(1)

On 4 May 2016, the Council authorised the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to open negotiations and negotiate the modernisation of the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part (1). The negotiations were successfully concluded on 17 January 2025.

(2)

The negotiations resulted in two parallel legal instruments. The first instrument is the Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part, commonly referred to as the ‘Modernised Global Agreement’ (the ‘MGA’), which includes the political dialogue and cooperation pillar and the trade and investment pillar, including investment protection provisions. The second instrument is the Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union and the United Mexican States (the ‘ITA’), which covers trade and investment liberalisation. The ITA will cease to have effect and will be replaced by the MGA upon the entry into force of the latter.

(3)

The objective of the ITA is to foster increased and sustainable trade and investment between the Parties by expanding and diversifying their economic and trade relations and by creating new opportunities for workers and businesses alike, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, while contributing to the promotion of sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions.

(4)

Therefore, the ITA should be signed,