Mexican Presidential visit signals closer cooperation with UK

The UK and Mexico have re-affirmed their joint commitment to reaching an “ambitious, equitable, comprehensive and legally binding global agreement” on climate change at the 2015 Paris talks later this year.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK energy minister Matthew Hancock during a visit to Aberdeen.

The UK and Mexico also agreed to set up of a Steering Committee to deliver “targeted information sharing in order to support the sound future development of the energy sector in both Mexico and the UK”.

MoUs were also signed between UK Export Finance and the Mexican State Oil company Pemex, providing up to one billion dollars in credit to create opportunity for British businesses operating in Mexico.

The meetings came as the UK explores options to diversify oil supplies, due to the sanctions imposed on Russia following claims it had deployed troops to eastern Ukraine.

But while the UK Government held discussions over energy policy, it also faced pressure to raise concerns over alleged human rights abuses committed during the Mexican President’s so-called War on Drugs.

Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael met Peña Nieto, who was then introduced to senior representatives from UK oil and gas companies, including BP and Shell, which have both signed an agreement with Mexico’s investment promotion agency, ProMexico, to stimulate Mexico’s oil and gas supply chain.

The University of Aberdeen also reached an agreement with Pemex, signalling cooperation over “human capital development, capacity building and human capital development.”

Mike Hancock said: “Our Governments are one in our determination to tackle Climate Change and work together towards a global deal at the crunch climate talks in Paris at the end of this year.

“This is why it is important that, through tools like the 2050 Calculator, Mexico and the UK are able to plan and communicate to the public the need to go low-carbon and avoid the worst effects of climate change.”

“The President finished his visit at a Robert Gordon University energy education event with senior academics that included a demonstration of the Drilling and Advanced Rig Training simulator (DART).”​