MEXICO FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Mexico's Foreign Affairs Minister Patricia
Espinosa is leading a six-member delegation for a one-day visit to Malaysia
Thursday.

The delegation is scheduled to arrive at the KL International Airport (KLIA)
in Sepang Wednesday night for the visit.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
said the visit was her first to Malaysia in her capacity as the President of the
16th United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (COP 16), which will
be held in Cancun, Mexico from Nov 29 until Dec 10.

While here, Espinosa and her delegation would call on Acting Foreign
Minister Mustapha Mohamed at his office in Putrajaya at 8.30am Thursday.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman is currently away for an official
assignment.

Espinosa is scheduled to hold a working meeting with Natural Resources
and
Environment Minister Unggah Embas at the latter's office in Putrajaya
at 2.30pm.

"The meeting is expected to dwell on issues pertaining to the global climate
change and Malaysia's role and contribution in sustaining the balanced
eco-system," the statement said.

The meeting may also touch on the preparations made for the COP16 in Cancun,
Mexico.

Malaysia's relation with Mexico dates back to March 27, 1974 when the two
countries officially established diplomatic relations.

In 1991, Mexico opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur while Malaysia opened its
mission in Mexico City a year later.

Since then, bilateral relations between both countries remain cordial and
trade volume has been flourishing over the past few years with the balance of
trade in favour of Malaysia.

Last year, Mexico trade volume with Malaysia amounts to US$4,172.68
billion.

A large proportion of the trade volume is on Mexico's import of Malaysian
goods and products which accounts for USD4.035 billion in 2009.

-- BERNAMA