Joint statement by the EFTA States and Mexico on the resumption of negotiations towards a modernised free trade agreement

The delegations resumed the modernisation negotiations, taking stock of the work completed up to June 2017 and reviewing where matters stood in each negotiating area.

During the first round of negotiations since their resumption, the delegations discussed trade in goods, rules of origin and customs procedures, trade facilitation, trade remedies, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade in services and investment, government procurement, intellectual property rights, competition and legal and horizontal issues, including dispute settlement.

The talks also addressed new areas such as digital trade, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and trade and sustainable development.

The EFTA States and Mexico welcome the resumption of negotiations and look forward to building on the work of this round as they continue their joint efforts to modernise the FTA and strengthen their longstanding trade relationship.

The EFTA States and Mexico signed the FTA in Mexico City on 27 November 2000. In force since 1 July 2001, the agreement has provided a framework for trade and investment between the two sides for 25 years.