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Mexico–Turkey relations refers to the bilateral relations between Mexico and Turkey. Both nations are members of the G-20 major economies, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Contents
History
The first official contact between Mexico and the Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey) was 1864 when Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico sent out emissaries to several nations to seek official recognition of his rule in the country. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established in 1928 after the transformation of Turkey from the Ottoman Empire by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish republic in 1923; and after the end of the Mexican revolution in 1920. That same year, both nations signed a 'Friendship Agreement'. Almost immediately, both nations opened diplomatic legations in each other's capitals, respectively. In 1962, their respective diplomatic missions were upgraded to embassies.
In June 1992, Mexican Foreign Secretary Fernando Solana paid an official visit to Turkey, becoming at the time the highest level government official to visit the country. While in Turkey, Secretary Solana and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Suleyman Demirel signed agreements on cultural exchanges and of eliminating visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders of both nations. The two nations also agreed to establish a mechanism for political consultations to discuss points of views on bilateral and multilateral mutual interests.
In 2013, during the historic visit of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to Turkey, both nations signed agreements on:
Both nations are considered as regional powers and are playing bigger roles in the international community. Both nations have supported each other diplomatically, particularly in the United Nations and Mexico has supported Turkey over the issue of the Syrian Civil War occurring on its border. In 2013, Mexico donated $1 million USD to Turkey for the support of over one million Syrian refugees that are currently being housed in the country.
State visits
Presidential visits from Mexico to Turkey
Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Turkey to Mexico
Trade
In 2015, trade between both nations amounted to $884 million USD. Turkey is Mexico's 47th largest trading partner. Mexico's main exports to Turkey include: wheat, telephones and vehicles while Turkish exports to Mexico include: textiles and coper and aluminum based products. Mexican multinational companies such as Cemex, Gruma and Zinc Nacional operate in Turkey and have invested over $600 million USD in the country. Turkish multinational companies such as Orphan Holding, Tekno Kauch and Toto Max operate in Mexico. Both nations are negotiating on a free trade agreement.