The two companies have a technology-sharing alliance, a pact to cooperate on biofuels development and joint ventures to develop offshore fields.

FORBES: The Government Oil Play

Both governments insist that they see Mercosur as a permanent, geopolitical alliance, not just a trade pact.

ECONOMIST: Argentina and Brazil

By the 30s it had signed an electoral pact with Labour, an alliance that continues to endure and currently sees 29 Co-op MPs in parliament, including Ed Balls.

BBC: Caring and sharing

The telecommunications reform is seen as a consequence of President Enrique Pena Nieto's Pact for Mexico, a broad alliance designed to bring about structural changes.

BBC: Mexico Congress passes sweeping telecoms bill

He called his party's alliance with the incumbent Labour Government an abomination, and twice failed to have the pact ended by party ballot.

BBC: Obituary: Sir Cyril Smith

U.S. officials hope to conclude the partnership pact ahead of a May North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Chicago, where alliance leaders are expected to hash out an agreement to support Afghanistan for years to come.

WSJ: U.S. Near Pact to Hand Over Afghan Prison