Background and Current Relationship
The Mexico-European Union (EU) relationship has been governed by the Economic Association Agreement, Political Dialogue Concertation, and Cooperation Agreement since December 1997. Known as the Global Agreement, it came into force in 2000 and has been considered the most ambitious agreement between the EU and a third country. For Mexico, it remains the most profound international instrument in economic, political, and cooperative matters.
Evolution of the Mexico-EU Partnership
In 2008, the EU recognized Mexico as a strategic partner, aiming to strengthen political dialogue, especially in multilateral settings. The Mexico-EU Strategic Partnership advanced further in 2010 with the Joint Executive Plan of the Strategic Partnership, which provided content and addressed international, birregional, and bilateral topics. Although this document had a political scope only, it served as the foundation for preparing the Joint Vision Document, which initiated formal negotiations to modernize the Global Agreement in June 2016.
Modernization of the Global Agreement
Debates arose regarding whether to create a new agreement or modernize the existing Global Agreement. From the start of negotiations until its final conclusion in January 2025, the term “modernized Global Agreement” was used. However, after adopting the EU Council Decision for signing the new agreement on September 3, 2025, the term “Strategic Association Agreement in Political, Economic, and Cooperation Matters between the European Union and its Member States, on one hand, and the United Mexican States, on the other” was coined.
Significance of the Strategic Association Agreement
Adopting the term “Strategic Association” to refer to the new bilateral relationship instrument between Mexico and the EU is significant for two reasons: first, it gives legal standing to the term, and second, it affirms the prioritization of political dialogue in the relationship. Moreover, there is a clear distinction between the existing Global Agreement and the one expected to be signed in February 2026.
Josef Síkela’s Visit to Mexico
From October 14-16, 2025, Josef Síkela, the European Commission’s Director-General for Strategic Partnerships, visited Mexico to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, sustainable transportation, circular economy, and green finance. This visit aimed to align the EU’s Global Gateway Project with Mexico’s Plan and its internationalization, further boosting the process leading to the new agreement’s signing.
Redefining Political Dialogue in the Mexico-EU Relationship
The new strategic dimension of the Mexico-EU Association necessitates rethinking, reinforcing, and rescaling various political dialogues between Mexico and the EU. This is especially important for those that have weakened, reduced, or marginalized due to the Global Agreement modernization process. The international challenges require an active presence of diverse actors and a more horizontal, ambitious, and democratic vision in the Mexico-EU relationship.
About Luis Antonio Huacuja Acevedo
*Luis Antonio Huacuja Acevedo is an academic, consultant, and specialist in the Mexico-EU relationship.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current relationship between Mexico and the EU? The relationship is governed by the Global Agreement, signed in 1997 and in force since 2000. It is considered the most ambitious agreement between the EU and a third country for Mexico.
- What is the significance of the Strategic Association Agreement? The term “Strategic Association” gives legal standing to the new bilateral relationship instrument between Mexico and the EU, emphasizing political dialogue prioritization and distinguishing it from the existing Global Agreement.
- Who is Josef Síkela, and what was the purpose of his visit to Mexico? Josef Síkela is the European Commission’s Director-General for Strategic Partnerships. His visit aimed to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, sustainable transportation, circular economy, and green finance, aligning the EU’s Global Gateway Project with Mexico’s Plan and its internationalization.
- Why is it necessary to redefine political dialogues in the Mexico-EU relationship? The international challenges require an active presence of diverse actors and a more horizontal, ambitious, and democratic vision in the Mexico-EU relationship. This redefinition aims to reinforce and rescale various political dialogues between the two parties.
