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Mexico-Norway relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Norway. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Norway recognized Mexico after the latter obtained its independence from Spain in 1821. Both nations established diplomatic relations in 1906, however, it was not until 1910 that Norway established an embassy in Mexico City and Mexico would also establish an embassy in Oslo a few years later. Early relations were mainly between Norwegian fishing vessels that would arrive to Veracruz to trade in cod. During World War II, Mexico maintained diplomatic relations with the Norwegian government in exile. After the war, both nations re-opened their embassies, respectively. In June 2002, Mexico closed its embassy in Oslo due to "financial restraints". The embassy was re-opened in 2014.
Agreements
Both nations have signed mutual agreements on the following:
State visits
Royal and Prime Ministerial visits from Norway to Mexico:
As of yet, no Mexican President has paid a visit to Norway.
Trade
In 2001, Mexico signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association member nations, which includes Norway. In 2015, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $252 million USD. Mexico's main exports to Norway include equipment for petroleum and gas as well as beer while Norway's main exports to Mexico include mostly chemical based products. Between 1999 - 2012, Norwegian companies invested over $91 million USD into Mexico. Both nations are major petroleum producing nations and with the new energy reforms taking place in Mexico, it is expected that Norwegian companies such as Statoil will increase investment into the Mexican energy sector and national petroleum company (Pemex) over the coming years.