Mexico's relations with Venezuela and Cuba are regaining pace and the three countries plan to exchange ambassadors soon, Mexico's foreign minister said Tuesday.

"All three governments value the importance of relaunching and formalizing diplomatic relations, something which could happen very soon," Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa Cantellano said. "We will soon receive Cuba's and Venezuela's ambassadors."

"Mexico's ambassadors will soon travel to these nations, where we will open a new stage of relations with them," she said.

Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with both nations during the 2000 to 2006 government of President Vicente Fox due to contradictory positions on various issues.
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Fox and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, clashed over a dispute over the US-promoted Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Fox criticized Chavez for opposing the FTAA.

Fox also had been in rows with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, which led to the withdrawal of ambassadors in 2004.

However, the three nations have been improving their relations in recent months.

"What I can say is that there is political will on all sides to have relationships at all levels and to develop respectful and constructive relations," said the foreign minister.

Mexico has chosen its ambassadors to the two countries and will send them as early as next week.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2007)