, highlighted the growing presence of Mexican companies in his country and vice versa. "Diplomatic relations are fantastic, the cultural, the economic (relations) have grown in the past five years," he said.

The Ambassador of Honduras, Alden River Montes, said that the relations between this nation and Mexico is in one of its best moments. He informed that President Juan Orlando Hernández will visit the country in July, September and November. He pointed out that his country works in a Central American network of consular protection for migrants along with Guatemala, and El Salvador and that if this comes to be they will invite Mexico to join.

The Ambassador of Colombia, Patricia Cárdenas Santamaría, said she invited President Peña Nieto to make a State visit to her country. She stressed the excellent moment that the bilateral relationship is at.

The Ambassador of India, Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi, called the relations between the two countries “warm” and announced the interest of his nation for joining in the training of troops for UN missions.

The Ambassador of Georgia, Zurab Eristav, called on Mexico to look for new markets beyond its relationship with Western Europe, Asia and North America and Latin America.

(Accompanied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, the President received the diplomats who handed direct messages from their respective Presidents. In the picture the Chief Executive with the representative of Malaysia, Mohammad Azhar Bin Mazlan).

Embassy of Malaysia

Mexico City

MEXICO

16 May 2016