Mexico continues to be Korea’s largest trading partner in Latin America with bilateral trade of more than $17 billion. This makes Korea Mexico’s sixth-largest trading partner worldwide. By harnessing our economic competitiveness, Korean companies have established more than 1,700 joint ventures in Mexico and bolstered regional and global value chains.

Our government has undertaken far-reaching structural reforms over its energy, telecommunications and educational sectors for the sustainable growth of our economy over the coming decades.

In light of these changes, President Park and President Enrique Pena Nieto signed 22 new agreements covering areas such as science and technology, agriculture, energy, water, intellectual property, information communication and technology, health and pharmaceuticals, automobiles, tourism, arts and culture and social security.

Furthermore, agreements were also adopted in law enforcement, the fight against transnational crime and public policy. They expressed their commitment to expanding mutual trade and investment, particularly through Korea’s prospective membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade bloc and the possible bilateral free trade agreement.

The presidential summit also presented an opportunity to widen our cooperation in multilateral forums, including G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and MIKTA -- a group of middle-power nations Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia that serves as a bridge between developed and developing countries and aims to exert positive influences globally through the promotion of democratic governance and universal security.

As the positive results of our partnership are increasingly enjoyed by Koreans and Mexicans, we are ready to take our alliance to a higher level through more frequent political dialogue and support of complementary sectors.

In commemorating Mexico’s Independence Day here with Korean and Mexican friends, it is my honor to continue fleshing out our manifold ties and bonds. As President Park eloquently expressed to President Pena Nieto, Koreans and Mexicans remain “amigos para siempre (friends forever).”

By Jose Luis Bernal, Mexican ambassador to Korea