05/12/2007 President
"Mexico is a valuable partner for the Council of Europe as regards the promotion of the organisation's fundamental values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law beyond the European continent", declared René van der Linden at the end of his official visit to Mexico (Mexico City and Monterrey, 30 November - 4 December 2007).
PACE President hailed the mutually beneficial relations between the Council of Europe and Mexico, which enjoys the observer status with the organisation. The contribution of the Mexican observer delegation to Parliamentary Assembly is highly appreciated, included on concrete issues such as violence against women.
During this visit, discussions concentrated on issues regarding migration and integration of migrants, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, violence against women, trafficking in human beings, the fight against terrorism and the human rights consequences of the climate change.
Mr van der Linden welcomed the clear position of Mexico againt the death penalty and its support for a world-wide ban on death penalty.
PACE President also stressed the importance of further progress on European integration. Unified and strong Europe is in the interest of Mexico to strenthen its trans-atlantic relations, said René van der Linden.
In Mexico City, PACE President received a welcome in plenary session of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives, met the Speakers of both Chambers, representatives of different political forces in the Parliament and Committee Chairmen, held meetings with the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Special Federal Prosecutor for crimes related to violence against women, representatives of human rights NGOs and held an exchange of views with students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
In Monterrey, PACE President held meetings and exchanges of views with the Governor of the State of Nuevo Leon, Mayors of Monterrey, San Pedro and several other cities of the State, consular representatives, representatives of NGOs, students of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon and Mexican graduates of US Universities. He also held meetings in the framework of the Monterrey 2007 International Forum of Cultures.