In the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard presented the declaration in which Mexico and the United States agree to continue modernizing our bilateral engagement to reflect changes in the world and to ensure our citizens directly benefit.
The Foreign Secretary noted that the declaration states, "We are committed to promoting strong regional economic growth, good jobs, and expanded opportunity for all of our citizens.
"This declaration reflects the importance both countries attach to our bilateral relationship. The spirit of cooperation between our countries is strong with institutional, economic, familial and cultural bonds that link Mexico and the United States and are the foundation of our bilateral relationship.
"Mexico and the United States today commit to strengthen and expand our bilateral cooperation to foster economic development and increase investment in southern Mexico and Central America to create a zone of prosperity. Both countries recognize the strong links between promoting development and economic growth in southern Mexico and the success of promoting prosperity, good governance and security in Central America.
"The United States welcomes the new Comprehensive Development Plan launched by the Government of Mexico in concert with the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to promote these goals. Mexico and the United States will lead in working with regional and international partners to build a more prosperous and secure Central America to address the underlying causes of migration, and so that citizens of the region can build better lives for themselves and their families at home.
"Promoting Prosperity, Good Governance and Security in Central America: Mexico and the United States will continue government cooperation and coordination to enhance security, good governance and economic prosperity in Central America, complementing the Northern Triangle countries' Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity. The United States is committing a total of USD 5.8 billion in support of institutional reforms, development and economic growth in the Northern Triangle from private and public sources. Mexico and the United States will also work with the Mexican and U.S. private sector and multilateral development banks to promote investment and economic development in the Northern Triangle. We will leverage the resources of Mexican and U.S. international development finance capabilities to better target investments in the region."
The foreign secretary said that, regarding cabinet and high-level taskforce meetings, "The Governments of Mexico and the United States will convoke a cabinet-level meeting in late January 2019 to agree on a strategic framework for our cooperation in Central America to address the root causes of migration. Mexico and the United States will establish a high-level taskforce to facilitate the design and implementation of cooperation and monitor progress on advancing our common objectives."
The secretary reported that a large investment will be made in southern Mexico, highlighting that "Mexico and the United States will strengthen coordination with the private sector and development institutions to expand infrastructure and generate employment opportunities in southern Mexico. The government of Mexico has announced the largest development commitment in decades in southern Mexico to include $25 billion over the next five years. The United States, for its part, through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is focused on increasing private and public investment in Mexico to total $4.8 billion, to include $2 billion for suitable projects in southern Mexico. The United States will seek to leverage public and private investment in Mexico and is exploring options of further investment in dialogue with the government of Mexico."
Lastly, the foreign secretary referred to the bilateral business summit, saying "Mexico and the United States will convoke a business summit in the first quarter of 2019 with participation by a broad range of U.S., Mexican and international private sector representatives to explore and Increase investment and business opportunities in Mexico with a special focus on southern Mexico and the Northern Triangle."