Ireland–Mexico relations

Ireland–Mexico relations

Ireland
Mexico

Ireland–Mexico relations refer to relations between Ireland and Mexico. The relationship has been often associated with the Irish migration to Mexico. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations and World Trade Organization.

History

Embassy of Mexico in Dublin
Commemorative plaque placed at the San Jacinto Plaza in Mexico City. It states: "In memory of the Irish soldiers of the heroic St. Patrick's Battalion, martyrs who gave their lives for Mexico during the unjust invasion by the United States of 1847."

During Spanish colonization of Mexico, several Spanish Viceroy's were of Irish descent such as Juan O'Donojú who was the last Spanish Viceroy.[1] Since Mexican independence, many Irish have immigrated to Mexico and have contributed to its culture and development.[2] During the Mexican–American War (1846–1848), many Irish immigrants in the United States abandoned their posts and joined Mexican forces because of what they felt was discrimination and persecution of their Catholic faith by non-Catholic Americans.[3] One of the most popular Irish battalions during the war was that of the St. Patrick's Battalion which fought on the Mexican side during the Battle of Buena Vista and Battle of Churubusco in 1847, among others.[4]

On 10 January 1974, both nations established diplomatic relations.[5] At first, Mexico was accredited to Ireland from its embassy in London and Ireland was accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, DC. In 1990, both nations agreed to open resident diplomatic missions and in June 1991, Mexico opened its embassy on Raglan Road, Dublin and Ireland followed suit by opening its embassy in Mexico City in September 1999.[5]

The Irish and Mexican presidents Michael D. Higgins and Enrique Peña Nieto held a bilateral meeting in Rome on 20 March 2013, the day after the papal inauguration of Pope Francis. Peña Nieto invited Higgins to visit Mexico,[6] and the Irish president began a four-day official visit on 19 October 2013 as part of a three-nation trip to Central America.[7][8]

In 2015, both nations celebrated 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.

State visits

Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Mexico[5][9][10][11]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Ireland

Trade

In 1997, Mexico signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union (which includes Ireland). Mexico was Ireland's 21st largest export market in 2007. In 2014, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $1,846 billion USD.[12] Ireland's main exports to Mexico include: pharmaceutical and health products such as medicines, machines and chemicals; milk based products and electronics while Mexico's main exports to Ireland include: artery and veins prosthetics, alcohol (beer), lemons, airplane parts and circuits.[12] In 2008, the Irish Government opened an Enterprise Ireland office in Mexico.[13][14]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ↑ History of Juan O'Donojú (Spanish)
  2. ↑ The Irish in Mexico (Spanish)
  3. ↑ The Irish Soldiers of Mexico
  4. ↑ The Irish heroes of Mexico
  5. 1 2 3 History of bilateral relations between Mexico and Ireland (Spanish)
  6. ↑ Reuniones bilaterales del Presidente Peña Nieto en Roma México: Presidencia de la República, 2013-03-20. (Spanish)
  7. ↑ President Higgins makes Official Visits to Mexico, El Salvador And Costa Rica Áras an Uachtaráin, 2013-10-18.
  8. ↑ Irish President Visits Mexico, El Salvador, and Costa Rica The Costa Rica News, 2013-10-18.
  9. ↑ President Vicente Fox welcomed His Excellency Mr. Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland
  10. ↑ President Fox Meets the Main Irish NGOs and Leaders of Opposition Parties
  11. ↑ Ahern in Mexico for two-day summit
  12. 1 2 Mexican Ministry of Economy: Ireland (in Spanish)
  13. ↑ Trade between Mexico and Ireland (Spanish)
  14. ↑ Ireland-Mexico trade in figures (Spanish)
  15. ↑ Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City
  16. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Dublin

External links

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