FOREIGN SECRETARY JOSE ANTONIO MEADE MEETS WITH GUATEMALAN FOREIGN MINISTER LUIS FERNANDO CARRERA CASTRO

Today, Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade Kuribreña met with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera. This was Foreign Minister Carrera’s first working visit since taking office on Jan. 14.
Mexico thanked the Guatemalan Foreign Minister for his kind gesture in visiting Mexico first, which is indicative of the priority that both countries give to the bilateral relationship.

Guatemala and Mexico share a border of about 959.7 kilometers. Mexican exports to Guatemala total 1.787 billion dollars, while Guatemala exports to Mexico a total of US$543.3 million.

During the meeting, both officials agreed on the need to increase prosperity and security on their common border, which will promote integration and provide greater opportunities for development for both countries. The two officials agreed to ensure the integrated development of Mexico’s and Guatemala’s southern border, to develop new border infrastructure and to give impetus to all Mesoamerican integration projects.

They also agreed on the importance of the immigration debate in the United States, which is home to both Mexican and Guatemalan communities that make important contributions to the U.S. society, economy and culture. They further agreed on the need for immigration policies that are respectful of the rights of individuals and take into account the ties between societies, regional population dynamics, and existing economic complementarities.

Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade discussed President Enrique Peña Nieto’s vision of Mexico’s role in the international arena as a committed and responsible actor that promotes peace and cooperation in Central America. He extended an invitation from President Peña Nieto to Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina to make a state visit to Mexico this year.

Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera explained President Otto Perez Molina’s view of the proposed international debate on reforming the policies on the production, trafficking and consumption of drugs. He also stressed the role that Guatemala and Mexico play in Mesoamerica and the urgent need to promote regional integration.

Both agreed that Guatemala and Mexico are strategic partners who share a vision of a common future for the development of their societies.