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Mexico-United Arab Emirates relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.
Contents
History
Mexico and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1975. For the first three decades, Mexico was represented to the UAE from its embassy in Beirut, Lebanon while the UAE was represented to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, DC, United States. In 2008, Mexico opened a consulate-general in Dubai to promote trade and cultural cooperation between the two nations. In 2010, the UAE opened an embassy in Mexico City and in return, Mexico opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and closed its consulate in Dubai.
Since the establishment of resident diplomatic missions, both nations have increased mutual international cooperation, cultural events, trade and high level visits. Foreign ministers of both nations have repeatedly visited each other's nation and have signed several bilateral agreements including improved cooperation in the energy sector. In 2012 both nations signed an agreement to avoid double taxation on income and are currently in talks to lift visa requirements on diplomatic and official passport holders from government officials of both nations. In 2012, there were over 3,000 Mexican citizens living and working in the UAE, mostly in the energy (petrol) sector and more than 50,000 Mexican citizens visit the country for tourism annually.
In April 2014, Emirati Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum paid an official visit to Mexico. It was the first visit ever by a ruling Emirati Prime Minister. In January 2016 Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto paid an official visit to the UAE. During President Peña Nieto's visit, both nations signed 13 agreements and memorandums. These agreements include: cooperation in energy, protection of investments, petroleum industry, environmental protection and climate change, higher education, cultural and artistic cooperation, tourism and cooperation between Pemex and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Trade relations
Between 2005 - 2013, trade between Mexico and the UAE increased by over 40%. In 2015, two-way trade between both nations totaled $510.9 million USD. The UAE is Mexico's third biggest trading partner in the Middle East. Mexico's main exports to the UAE include: gold, vehicles and refrigerators while the UAE main exports to Mexico include: aluminum alloy and mining equipment. Mexican multinational company Cemex operates in the UAE.