UNITED NATIONS Distr. GENERAl GENERAL A/9640 ASSEMBLY 28 May 1974 ENGLISH ORIGINAL: SPANISH

Twenty-ninth session Item 37 of the preliminary list*

H1PLEI1ENTATION OF THE DECLARATION ON THE STRENGTHENING OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Letter dated 23 May 1974 from the Permanent RePresentatives of and Mexico to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

We have the honour to transmit the annexed joint communique, signed at Venice on 10 February 1974, on the occasion of the State visit which, at the invitation of the President of the Italian Republic, H.E. Mr. Giovanni Leone, the Constitutional President of the United Mexican States, H.E. Dr. Luis Echeverria Alvarez, paid to Italy from 8 to 10 February.

He should be grateful if you would have the text of the joint communique circulated as an official General Assembly document in connexion with the item "Implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security".

(Signed) Alfonso GARCIA ROBLES (Signed) Eugenio PLAJA Ambassador Ambassador Permanent Representative of Mexico Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations to the United Nations

* A/9600/Rev .1.

74-14121 / ••• A/9640 English Annex Page l

ANNEX

Joint Italian-Mexican communique issued at Venice on 10 February 1974

At the invitation of the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giovanni Leone, the Constitutional President of the United Mexican States, Mr. Luis Echeverria Alvarez, paid a State visit to Italy, from 8 to 10 February 1974.

During that visit, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, the two heads of State exchanged views on the international situation and considered in detail questions of particular interest to the two countries, both those relating to the world community and those concerning their bilateral relations. President Echeverria also held talks with the head of the Government, Mr. . The Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Emilio 0. Rabasa and Mr. , took part in the talks, together with other members of both Governments.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent way in which relations are developing between Mexico and Italy, and stressed the common aspirations of the two countries, which share the same cultural origin and the same dedication to freedom, independence, democracy and social justice.

They agreed that dialogue between the great Powers is no longer enough for the consolidation of peace and harmony throughout the world, but that the active participation in the decision-making process of all States - large, medium-sized and small - and above all the pooling of the efforts of all States to close the gap between the least favoured and the industrialized nations are essential, since the Gxistence of that cap is the cause of the instability currently afflicting the world.

After hearing President Echeverria's statement on the charter of economic rights and duties of States that Mexico had proposed at the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development a/ as an instrument to promote genuine international co-operation and shared development, President Leone told him that he was convinced of the supreme importance of that instrument for the urgent task of reorganizing international economic relations as rapidly as possible and on appropriate and equitable bases. He assured him that Italy would stress to the members of the European Economic Community the need for the adoption of that document at the next session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. He likewise reiterated the determination of the Italian Government to work actively and positively in the "Grcup of 4o" which the United Nations has entrusted with the drafting of the proposed charter.

~ See Proceedings of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Third Session, vol. I (a), part one, Summaries of statements by heads of delegations (United Nations publication, Sales No.: E.73.II.D.Mim.l, part one, p. 186, para. 13). I . .. A/9640 English Annex Page 2

President Echeverria told President Leone that Mexico intended to establish links with the European Economic Community in order to increase and diversify its trade, stimulate economic and technological co-operation, and encourage capital investment from member countries of the Community. Italy expressed interest in and sympathy for those aims, and gave assurances that it would concern itself with their achievement. Mexico expressed its keen appreciation of the Italian position.

With regard to bilateral relations, both sides recognized the usefulness and interest of the political talks between Italy and Mexico held at Mexico City in February 1973, and agreed that such talks should be held regularly. They also agreed that the next meeting should take place at in the forthcoming months. On that occasion, all the matters raised between the heads of State and government will be discussed in depth by the delegations of the two countries.

They expressed their interest in increasing the volume of trade between them, considered ways and means of increasing exports with a view to achieving a more equal balance of trade, and noted the possibility of establishing in Mexico, with Mexican and Italian capital and technology, new joint undertakings on mutually beneficial terms. They recognized the usefulness of establishing a direct air link operated by companies of both countries. These matters, and others of bilateral economic importance, will also be considered at the next meeting at Rome.

The Presidents noted that cultural, scientific and technological co-operation between Mexico and Italy had become more organized and had considerably increased since the entry into force of the 1970 cultural agreement. They also noted with satisfaction the implementation of the agreements establishing the special programme for young technicians and the direct technical training programme, and decided to give even greater impetus to that important binational effort. In view of the positive results of co-operation between the two countries on technical training, they decided to establish in Mexico the Italian-Mexican Centre of Technological Studies, the essential aim of which will be jointly to train technicians and skilled workers who will contribute to the industrial development of Mexico.

President Echeverria expressed interest in Italy's experience of integral development for the least favoured areas. Italy expressed its whole-hearted desire to co-operate in this matter, on the basis of the experience acquired by the Cassa del Mezzogiorno (Fund for the Development of ).

In order to ensure greater efficiency in the technical co-operation programmes arranged between the two countries, they decided to promote the teaching and wider knowledge of the Italian language by establishing the Italian-Mexican School and arranging for substantial co-operation in the Foreign Languages Laboratory of Mexico.

President Echeverria and President Leone welcomed the opportunity that Mexico, the other Latin American countries and Italy have to broaden their friendly relations and active co-operation through the Italian-Latin American Institute I ... A/9640 English Annex Page 3 established at Rome, and expressed the desire that this joint Latin enterprise should make effective use of its facilities and resources for the cultural, economic and social development of the member countries.

During his stay in Italy, Pr~sident Echeverria and the Mexican delegation visited several industrial complexes and places of historic interest. Among the latter was the monument to Benito Juarez which Italy had erected on the occasion of the centenary of the great man's death. President Echeverria, the Mexican delegation and the Italian authorities paid a solemn tribute to his memory. President Echeverria also visited Vicenza.

President Echeverria thanked President Leone for the warm and friendly welcome extended to him during his stay in Italy, and cordially invited him to visit Mexico when his State responsibilities permitted.

President Leone accepted the invitation, and the date will be set through diplomatic channels.