The International success of Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy: a new platform for cooperation with Mexico

Today, a large Mexican community lives around the world, particularly in the United States of America. At present, around 40 million Mexicans live in the United States alone. It is no coincidence that this figure makes the Mexican diaspora one of the largest and most influential in the world. The diaspora plays an important role in Mexico’s economy, contributes to the growth of the country’s international prestige, and promotes its culture and national interests abroad. That is why the Mexican state attaches great importance to diaspora policy and considers strengthening ties with its citizens living abroad to be one of the important directions of national policy.

The working visit of Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Work with Diaspora, to the United Mexican States is of great importance for the development of Azerbaijani-Mexican relations, the deepening of cooperation in the field of diaspora affairs, and can be regarded as a new step in diaspora diplomacy.

The meetings, discussions, and events held as part of the rich and multifaceted program contributed to the further strengthening of mutual trust between the two countries, the expansion of ties, and the elevation of humanitarian cooperation to a new level.

The meetings held during the visit with a number of high-ranking officials, including Tatiana Clouthier, head of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, members of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, senior officials of the foreign relations committees of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies and the Mexican Senate, as well as members of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies within the framework of the first meeting of the Mexico-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, served to strengthen institutional dialogue between the sides and were marked by a warm and constructive exchange of views.

During discussions with Pedro Vázquez González, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, and members of the committee, as well as with Senator Yeidckol Polevnsky, chair of the Mexican Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee for the Asia-Pacific Region, and Ambassador Octavio Tripp, Acting Deputy Foreign Minister of the United Mexican States and Director General for Europe at the Ministry, Azerbaijan’s position as a reliable and strategic partner in the region was emphasized. Confidence was expressed that the meeting would contribute to the activities of the diaspora.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Work with Diaspora and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States, through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, was remembered as an important outcome of the committee chairman’s visit to Mexico. The memorandum provides for strengthening support for the activities of Azerbaijani and Mexican communities living abroad, protecting their rights and interests, encouraging social and cultural integration, and implementing joint projects in the fields of education, culture, media, and public diplomacy. The document further strengthens the legal and institutional foundations of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Mexico in the field of diaspora affairs and defines prospects for the joint development of our countries in this area.

One of the most memorable and significant moments of the visit was the meeting with Azerbaijanis living in Mexico. At the event, which took place in a very warm atmosphere and with high morale, the screening of a film reflecting the historic speeches of President Ilham Aliyev, the resilience of our people in their struggle, and the joy of the great victory was met with prolonged applause from the participants. The film once again demonstrated the national unity of the Azerbaijani people, their attachment to the Motherland, and their victorious spirit.

At meetings with both officials and members of the community, the chairman of the committee spoke in detail about the main priorities of diaspora policy, which has been further developed under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the activities of the committee, its projects and programs, and the results achieved within the framework of international cooperation. It was brought to attention that every Azerbaijani living abroad is at the center of the state’s attention and that the Azerbaijani state always stands by our compatriots.

Seymur Fataliyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Mexican States, took part in the meetings.

The visit of the chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora to the United Mexican States serves as an important platform for intensifying the activities of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Latin American region, expanding ties with the local community and various institutions, and creates a favorable opportunity to strengthen relations on issues of mutual interest.

It should be added that the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, which currently carries out systematic work with Azerbaijani communities in more than 70 countries around the world, has signed memoranda of understanding on diaspora activities with the relevant state bodies of Romania, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Mexico. These documents make an important contribution to strengthening the mutual exchange of experience and forming a solid foundation for long-term strategic partnership.

All this allows us to conclude that consistent and well-considered steps are being taken in the diaspora policy of the Azerbaijani state toward global cooperation with developed countries, and that the result-oriented, clockwork-like principle applied today will pave the way for achieving key successes in the field of diaspora affairs.