LUXEMBOURG, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The European Union proposed on Monday establishing a strategic partnership with Mexico to forge closer ties in areas including security, diplomacy, trade, and the environment.

"The partnership should in particular help both parties strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in international fora on crisis situations and global challenges," EU foreign ministers said in a statement.

The partnership would cover areas including human rights, the fight against terrorism and drugs, climate change and development, the statement said.

The EU already has strategic partnerships with China, India, Brazil and South Africa and has begun strategic partnership negotiations with Russia.

The EU is Mexico's second-largest trading partner after the United States, with bilateral trade of nearly 33 billion euros ($45 billion) in 2007.

(Reporting by Ingrid Melander, editing by Mark Trevelyan)

AlertNet news is provided by