On Monday 2 October, the European Commission summed up that the fifth round of negotiations (Brussels, 25-29 September) to update the comprehensive EU-Mexico agreement had enabled "good progress" in all areas of the trade plank of the discussions, with both parties maintaining the goal of concluding an agreement in principle by the end of 2017. The Commission also announced that the sixth round of talks will take place in Mexico City from 25 November to 1 December.
In all, 21 negotiation groups met, including those on trade in goods and services, technical barriers to trade, and sustainable development. Discussions focused on the text proposals of the trade plank of the revised comprehensive agreement, as well as on the market access offers for goods, services and public procurement, which were exchanged in July. The Commission is soon to publish its report on the progress made at this fifth round.
In 2015, the EU and Mexico decided to review the outlines of their comprehensive agreement in order to include new subjects (protection of the environment, labour rights, intellectual property and investments). The negotiations were launched in May 2016. The previous round of negotiations was held in Mexico at the end of June (see EUROPE 11832). (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)