EDUARDO MEDINA MORA SWORN IN AS AMBASSADOR OF MEXICO TO THE UNITED STATES

• Mexico has a historic opportunity to raise the bilateral relationship to a higher level of cooperation, partnership, shared responsibility and mutual respect.

Mexico’s ambassador to the United States, Eduardo Medina Mora Icaza, was sworn in today by the Permanent Commission of Congress, which ratified the appointment made by President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade congratulated Ambassador Medina Mora on his appointment and acknowledged the work of Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan at the embassy, saying that the foundation he laid for the bilateral relationship will undoubtedly contribute to the new ambassador’s success.

Ambassador Medina Mora explained his agenda to the Permanent Congressional Commission, stressing the importance of the bilateral relations with the U.S. and saying that during the new administration Mexico had the historic opportunity to raise it to a higher level of cooperation, partnership, shared responsibility and mutual respect.

The Ambassador emphasized that, while at the embassy, his actions will always be based on preserving national sovereignty as a fundamental value. In order to improve the image of Mexico in the United States, it will be necessary to engage in public diplomacy with the various social sectors and the media in order to publicize in an ongoing manner the importance of the Mexicans in the U.S. He will also strongly support publicizing Mexico’s rich culture and tourism.

The ambassador said that there have been few times in the past to equal the situation today, where domestic and external conditions are coming together in a way that will benefit Mexico’s development.
He acknowledged that the United States remains the largest world power and explained that Mexico’s largest consular network is located in that country. The defense of human and job rights is the essence of Mexico’s diplomatic work in the bilateral relationship.

The diplomat stressed that Mexico’s embassy in the U.S. coordinates the consulates in that country using a policy that is well defined by national interest. It also holds active exchanges and discussions with the various political and social actors involved in the bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Medina Mora said that the embassy’s priority will be to maintain and strengthen a positive and efficient environment for business and to expand investment opportunities for Mexicans there as well as for Americans in Mexico, taking advantage of the interaction of the production networks.

Regarding the immigration issue, the Ambassador said that it must be addressed using a regional approach. He acknowledged that immigration reform is a matter of domestic policy, but said that the Mexican government and its embassy in the U.S. would do their part to ensure that the interests of our citizens are respected.

The Ambassador proposed six main areas of action:

• Respect for the human dignity, health and education of our citizens
• Maintaining close contact with the Mexican communities and organizations in the various U.S. states
• Acting decisively in all lawsuits that have the potential to result in a ruling in favor of Mexicans who have been the victims of an injustice
•Assessing the risks of the decisions of local authorities regarding immigration
• Monitoring federal immigration policies in the U.S. which, regarding deportations, could in extreme cases exploit the vulnerability of our fellow countrymen
• Help articulate the medium- and long-term post-FTA vision as set forth by President Enrique Peña Nieto has established.