Iceland–Mexico relations: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Iceland-Mexico|Iceland|Mexico}} |
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The nations of [[Iceland]] and [[Mexico]] established diplomatic relations in 1964.<ref name=Relations /> Both nations are mutual members of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]], [[United Nations]] and the [[World Trade Organization]]. |
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== History== |
== History== |
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Iceland and Mexico established diplomatic relations on |
Iceland and Mexico established diplomatic relations on 24 March 1964.<ref name=Relations>[https://www.government.is/ministries/ministry-for-foreign-affairs/protocol/establishment-of-diplomatic-relations/ Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: Mexico]</ref> Initial relations between both nations were limited. In 1985, Icelandic Prime Minister [[Steingrímur Hermannsson]] became the first Icelandic head-of-government to visit Mexico and met with President [[Miguel de la Madrid]].<ref name=History>[https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/dinamarca/index.php/en/relaciones-mexico-dinamarca-e-islandia-1 Establecimiento de Relaciones Diplomáticas entre México e Islandia (in Spanish)]</ref> Since then, there have been other high level visits by Icelandic politicians to Mexico. |
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On February |
On 1 February 1999, Icelandic Prime Minister [[Davíð Oddsson]] paid an official visit to Mexico and met with Mexican President [[Ernesto Zedillo]].<ref name=History /> During his visit, both leaders discussed a free trade agreement between Mexico and the [[European Economic Area]] (which includes Iceland). Both leaders also agreed to work closely together in increasing trade, tourism, cultural and educational events between both nations and the Icelandic Prime Minister announced that Iceland would be investing more in Mexico, especially in the town of [[Guaymas]], [[Sonora]].<ref>[https://timarit.is/page/1926449#page/n13/mode/2up Oddsson in Mexico]</ref> |
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In March 2008 Icelandic President [[Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson]] paid a state visit to Mexico and met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón.<ref name=Ragnar>[https://wradio.com.mx/radio/2008/03/11/nacional/1205271360_561618.html Destaca Calderón cooperación con Islandia para el desarrollo (in Spanish)]</ref> Icelandic Minister of Education, [[Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir]], accompanied the president and Iceland's first lady on trip. Also attending were members of the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Office, as well as a trade delegation. President Grímsson addressed the people of Mexico on 11 March 2008, saying: |
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On October 24, 2007 Albert Jónsson, the Icelandic Ambassador to Washington, DC; presented his [[diplomatic credentials]] at the [[National Palace (Mexico)|National Palace]] in [[Mexico City]]. After the ceremony, [[Felipe Calderón]] and Jónsson discussed the current state of Icelandic-Mexico relations. Both want to strengthen [[bilateral trade]] and Calderón wanted to cooperate on energy and fishing rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iceland.org/us/the-embassy/news-and-events/nr/4683 |title=Presentation of Credentials |accessdate=2010-05-18 |quote= |publisher=[[Iceland|Embassy of Iceland]] }}</ref> |
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[[Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson]], the [[President of Iceland]] and Felipe Calderon, the [[President of Mexico]] met in March 2008. This was the first time a President of Iceland had made a state visit to Mexico.<ref name="speech"> |
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{{cite news |
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| url = http://english.forseti.is/media/files/08_03_11_Mex_welcome.pdf |
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| title = President of Iceland speech on visit to Mexico |
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| date = March 11, 2008 |
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| accessdate = 2009-01-26 |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir]], Iceland's [[Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)|Minister of Education, Science and Culture]] accompanied the president and Iceland's first lady on trip. Also attending were members of the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Office, as well as a trade delegation.<ref>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=President of Iceland to Visit Mexico |url=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=40764&ew_0_a_id=302240 |quote=. |work=Iceland Review |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> |
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Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson addressed the people of Mexico on March 11, 2008, saying: |
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<blockquote> |
<blockquote> |
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In this new century, mankind eagerly seeks and requires leadership born of the same qualities, searching for solutions to the most fundamental challenge of our times, the threat of climate change, which is so evident in the melting of the ice sheets and the glaciers and the rising sea levels all over the world. Due to the [[Gulf Stream]], Mexico and Iceland are closely linked in this endeavour. Flowing from Mexico into the North–Atlantic, the Gulf Stream encircles my country and constitutes the core of the conveyor belt of ocean currents which in every continent regulates the climate. Cooperation between our countries is therefore both urgent and is endowed with symbolic value, reminding us how all nations now share a common fate, but also demonstrating to others new ways towards solutions. |
In this new century, mankind eagerly seeks and requires leadership born of the same qualities, searching for solutions to the most fundamental challenge of our times, the threat of climate change, which is so evident in the melting of the ice sheets and the glaciers and the [[sea level rise|rising sea levels]] all over the world. Due to the [[Gulf Stream]], Mexico and Iceland are closely linked in this endeavour. Flowing from Mexico into the North–Atlantic, the Gulf Stream encircles my country and constitutes the core of the conveyor belt of ocean currents which in every continent regulates the climate. Cooperation between our countries is therefore both urgent and is endowed with symbolic value, reminding us how all nations now share a common fate, but also demonstrating to others new ways towards solutions....<ref>[https://www.visir.is/g/2008346366d Forsetahjónin fara til Mexíkó (in Icelandic)]</ref> |
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</blockquote> |
</blockquote> |
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In November 2017, the Annual World Summit, Global Forum of Women and Leaders in Politics was held in [[Reykjavík]], Iceland. A Mexican delegation attended the event led by the Mexican Senator María del Rosario Guzmán Avilés.<ref name=History /> |
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In 2008, Felipe Calderón said: "Our two countries joined forces under the [[United Nations]] to codify the new [[Law of the Sea]] and, in particular, work closely to achieve the [[Exclusive Economic Zone]]."<ref>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Destaca Calderón disposición de Islandia para el comercio |url=http://www.oem.com.mx/diariodexalapa/notas/n626069.htm |quote= |work=[[Organización Editorial Mexicana]]|language=Spanish |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> |
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In May 2024, Mexican Foreign Undersecretary Carmen Moreno Toscano traveled to Iceland leading a delegation to attend the IV Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe as a Permanent Observer. During her trip, Ms. Moreno Toscano also met with the Icelandic Permanent Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry.<ref name=Toscano>[https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/mexico-participa-en-la-4-cumbre-de-jefes-de-estado-y-de-gobierno-del-consejo-de-europa México participa en la 4ª Cumbre de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno del Consejo de Europa (in Spanish)]</ref> That same year, both nations celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations.<ref>[https://www.gob.mx/sre/videos/hoy-conmemoramos-el-60-aniversario-del-establecimiento-de-relaciones-diplomaticas-entre-mexico-e-islandia Hoy conmemoramos el 60 aniversario del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre México e Islandia (in Spanish)]</ref> |
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The two leaders discussed common ground, including concerns over [[climate change]], since both nations are directly affected by the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref name=spanish>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Llama Olafur Ragnar a combatir el cambio climático |url=http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/notas/n624987.htm |quote= |work=[[El Sol De Mexico]]|language=Spanish |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> Also in 2008 the two nations signed a [[tax treaty]] to avoid [[double taxation]].<ref name=network/><ref name=pwc1> |
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{{cite web| url = http://www.internationaltaxreview.com/?Page=10&PUBID=35&ISS=25321&SID=717805&TYPE=20| title = Mexico: Iceland added to Mexico's treaty list| quote = The provisions of the Iceland-Mexico income tax treaty, which was signed in Mexico City on March 11, 2008 ...| work = [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]]| accessdate = May 1, 2009 |
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}}</ref> The agreement to abolish double taxation was signed by [[Agustín Carstens]], the Mexican [[Minister of Finance]]; and the [[Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)|Minister of Education, Science and Culture]] of Iceland, [[Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.forseti.is/Pictures/Mexico20081/ |title=Signing Ceremony |accessdate=2010-05-16 |quote= |publisher=[[President of Iceland]] }}</ref> |
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They also signed a treaty on geothermal energy, and one abolishing visas for diplomats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/prensa/?contenido=34288 |title=El Presidente Calderón y el Presidente de la República de Islandia, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, en la Ceremonia de la Firma de Acuerdos entre los Gobiernos de México e Islandia |accessdate=2010-05-13 |quote=|date=March 11, 2008 |language=Spanish |publisher=[[Mexico]] }}</ref><ref name=geotermica>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=México e Islandia acceden quitar visa diplomática y apoyar energía geotérmica |language=Spanish |url=http://www.cotizalia.com/cache/2008/03/12/42_mexico_islandia_acceden_quitar_diplomatica_apoyar.html |quote= |work=Cotizalia |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> |
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'''High-level visits from Iceland to Mexico'''<ref name=History /><ref>[https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/1998/03/24/forseti_islands_heimsaekir_fyrirtaeki_i_mexiko/ Forseti Íslands heimsækir fyrirtæki í Mexíkó (in Icelandic)]</ref><ref>[https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2004/05/11/olafur_ragnar_og_forseti_mexiko_attu_fund_um_sjavar/ Ólafur Ragnar og forseti Mexíkó áttu fund um sjávarútvegsmál (in Icelandic)]</ref><ref name=Ragnar /> |
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During the meeting, Mexico agreed to support the nomination of Iceland as a nonpermanent member of the [[United Nations Security Council]] for the 2009–2010 assembly. The Icelandic Government agreed to nominate Mexico for a position on the council.<ref name=geotermica/> They also agreed to begin negotiations on an agreement for air transportation between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Presidente de Islandia realiza visita oficial a México para firma de acuerdo |language=Spanish|url=http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/414681/03/08/Presidente-de-Islandia-realiza-visita-oficial-a-Mexico-para-firma-de-acuerdo.html |quote=. |work=[[El Economista (Spain)|El Economista]] |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> On the trip, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson gave an interview to [[Organización Editorial Mexicana]] and said that "geothermal energy has a future in Mexico."<ref>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Debe México aprovechar energías renovables |url=http://www.oem.com.mx/elheraldodetabasco/notas/n626128.htm |quote=Al respecto, cabe recordar que el presidente de Islandia, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, en una entrevista que concedió a este diario, afirmó que la energía geotérmica tiene verdadero futuro en México. |language=Spanish |work=[[Organización Editorial Mexicana]] in El Heraldo de Tabasco |date=March 12, 2008 |accessdate=2010-05-13 }}</ref> |
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==Agreements== |
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As of April 2009, Iceland is one of only 37 countries with which Mexico has a tax treaty and one of only 22 where an agreement for a broad exchange of information has been signed.<ref name=network> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.internationaltaxreview.com/?Page=10&PUBID=35&ISS=25352&SID=718881&TYPE=20 |
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| title = Mexico: Tax treaty network increasing |
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| work = [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]] |
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| accessdate = May 1, 2009 |
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}}</ref> |
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In 2001 they reached an agreement on agriculture, signed in Mexico City on November 27, 2000, and effective on October 1, 2001.<ref name=Trade>[http://economia.gob.mx/files/comunidad_negocios/comercio_exterior/Ficha_Islandia_ok.pdf Trade between Mexico and Iceland (in Spanish)]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.glin.gov/view.action?glinID=81872 |title=Mexico-Iceland |accessdate=2010-05-16 |quote=Decree of 20 September 2001 promulgates the Agreement on Agriculture between the governments of Mexico and Iceland, signed in Mexico City on 27 November 2000. |publisher=[[Law Library of Congress]] }}</ref> In 2005 they signed an agreement for the promotion and mutual protection of investments, which was signed in [[Mexico City]] on June 24, 2005, and has been in force since April 28, 2006.<ref name=Trade /> |
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'''Prime Ministerial and Presidential visits from Iceland to Mexico'''<ref>[http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2008/351660.html Recibirá Calderón en Los Pinos a su homólogo de Islandia (in Spanish)]</ref> |
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* Prime Minister [[Steingrímur Hermannsson]] (1985) |
* Prime Minister [[Steingrímur Hermannsson]] (1985) |
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* Prime Minister [[Davíð Oddsson]] (1999) |
* Prime Minister [[Davíð Oddsson]] (1999) |
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'''High-level visits from Mexico to Iceland'''<ref name=History /><ref name=Toscano /> |
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As of yet, no Mexican president has paid a visit to Iceland. |
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* Senator María del Rosario Guzmán Avilés (2017) |
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* Foreign Undersecretary Carmen Moreno Toscano (2024) |
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==Bilateral agreements== |
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Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Agriculture (2000); Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (2005); Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion in the Matter of Income Taxes (2008); Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and promote bilateral technical cooperation in geothermal development (2015); and an Agreement on Air Services (2021).<ref>[https://cja.sre.gob.mx/tratadosmexico/buscador?keywords=&category_id=&theme_id=&country_id=74&organization_id= Bilateral agreements between Mexico and Iceland (in Spanish)]</ref> |
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== Trade == |
== Trade == |
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In 2001, Mexico signed a free trade agreement with the [[European Free Trade Association]], which includes Iceland, [[Liechtenstein]], [[Norway]] and [[Switzerland]]. In 2023, two-way trade between Iceland and Mexico amounted to US$16.9 million.<ref name=Trade>[https://www.economia.gob.mx/datamexico/en/profile/country/islandia Data México: Iceland]</ref> Iceland's main exports to Mexico include: splints or other items and fracture appliances; telephones and mobile phones; parts and accessories for machines; fish fats and oil; frozen, preserved fish and caviar; hand adjustment keys; chemical based products; and petroleum oil. Mexico's main exports to Iceland include: motor vehicles for the transport of goods, axles and cranks, data processing machines, machinery parts, telephones and mobile phones, tools, plastic, margarine, coffee, and alcohol.<ref name=Trade /> |
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In 2008, Iceland was ranked 118th in total trade with Mexico and was ranked 4th among the countries of [[European Free Trade Association]].<ref name=Trade /> In 2017, two-way trade amounted to $21.6 million USD.<ref>[http://www.economia-snci.gob.mx/sic_php/pages/estadisticas/ Mexican Ministry of the Economy: Iceland (in Spanish)]</ref> Mexico's exports to Iceland were: metal tubes with threaded ends (46.0%), motor vehicles (18.7%) and lactic acid (2.0%). The major imports from Iceland to Mexico were: cod liver oil (4.6%), gutted fish (3.1%) and roe (2.8%).<ref name=Trade /> In 2011, an Icelandic manufacturing and non-invasive orthopaedics equipment company, [[Össur]], opened a manufacturing plant in the city of [[Tijuana]], northern Mexico.<ref>[http://www.madeinmexicoinc.com/official-opening-of-a-new-manufacturing-plant-in-tijuana-ossur/ Official Opening of a New Manufacturing Plant in Tijuana: Össur]</ref> |
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== Accredited diplomatic missions == |
== Accredited diplomatic missions == |
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* Iceland is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in [[Washington, D.C.]], |
* Iceland is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in [[Washington, D.C.]], United States and maintains honorary consulates in [[Campeche City]] and [[Mexico City]].<ref>[https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-washington-d.c/ Embassy of Iceland to the United States]</ref> |
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* Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in [[Copenhagen]], |
* Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in [[Reykjavík]].<ref>[https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/dinamarca/ Embassy of Mexico in Denmark]</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Foreign relations of Iceland}} |
{{Foreign relations of Iceland}} |
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Latest revision as of 21:13, 22 September 2024
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 Iceland |
 Mexico |
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The nations of Iceland and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1964.[1] Both nations are mutual members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
History
[edit]Iceland and Mexico established diplomatic relations on 24 March 1964.[1] Initial relations between both nations were limited. In 1985, Icelandic Prime Minister Steingrímur Hermannsson became the first Icelandic head-of-government to visit Mexico and met with President Miguel de la Madrid.[2] Since then, there have been other high level visits by Icelandic politicians to Mexico.
On 1 February 1999, Icelandic Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson paid an official visit to Mexico and met with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.[2] During his visit, both leaders discussed a free trade agreement between Mexico and the European Economic Area (which includes Iceland). Both leaders also agreed to work closely together in increasing trade, tourism, cultural and educational events between both nations and the Icelandic Prime Minister announced that Iceland would be investing more in Mexico, especially in the town of Guaymas, Sonora.[3]
In March 2008 Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson paid a state visit to Mexico and met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón.[4] Icelandic Minister of Education, Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, accompanied the president and Iceland's first lady on trip. Also attending were members of the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Office, as well as a trade delegation. President Grímsson addressed the people of Mexico on 11 March 2008, saying:
In this new century, mankind eagerly seeks and requires leadership born of the same qualities, searching for solutions to the most fundamental challenge of our times, the threat of climate change, which is so evident in the melting of the ice sheets and the glaciers and the rising sea levels all over the world. Due to the Gulf Stream, Mexico and Iceland are closely linked in this endeavour. Flowing from Mexico into the North–Atlantic, the Gulf Stream encircles my country and constitutes the core of the conveyor belt of ocean currents which in every continent regulates the climate. Cooperation between our countries is therefore both urgent and is endowed with symbolic value, reminding us how all nations now share a common fate, but also demonstrating to others new ways towards solutions....[5]
In November 2017, the Annual World Summit, Global Forum of Women and Leaders in Politics was held in Reykjavík, Iceland. A Mexican delegation attended the event led by the Mexican Senator María del Rosario Guzmán Avilés.[2]
In May 2024, Mexican Foreign Undersecretary Carmen Moreno Toscano traveled to Iceland leading a delegation to attend the IV Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe as a Permanent Observer. During her trip, Ms. Moreno Toscano also met with the Icelandic Permanent Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry.[6] That same year, both nations celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations.[7]
High-level visits
[edit]High-level visits from Iceland to Mexico[2][8][9][4]
- Prime Minister Steingrímur Hermannsson (1985)
- President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (1998, 2004, 2008)
- Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson (1999)
High-level visits from Mexico to Iceland[2][6]
- Senator María del Rosario Guzmán Avilés (2017)
- Foreign Undersecretary Carmen Moreno Toscano (2024)
Bilateral agreements
[edit]Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Agriculture (2000); Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (2005); Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and Prevent Tax Evasion in the Matter of Income Taxes (2008); Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen and promote bilateral technical cooperation in geothermal development (2015); and an Agreement on Air Services (2021).[10]
Trade
[edit]In 2001, Mexico signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association, which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In 2023, two-way trade between Iceland and Mexico amounted to US$16.9 million.[11] Iceland's main exports to Mexico include: splints or other items and fracture appliances; telephones and mobile phones; parts and accessories for machines; fish fats and oil; frozen, preserved fish and caviar; hand adjustment keys; chemical based products; and petroleum oil. Mexico's main exports to Iceland include: motor vehicles for the transport of goods, axles and cranks, data processing machines, machinery parts, telephones and mobile phones, tools, plastic, margarine, coffee, and alcohol.[11]
Accredited diplomatic missions
[edit]- Iceland is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains honorary consulates in Campeche City and Mexico City.[12]
- Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: Mexico
- ^ a b c d e Establecimiento de Relaciones Diplomáticas entre México e Islandia (in Spanish)
- ^ Oddsson in Mexico
- ^ a b Destaca Calderón cooperación con Islandia para el desarrollo (in Spanish)
- ^ Forsetahjónin fara til Mexíkó (in Icelandic)
- ^ a b México participa en la 4ª Cumbre de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno del Consejo de Europa (in Spanish)
- ^ Hoy conmemoramos el 60 aniversario del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre México e Islandia (in Spanish)
- ^ Forseti Íslands heimsækir fyrirtæki í Mexíkó (in Icelandic)
- ^ Ólafur Ragnar og forseti Mexíkó áttu fund um sjávarútvegsmál (in Icelandic)
- ^ Bilateral agreements between Mexico and Iceland (in Spanish)
- ^ a b Data México: Iceland
- ^ Embassy of Iceland to the United States
- ^ Embassy of Mexico in Denmark
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