Lima - The strategic association between Mexico and the European Union (EU), which both parties have agreed to broaden, "will contribute to building a better world," Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Saturday in Lima.

Mexico and the EU said in the Peruvian capital - where the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean summit was held Friday - that they are set to deepen the association that was launched in 2000. The deal includes periodic high-level political dialogue and a free-trade agreement.

"In this framework we are going to strengthen our political and economic cooperation," said European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Barroso appeared at a joint press conference with Calderon and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose country currently presides over the EU Council.

Additional cooperation between the two countries will "contribute to building a better world" in which shared values prevail, Calderon said. Among such values, he mentioned peace, liberty, justice, democracy, prosperity, respect for the environment and respect for human rights.

Calderon stressed he was "more than convinced that Mexico and Europe are called upon to be partners and allies in the international scenario." (dpa)