Mexican Berenice Rendon Talavera left a mission in El Salvador to become Ukraine’s first ambassador in 2009.
Prior to that, Talavera set up a Mexican consulate in Las Vegas, Nevada, occupied senior posts in the Mexican government and was a part of the diplomatic mission in Cuba.
KP: The Mexican government sent you to Ukraine during the last year’s crisis, when some countries were closing down their international missions. Does Mexico see a value in Ukraine right now?
BT: Our embassy in Ukraine was opened in 2005 and the decision to send me was taken in 2008. It was a long diplomatic process unrelated to the crisis. Mexico is interested in Ukraine because of the size and the economy of the country.
First of all, [we are interested in] trade. We want to export more to Ukraine. Our trade balance is small, and it’s in deficit right now. We buy from Ukraine manufactured products as well as airplanes, helicopters, heavy machinery and turbines. But you almost don’t have any Mexican products. Grupo Industrial Maseca, a Mexican-based company with investments in the United States, Europe and China, is setting up its production in Ukraine. They see a potential in Ukraine’s domestic market.
KP: Do you see any similarities between Mexico and Ukraine in terms of having a big and powerful neighbor?
BT: Yes, that’s one of the things that struck me right away. It’s not easy dealing with a powerful neighbor all the time. But you can’t escape geography. You have to learn to live with your neighbor.
For many years, we had problems with the U.S., but in the last 25 years we improved our relationships. They are very dependent on us and we are dependent on them. I think Ukraine and Russia will have the same relationship with time, because, again, you can’t escape geography and historical destiny.
The difference is, however, that Ukraine has been a part of the Russian Empire in different periods of history. Mexico has never been a part of the U.S. On the contrary, most of the southwest of the U.S. was a part of Mexico that we lost in a war in the 19th century.
Around 20 million people of Mexican origin live in the U.S. Some people also don’t realize that many Mexicans that live in the U.S. didn’t cross the border. The border crossed them, when Mexican territory shrank during the Mexican-American war [in the 19th century].
KP: Mexico has high gross domestic product and strong economic growth indicators. Why is there still a big problem with immigration to the U.S.?
BT: In Mexico, we have people that have a lot of money and people that are extremely poor. Some 30 percent of our population lives in poverty. There are governmental programs that try to fight poverty. For example, the government gives money to the poor families that send their children to school. Many of the emigrants to the U.S. send money back to Mexico to help their families at home.
Some poor Mexican farmers go to the U.S, because American citizens don’t want to do those hard and low-paid jobs on the fields. But now if a Mexican has his father, mother, a cousin or a friend in the U.S., he knows that he can go there and has a house to stay in. And there is a job that he can get. So this became more like a circle.
KP: Mexico’s image in Ukraine is limited to tequila, sombreros and soap operas. Can you define what Mexico is all about?
BT: Mexico has a rich cultural and historical heritage. That’s where our character comes from. Unfortunately we have problems with poverty and drugs, and we recognize that. But with time we will come out as a strong country. In a way, Ukraine has the same problem. I can see that your country is also very rich in terms of culture and history, but little is known about that outside of Ukraine.
KP: Some newspapers quoted you saying that Mexico and Ukraine will cancel visas for each other. Is it true?
BT: That’s not what I said. Mexican officials are reviewing the procedures with many countries to make travel easier. The case of Ukraine remains at the level of discussions and I don’t know what will come out of it yet. The visa to Ukraine costs $50 for Mexicans.
We have made it very easy for Ukrainians to receive a Mexican visa for up to 5 years. It costs $34 and you can get it in one day. We also made agreements with the travel agencies so they can submit the documents for their clients that want to go to Mexico. We now work with 50 travel agencies throughout Ukraine. Ukrainians with a valid U.S. visa can also travel to Mexico.
We issue around 150 visas per month in Ukraine – half of them are for tourism purpose. Cancun and Mexico City are the most popular destinations. There are direct charter flights to Cancun from Moscow.
KP: Where do you go for Mexican food in Ukraine?
BT: To my house. There is only one Mexican restaurant in Kyiv and they have a few dishes that resemble Mexican cuisine. To make good Mexican food you need the ingredients. But there are no Mexican ingredients here yet.
KP: Do you find any similarities between Mexican and Ukrainian people?
BT: Both Mexicans and Ukrainians are open and hospitable. We like music, [have] flowers everywhere; even your traditional embroidery with flowers resembles Mexican embroidery.
Kyiv Post staff writer Kateryna Grushchenko can be reached at [email protected]
Read also ‘World in Ukraine: Mexico, Ukraine taking first steps to build ties‘ by the same author.
