Brussels, 06/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Director of the Mexican Institute for International Cooperation, Enrique Berruga, has met representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission to prepare the projects that will be implemented in the framework of the EU/Mexico cooperation and liberalisation agreement that will enter into force on 1 July.
Among the 29 areas of cooperation established by the accord, four priority sectors have been defined: 1) institutional development, which encompasses cooperation on human rights, the reform of justice, information on both parties' institutional systems, etc., 2) scientific and cultural cooperation, the objective being to "develop a scientific community between Mexico and Europe", 3) economic cooperation, notably for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the sectors of biotechnology, port policy, the environment, health and water management, 4) combating poverty, through support for non-governmental organisations working notably in the poorest States: Guerreros, Chiapas, Oaxaca.
Some 50 projects financed by the EU are under way in Mexico, of which around 20 will be implemented in 2000, said Mr Berruga, who also discussed with Members of the EP possible synergy between European and Mexican aid in Central America and the Caribbean ("Mexico's particularity is being both a donor and recipient of aid", he noted). He also stated that Members of the EP would be in Mexico in July to observe the presidential elections.