The fifth round of negotiations to modernise the political and cooperation dimension of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement in Brussels on Monday 13 November brought “overall agreement” on most issues, allowing the talks on this chapter to enter their “final stages”, the European External Action Service (EEAS) announced on Thursday 16 November.
EU and Mexican negotiators discussed the remaining open articles on political dialogue and cooperation and reached general agreement on most issues.
The talks also covered institutional and final provisions, where “continued progress” was made, the EEAS said.
Reaffirming their commitment to conclude negotiations on the whole agreement this year, both parties agreed to hold a sixth round of negotiations in Mexico City on 29-30 November to conclude discussions on the remaining issues of the political chapter.
The two parties also continue to aim to conclude an agreement in principle on the trade chapter before the end of the year. A sixth round of negotiations will take place in Mexico City from 25 November to 1 December and a seventh round is scheduled for Brussels from 18 to 22 December (see EUROPE 11902).
The fifth round of talks at the end of September delivered progress on both the textual proposals of the trade chapter of the agreement and the revised market access offers, which were exchanged in July (see EUROPE 11880).
Negotiations are at an advanced stage but rules of origin, geographical indications, regulatory issues, opening up public procurement and investment protection continue to be stumbling blocks. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)