Common Tread
Article by: Staff Report

President Vicente Fox traveled to California in March to meet with state and local leaders. While there, he addressed the California state legislature. The following excerpts are from his address:

"In recent years we have witnessed the increasing integration of North America, not only at the economic level but also in social, political and cultural affairs. We have observed with interest a growing interaction and greater efforts for understanding at all levels of government, between businessmen and between numerous non-governmental organ-izations. Today, more than before, our bilateral relations are not limited to the ties between our capitals, Washington and Mexico City, rather it extends to all areas of an active neighboring relationship between two complex and flourishing countries. Within this interaction, perhaps the border area stands out as the richest albeit the most complex part of the relations. I hardly need say it, California plays a priority role in this setting.

Thanks to its strong relations with Mexico, California’s exports to our country have increased by almost 200 percent over the past seven years. As a result, my country has become the world’s main market for Californian exports. Over 175,000 jobs in California are directly linked to export activities toward Mexico and the trend of these indicators reflects that these figures will continue to rise.

This reality should encourage us in our efforts to find better mechanisms for cooperation in all spheres. Driven by the engine of trade, the remaining aspects of our relations can be incorporated into a matrix of prosperity if we address them fully, maturely and equitably.

In Mexico and California...

...Continued in the pages of Twin Plant News, Subscribe Today!