Envoys says Canada, Mexico relationship ‘stagnant’ as Harper visit approaches

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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands next to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto during a memorial service for Nelson Mandela Tuesday December 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He felt the love in Israel, but when Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in Mexico later this month, he\'ll be met by an undercurrent of resentment from a continental neighbour that feels spurned by Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – Mexico’s ambassador to Canada says relations between the two countries have grown “stagnant” and have lost their dynamism.

Ambassador Francisco Suarez offered that assessment in a speech to university students and academics in Ottawa as Canada and Mexico celebrated the 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement and 70 years of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in Mexico later this month for a bilateral visit with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

They will be joined later by U.S. President Barack Obama for a so-called Three Amigos summit.

Suarez says NAFTA has generated export-driven growth, but the prosperity has not been equally shared in his country.

He also says Canada largely ignores Mexico, focusing its attention on the United States and Britain.

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