MEETING OF THE MEXICO – U.S. EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE ON 21ST-CENTURY BORDER MANAGEMENT

Mexico and the United States held the fifth meeting of the bilateral Executive Steering Committee (ESC) for 21st-Century Border Management in Washington, D.C. The meeting was co-chaired by the Committee Executive Secretaries, Dr. Sergio Alcocer Martinez de Castro, Undersecretary for North America, and Patricia Cogswell, Special Assistant to the National Security Team of the White House. It was attended by senior officials from various federal agencies of both countries.

Working in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual responsibility and by taking a long-term perspective, this forum has led to the implementation of a wide range of binational initiatives to enhance the development of the border region. This collaborative and coordinated joint focus takes a comprehensive view of the various border issues in its implementation of the directives included in the Declaration on Border Management.

Through the binational Executive Steering Committee (ESC) and its annual action plans, Mexico and the United States are working to reduce the cost of doing business between the two countries, develop security strategies and facilitate the secure and efficient flow of goods and people.

Yesterday, the committee adopted the 2013 Action Plan and presented the final report of the 2012 Action Plan. For 2012, the following was achieved:

In infrastructure, the new entry into Mexico, known as El Chaparral at the Tijuana – San Ysidro border crossing opened for operation; four new northbound commercial inspection lanes opened at the Nogales-Nogales III "Mariposa” border crossing; operations began at the Boquillas del Carmen-Big Bend border crossing; and the Sonora – Arizona, Santa Teresa/Chihuahua – El Paso and Tamaulipas – Lower Río Bravo Valley Master Plans were concluded.

Regarding the secure flow of individuals across the border, good progress was made in expanding trusted traveler programs such as SENTRI and Global Entry. The programs providing for safe, humane and orderly repatriation to locations throughout Mexico continued; facilities at three sites were built or remodeled for pilot pre-clearance programs to streamline the flow of trade in specific areas; the new program for certified companies began to encourage membership in certification programs, and public meetings were held with producers, legislators and residents to improve the strategies designed by both federal governments.

Regarding security and law enforcement, the joint work on Border Violence Prevention Protocols to identify high-risk networks and routes for trafficking in arms, drugs, and money was highlighted; the Strategy for Coordinated Investigations was adopted to increase investigations and prosecutions based on intelligence; and a technical study on trafficking in weapons and explosives between Mexico and the United States was concluded that will enable the adoption of guidelines and policies for better border security.

For 2013, there are plans for six entry points; the Border Master Plans will be finished; public-private partnerships will be strengthened; and creative infrastructure projects to facilitate trade will be pursued.

Regarding safe flows across the border, strategies to reduce waiting times will continue; the certification program will be strengthened; and registrations will continue for the trusted traveler programs (SENTRI, FAST and Global Entry).

On security and law enforcement, steps were adopted to monitor implementation of the Border Violence Prevention Protocols and to establish a coordinated strategy to identify, disrupt and dismantle networks for trafficking in persons, weapons, drugs and cash. In addition, coordinated training initiatives and the collection, analysis and exchange of information were promoted, as was the identification of ways to improve investigation of the cross-border tunnels used for smuggling.

Lastly, the delegations agreed to monitor the progress of these programs at regular bilateral meetings. Two bilateral technical workshops are planned prior to the sixth ESC meeting in December to report on fulfillment of the 2013 Action Plan and adopt the following action plan, which will build on our joint efforts to develop the region.

Through these and other initiatives, Mexico and the United States reaffirm their commitment to transform the management of our shared border to enhance economic competitiveness, facilitate lawful trade and travel, strengthen public safety, increase development and dismantle illicit activities and transnational criminal organizations.