Address by Ambassador Juan José González
Mijares
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| The event was featured on Page 2 of the Jamaica Observer |
-Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson
Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
-Honourable Ministers of
the Cabinet, Ministers of State and High Officials of the Government of
Jamaica,
-President
of the Senate and members of Parliament,
-Members
of the Diplomatic, Consular Corps and International Organisations,
-Representatives
from Civil and Government Institutions
-Members
from the private sector, academia and the press
-Queridos
compatriotas
-Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
On behalf of the
Government of Mexico, my wife Guadalupe and the members of the Embassy, I am
pleased to welcome you to this reception to celebrate the Anniversary of
Mexico’s Independence.
I wish to specially
recognise the presence of Senator Kamina Johnson Smith who continues to
highlight the importance of Mexico and its ties with Jamaica.
Two hundred and nine
years ago, in September 1810, Mexico initiated the journey for its
Independence. On this day, we celebrate the “night and day of Liberty”, a
long-standing practice that we enact on this occasion wherever Mexicans live
around the world.
We are a proud nation
that has enriched its Independence from the roots of its original indigenous
groups and civilizations, the Western World and its openness to the
international community to become the 15th largest economy in the
world, the largest Spanish speaking country and the 8th most visited
tourist destination in 2018.
We are a country of multiple
identities: Mexico belongs to North America, it is a Latin-American country, a
Pacific Rim state and it is also a part of the Caribbean.
Our relationship with
Jamaica goes back 53 years and is the most important and institutionalized in
the Anglo-Saxon Caribbean. Mexico will continue
to work with Jamaica as a priority area for its political dialogue, economic
diversification and a privileged zone for its technical cooperation.
Since Guadalupe and I
arrived in Jamaica a year and a half ago, we have had the opportunity to visit
the country and get a better understanding of the people, the cultures, the dynamic
economy, its political institutions and international profile. We are also
very glad and thankful to have made very good friends along the way.
In June of this year
Jamaica chaired the Ninth Meeting of the Mexico-Jamaica Binational Commission
where we review our political dialogue, trade and economic prospects, as well
as technical and cultural cooperation.
On this matter, allow me
to specially thank the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, and Undersecretary for
Bilateral, Regional and Hemispheric Affairs, Ambassador Alison Stone-Roofe and
their team, for the successful conclusion of this Binational Commission.
The cornerstone of our
political dialogue is our shared commitment to regional and global
responsibility, the respect for international law and the strength of multilateralism.
At the meeting we discussed the acute challenges facing the world: Climate Change, Transnational Crime, Trade
Disputes, Disarmament, Terrorism and Migration; and that need to work together
at the bilateral and multilateral levels, to find, through dialogue and
cooperation, the best possible solutions to these complex issues, thereby
enhancing our global governance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Jamaica is an
increasingly important destination for Mexican companies. Their presence is
growing in the tourism, airport management and construction sectors. For
example, the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) concluded a successful bid
for a PPP with Jamaican authorities to operate Norman Manley International Airport
as of October.
ARENDAL, an energy
company from Monterrey, has just concluded the construction of the first gas
duct built in Jamaica, in the parish of Clarendon. And new projects in the hotel sector are to
begin this year.
In order to boost new
investment projects, we will soon start the negotiation of a bilateral Agreement
for the Protection and Promotion of Investment. We will also work, through a
technical group, towards establishing direct air connectivity and multi
destination tourist initiatives.
Mexico’s scientific and
educational cooperation remain an important pillar of our relations. In 2018 we
inaugurated the Mexican Chair at the University of the West Indies, Mona
Campus. We expect the second edition to begin in the spring of 2020 and reinforce
the collaboration of UWI and UTECH with the National Autonomous University of
Mexico.
With regard to technical
cooperation, for the 2020-2021 cycle,
we have selected 9
projects in the fields of maritime security, agriculture, irrigation and
geospatial data management. I must also highlight the beginning of an innovative
triangular cooperation between Mexico`s National Council of Evaluation CONEVAL,
the PIOJ and UNICEF on the multi-dimensional measurement of poverty and the
evaluation of public policies in the social field.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A few days ago I was
asked by a journalist if I already had some knowledge about the culture in
Jamaica? “A mi fi tell yuh”, I said.
It’s been a delightful experience in music, dancing, cuisine, street art, sports
and landscapes in communities of St Elizabeth, Port Antonio, the Blue Mountains
and Negril. Now we know better: from Bob Marley to Buju Banton; from Beres Hammond
to Beenie Man and Chronixx.
It will be a privilege
for me to help to introduce all these elements of Jamaican culture to Mexico
and, of course be instrumental to bringing the art and cultures of Mexico to
Jamaica. Today we proudly present a gastronomical tour and a musical surprise
from Jalisco. I hope you enjoy both.
As
Koffee would say “Gratitude is a must”, I will now take the opportunity to
thank all the sponsors that made this wonderful moment possible: Moon Palace
Jamaica, CEMEX and Carib Cement, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, Wray &
Nephew, Dolphin Cove, ARENDAL, Margaretville, Secrets, Grand Palladium, Excellence,
Red Stripe, CPJ, Rosh Marketing, King Alarm and Mexico's Tequila Council for
their generous support of this important commemoration.
I would
also like to convey my appreciation to the staff of Moon Palace Jamaica for
preparing this delectable gastronomic display. Thank you Diana, Chefs Darío and
Luis Alfredo and all the team.
My gratitude
to the staff of the Embassy and the residence of Mexico in Jamaica and my wife
Guadalupe for all their effort and dedication.
Finally,
thanks to all of you for being here to celebrate with us another Anniversary of
the Independence of Mexico.
Thank you very much.
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