Vibrant Tones

How do you assess the current state of the relations between Lebanon and Mexico?

2015 This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Mexico. Our relationship is mature and vibrant, nurtured by constant political dialogue, increasing trade and investment flows, and a desire to cooperate in a progressively widening number of developmental areas. Together we have witnessed seven decades of friendship, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual trust. Relations between Mexico and Lebanon offer a vivid example of hard work, shared values, and confidence building for the future. The 70 years of common history are witness to that. Endowed with such a legacy, the two countries will now aim higher in this most valued relationship.

What are the main highlights of your visit to Lebanon, and your Lebanese counterpart to Mexico?

I went to Lebanon to further enhance our bilateral relationship with the country, bearing in mind that Mexico is home to close to half a million people of Lebanese origin, an important force in our economy, society, and culture. The Lebanese diaspora is no doubt the most visible and dynamic bridge between our countries today, and will continue to be an essential asset for our shared development in the future. In addition to my visit last February, Mexico had the honor of hosting Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Mr. Gebran Bassil. On that occasion, Minister Bassil and I discussed important bilateral and regional issues, and signed agreements on how to foster a deeper knowledge of our respective societies and cultures. We also agreed on various programs that will draw our respective diplomatic academies closer together, and will also allow us to share better practices relating to the protection of our nationals living abroad. With my visit to your beautiful country, we plan to follow up on those initiatives and have added others to strengthen our cooperation, facilitate our trade and investment relations, turn our markets into preferred entry points to the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean, respectively, and promote more frequent parliamentary contacts.

How do you envision the future of bilateral relations and what areas of cooperation will you focus on particularly over the coming years?

Mexico and Lebanon have long enjoyed friendly relations, and the two nations have profited from this significantly. However, the level of development and modernization of our economies offer us great potential and possibilities that we must be able to develop and take advantage of for the benefit of our peoples. Frequent high-level political dialogue is an asset to both countries, and will allow us to identify new areas of collaboration, and successfully address any challenges we may face. Our respective private sectors have also set out to increase their involvement in a number of attractive sectors in each other’s markets, such as agriculture, telecommunications, energy, and pharmaceuticals. To spearhead specific projects, during my visit, a Mexico-Lebanon Business Forum took place in Beirut, with the active participation of key Mexican and Mexican-Lebanese entrepreneurs. Mexico is also aware of the lively cultural scene in Lebanon. Various Lebanese figures, living in this country or elsewhere, have claimed worldwide attention in many fields. This is the case, for instance, of writers such as Hoda Barakat, Elias Khoury, and Lena Merhej; designers Nicolas Jebran and Elie Saab; architects Nabil Gholam and Hashim Sarkis; or artists such as Juliana Seraphim, Saliba Douaihy, or the Armenian Lebanese painter Paul Guiragossian. Such cultural blooming is also evident in Mexico. We are decided determined to bring more Mexican culture to Lebanon, and to promote cultural events that will showcase our history, traditions, and current artistic innovation. We take inspiration in Minister Bassil’s phrase “Our border is the world,“ the slogan of the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference 2014; an event that reinforces the bonds between Lebanese residents and emigrants worldwide. Mexicans of Lebanese origin, and indeed Mexicans themselves, believe borders pose no limits to creativity and community.