THE INAUGURATION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP MALAYSIA-MEXICO

THE INAUGURATION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP MALAYSIA-MEXICO

OF THE MEXICAN CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES OF THE LXIV LEGISLATURE OF THE MEXICAN CONGRESS

11 FEBRUARY 2020

CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

On 11 February 2020, the Embassy of Malaysia and the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico inaugurated the Parliamentary Friendship Group between Malaysia and Mexico. The Ceremony was led by TYT Ambassador Muzafar Shah Mustafa from the Malaysian side and Deputy Maiella Gomez Maldonado, President of Parliamentary Friendship Groups from the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. The establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico aims at promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue and information exchange for greater cooperation and understanding between Malaysia and Mexico. Other than that, it would also explore future cooperative initiatives and programs between the two parties.

Amongst the distinguished members from the Chamber of Deputies that were appointed as members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico are as follows: Deputy Celenia Contreras Gonzalez, Deputy Geraldina Herrera Vega, Deputy Lorena Jiménez Andrade, Deputy Julieta Macías Rabago, Deputy Dulce María Méndez de La Luz Dauzón, Deputy Ximena Fuente de la Mora and Deputy Mario Alberto Rodriguez Carrillo as the appointed members. On the Malaysian side, TYT Ambassador was being accompanied by the First Secretary, Third Secretary, Personal Assistant to the Ambassador and two staff from the Embassy.

The inauguration started with the opening remarks by the President Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico, Deputy Maiella Gomez Maldonado. Amongst others, the Deputy reiterated the importance of the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Mexico, politically and economically. The formation of the Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico could spur future collaboration and cooperation especially in the areas of information sharing, knowledge in good governance and in realizing the United Nations´ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for the mutual benefits of both countries. The Deputy also reiterated the need to have an exchange of working visit from the Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both countries.

In his remarks, TYT Ambassador Muzafar Shah Mustafa stated the importance of Mexico to Malaysia, and vice versa.   TYT Ambassador noted on the potential for the political and economic relations to grow substantially through commitment and cooperation between our two countries – be it in public sector or private sector – especially in economics, trade and investment, education and human capital development as well as in other new areas of common interest. TYT Ambassador also stressed on the importance of the inauguration of the Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico which could enhance further the cooperation between the two countries. In this sense, both countries should take this opportunity to forge and develop close and enduring cooperation as a means to strengthen existing ties to bring about greater awareness of Malaysia in Mexico, and vice versa.

The members of the Friendship Group as well as the other members of the Chamber of Deputies also intervened during the session. Amongst the notable remarks were on the importance of Malaysia as the top ten trade partner to Mexico and the invitation to organize the trade promotional visits to several States under the constituents of the members of the Chamber of Deputies. Several members also called for dialogue cooperation between the two countries especially on the issue of climate change, issue of human trafficking, human rights as well as to have more treaties/ Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysia and Mexico. There was also a mentioned on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The session was then proceeded with the official declaration of the establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Group between Malaysia and Mexico and the signing of the partnership. TYT Ambassador was also being honored to sign the Chamber of Deputies Distinguished Guest Visitor´s Signing Book. The Ceremony ended with a group photo between TYT Ambassador and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Malaysia-Mexico.

TYT Ambassador also had the opportunity to tour the Mexican Chamber of Deputies where he was taken to the Session Hall and was greeted by the presiding speaker in the presence of most of the 500-member of Parliament of Mexico.

Prepared by:

Malawakil Mexico City

24 February 2020