Mexican Naval Ship’s Visit Marks Milestone of Diplomatic Relations with Belize

It’s a celebration of thirty-five years of friendship! Our friends from the North are celebrating that anniversary by bringing their prestigious naval vessel for a ceremonial visit. The Embassy of Mexico also announced that a special program has been prepared to commemorate this anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and Belize.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Today, Belize and Mexico celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations. Considered a powerful neighbor and friend, Mexico was first to establish diplomatic relations with the newly independent Belize back on September twenty-first, 1981. To celebrate this anniversary, the Mexican Embassy had the ceremonial visit of the “ARM Bicentenario de la Independencia” vessel from the Mexican Navy. The “Independencia,” an oceanic patrol, docked at the Belize City Port where a brief ceremony was held.

Carlos Quesnel-Melendez

Carlos Quesnel-Melendez, Mexican Ambassador to Belize

“This has been a relationship characterized above all by mutual respect. Over the years, the support has been unwavering. It has also translated itself into enthusiasm for Mexico to collaborate in the development of this nation, primarily in the areas of education, health and security. Our bilateral relationship has recently been strengthened by two visits—the visit of two distinguished Belizeans to Mexico City. The first was by Minister Elrington when we were able to sign at least ten agreements; that have already contributed to update our bilateral legal framework that also provide the guidelines to standing negotiations in several important sectors for both countries.”

In his presentation, Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington says that both countries have shared a very stimulating and fruitful relationship over the three and a half decades. According to Elrington, the beginning of the next thirty-five years will see a transformation between both countries, despite pending issues in relation to Belize’s border with Mexico, an extradition framework and the ease of doing business.

Wilfred Elrington

Wilfred Elrington, Foreign Minister

“We have been having lots of interests from our Mexican friends to do more in our country—particularly in relation to trade. There is a tremendous interest for the Mexican business people to do trade with Belizeans and we have had a number of meetings to that end. We have a mixed commission that meets from time to time with a view to strengthening that relationship. Mexico has been responsible for the provision of parks to Belize; they have given us parks, they have given us schools….as a matter of fact they are presently constructing vessels for our naval forces. They have assisted us in times of disaster; they have assisted us in a myriad of ways and we are most grateful to them for all that they have given us.”

Duane Moody for News Five.