Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for the Entry into Force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

March 3, 2005

1. An exchange of diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement (Agreement between Japan and the United Mexican States for the Strengthening of the Economic Partnership) took place in Mexico on Thursday, March 3 (Wednesday, March 2, local time), between Japanese Ambassador to Mexico Mutsuyoshi Nishimura and Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista of Mexico. With this exchange of diplomatic notes, the EPA will enter into force on April 1, 2005.
2. The EPA establishes a legal framework that promotes a comprehensive economic partnership including cooperation in the areas of competition policy, improvement of the business environment, human resources development and assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as enhancing the bilateral economic partnership between Japan and Mexico by promoting trade and investment liberalization and the free movement of business-related personnel between the two countries.
3. It is expected that the EPA's entry into force will further vitalize the economies of both countries, with the bilateral economic partnership between Japan and Mexico strengthened in a wide range of areas, as the two countries take full advantage of their inherent mutual complementarities.