Sarkozy to Mexico to join forces in the international arena
March 6, 2009 by
Filed under Politics
PARIS (AFP) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy, begins Sunday in Mexico for an official visit “to join forces at the international level, especially in the upcoming G20 summit in London on the global crisis and the relationship with Cuba as a source of Elysée.
A case of a French woman convicted of the Mexican justice to 60 years in prison for kidnapping will also be addressed in the talks with President Sarkozy of Mexico Felipe Calderón, told the press the same source of the palace. France has “the desire to strengthen cooperation and join forces in the international arena” with Mexico, a country with which it maintains a “political no clouds,” said the source who requested anonymity.
He stated that France is working “shoulder to shoulder” with Mexico for the G8 to become G13 on a permanent basis and recalled that Mexico is currently the coordinator of the G5 (China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Argentina).
The next meeting is April 2 in London’s G20 summit, the G8 together with the major emerging countries, to which Mexico and Paris seek “closer together”.
We also talk about Cuba after the “starting point” meant that the recent mission in Havana, former French Socialist minister Jack Lang, said the source who denied that Paris is preparing a presidential trip to the island. “No visit to Cuba in preparation,” he said.
On Wednesday, after reporting to Sarkozy on his mission, Lang said that “prepares a presidential visit” but clarified that the president “has not yet taken any decision.”
“Mexico has always had a very careful policy towards Cuba, and President Sarkozy will listen carefully to” what you say Calderon, said the source of the Elysée questioned whether France and Mexico are working together on Cuba.
In any case highlighted the “unanimity” of Latin America to demand the lifting of the embargo the U.S. imposed on Cuba since 1962.
Sarkozy and Calderon, who will meet Sunday night at a “private and relaxed” along with his wife, Carla Bruni, Margarita Zavala, will meet four times on Monday, during the official agenda of the visit.
The case of Florence Cassez, the French 34 years on appeal on Tuesday sentenced in Mexico to 60 years in prison for kidnapping, is also among the topics the two leaders discussed.
“Florence Cassez can choose between an action on appeal or request a transfer to a French prison, as permitted in international force, said the source.
This visit, Sarkozy will go with three contracts under the arm, one on building a factory for vaccines and another on installing security cameras in the City and a third on the sale of helicopters.
In Australia-France relations “everything is perfect but there is an achievement gap,” said the source.
Mexico is the fourth largest trading partner of France in the entire Western Hemisphere, behind the United States, Brazil and Canada, with a volume of 2660 million in bilateral trade (according to 2006 figures).
A total of 300 French firms established in Mexico registered a turnover of 12,000 million dollars and generates about 80,000 jobs.
The official agenda will start on Monday, when Sarkozy, who will be accompanied by several ministers, including Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, is received at the National Palace in Mexico.
Then attend a formal sitting of the Senate and will meet with the mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard.
Responsible for large French companies will be part of the delegation will attend a bilateral business meeting.
