Presidents Barack Obama of the United States
and Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico emphasized trade Thursday in a push
for broader cooperation beyond the immigration and security issues
that have long dominated their relations.
"Mexico and the United States have one of the largest, most
dynamic relationships of any two countries on Earth," Obama told
reporters at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City after talks with
Pena Nieto.
"And yet, we don't hear enough about our extraordinary ties,
because attention is often focused on one or two issues, such as
security or immigration."
Pena Nieto took office in December seeking to reshape ties with
the Mexico's neighbour to the north and biggest trade partner. During
Thursday's start of Obama's two-day visit, the Mexican president
called for "relations that are not single-themed" but multifaceted.
"We have reviewed the huge potential that lies in economic
dialogue between Mexico and the United States," he said.
Both Obama and Pena Nieto stressed their economic interdependence.
"I believe we have an historic opportunity to foster even more
cooperation, more trade, more jobs," Obama said. "That's the focus of
my visit."
Mexico's growth is an important component in the immigration issue
that has the two countries have traditionally shared.
"Our shared border is more secure than it's been in years. Illegal
immigration attempts into the United States are near their lowest
levels in decades, and legal immigration continues to make both our
countries stronger, more prosperous and more competitive," Obama
said.
"This, in part, reflects the economic progress and greater
opportunities here in Mexico. I think this progress should help
inform our debate in the United States, and I'm optimistic that we're
finally going to pass comprehensive immigration reform" in the US.
The United States as "a nation of immigrants," he said, arguing
that immigration reforms being debated in Congress would be a key
element to improve business ties with Mexico.
"The importance of getting it done is precisely because we do so
much business with each other," Obama said.
The two leaders discussed immigration and security, which Obama
defined as "serious" and "urgent" challenges.
Obama acknowledged an important US role in helping to combat
organized crime in Mexico, where more than 60,000 people have died in
gang violence over the last six years.
"I also reaffirmed our determination in the United States to meet
our responsibilities: to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and
combat the southbound flow of illegal guns and cash that help fuel
violence," he said.
Obama said combatting drug gangs is a domestic Mexican issue but
offered US assistance and vowed to step up actions on US soil that
can help Mexico's fight against organized crime.
"Mexico has to deal with its problems internally, and we have to
deal with ours as well," Obama said.
The centre-left Pena Nieto, whose conservative predecessor had
made the war on gangs Mexico's top priority, spoke of a "new security
strategy" that includes the need to reduce violence.
"Fighting organized crime and reducing violence are not
incompatible with each other," he said.
Obama was to travel Friday to Costa Rica.
