GILBERTO RINCON GALLARDO

Although Mexicans and Americans share a long history of physical and cultural proximity, collaboration between our states has almost always been difficult. The coming century is a challenging opportunity for bettering our political and economic cooperation for two reasons: Global interdependence opens the door to a promising understanding between governments, and while Americans have been concerned by continental and domestic matters during the past decade, Mexicans have been building a less parochial, truly plural and democratic country.

The main challenge that both societies must face is the democratization of decision-making processes for matters that have become not national but global. In other words, the main task for both countries will be to build legitimized supranational institutions for dealing with global issues.

Two subjects are at the core of our relationship: migration and drug trafficking. Neither can be intelligently approached nor truly faced if only domestic political interests prevail. It is in this sense that leadership and political will from both sides should be committed to building a future institutional bridge in which the well-being of both societies will be considered.

Canada, Mexico and the United States have set up the basis for economic integrated development with the North American Free Trade Agreement. Yet this will not be achieved as long as the free market is restricted to goods and services.

Voices in the United States and Mexico have been rising on this issue; we know that the future strength of our economies depends on regulated labor liberalization across borders. Nonetheless, our voices cannot be heard strongly enough since politicians in both countries assume the fight against immigrants may bring them votes. In the meantime, hundreds of Mexicans illegally cross the border every week, and hundreds die in the attempt every year.

My commitment as president of Mexico will be to build better economic, political and social understanding between our societies and thus to find a solution to the migration problem.

Likewise, drug trafficking cannot be faced from a domestic perspective. The global networks of drug production and distribution, as well as of money laundering, require coordinated and balanced supranational measures. The supply paradigm for tackling this phenomenon has failed. Only with education, rehabilitation and information can we win the war on drugs. As president of Mexico, I shall endeavor to eradicate drug demand.