Saudi-Mexican ties remain robust

RIYADH: Mexican Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Arturo Trejo expressed on Tuesday his deepest condolences over the Makkah tragedy in which more than 100 people lost their lives and many others were injured.

The ambassador was speaking on his country’s 205th Independence Day anniversary function that he had hosted.
“In the name of the government and people of Mexico, I express deepest condolences to the government and people of Saudi Arabia and of all the other countries involved,” Trejo said while addressing a large gathering that included Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and the diplomatic corps in the capital.
He said that just two days ago, on Sept. 13, another tragic incident occurred to a group of Mexican tourists in Egypt. “As Mexicans we all feel affected and very sorry for the dead and the injured.”
“Saudi Arabia is a country with which Mexico has deep and friendly relations and where I feel at home,” he said, adding this is an occasion to celebrate not only the independence of Mexico but also the ties of friendship and common values that bind our nations together.”
It is also an opportunity “to rejoice ourselves about the enhancement and improvement of our bilateral ties. Besides an excellent diplomatic and political relationship, we enjoy a growing commercial exchange in the order of 1.3 billion dollars a year.”
According to him, Mexico and Saudi Arabia are exerting efforts to come closer by expanding cooperation in all fields by harnessing the immense potential in their mutual interest.
He continued: “Last year we had a couple of high level ministerial visits and this January one of a parliamentarian delegation from Mexico. We are honored by the visit of Assistant Minister of Defense, retired Gen. Mohammed Al-Aish on behalf of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense.”
He said that in October, they will have a joint visit of the foreign and economic ministers. And the crowning of these efforts will be a visit of the president of Mexico scheduled for January next year.
“Such a high-profile visit will be instrumental in strengthening our bilateral relations, both economically and politically,” he said.
Mexico is a member of the G-20, which groups the 20 largest economies in the world. Its GDP amounts to $1.2 trillion, making it Latin America’s second largest, fourth in the Americas and 14th in the world.