Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada is in Belize tonight. Fox arrived this morning for a two day state visit and spent most of his day in the capital city of Belmopan. 7NEWS was tracking his daytime activities. Here's the story.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Arriving in a virtual armada of helicopters, 5 of them which parked in the open area behind the British and Mexican embassies, Mexican President Vicente Fox was escorted to the National Assembly stairs amid the cheers of school children by the Prime Minister. Also alongside was a phalanx of security guards and dignitaries. Fox and Musa made their way to the bottom of the stairs to observe the anthem of both countries. The Mexican President was then invited to inspect a guard of honor.
And while the Belize and Mexican media were hemmed in, the leaders walked over to the Belize House for a meeting with the Governor General and later on a meeting with Ministers in the new administration building.
After those meetings were finished, which was just after noon, President Fox arrived in the rain to the George Price Center where he and the Prime Minister signed three agreements on border security, technical and scientific cooperation, emergency management and an agreement to build a new bridge over the Rio Hondo at the Northern Border with Belize.
Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize
"Mexico has committed to financing the construction of the bridge. It is contemplated that the existing bridge will facilitate traffic entering Belize. The new bridge will facilitate traffic exiting Belize. These agreements signed together, with the many others already in force, serve to strengthen our friendship; reinforce our commercial links, and technical cooperation for the mutual benefit of both our peoples. Belize has more bilateral agreements with Mexico than with any other country in the world. This fact is evidence of the strong bond of friendship and cooperation which exists between our two countries."
And that strong friendship was made clear when fox was invited as a special
guest at a joint sitting of the National Assembly where both Houses gathered to hear addresses from both leaders.
Said Musa,
"We agreed to strengthen regional and international cooperation to increase equality of opportunities for trade, economic growth, and sustainable development. It is our conviction that our cooperation agreements with Mexico will respect these principles, recognizing the need for special and differential treatment for small economies and adhering to the solidarity that has characterized the relation between our two states."
Vicente Fox, President of Mexico
"Mexico deeply appreciates its friendship with Belize and our mutual interest in building a shared destiny of peace and development firmly based on democracy and bilateral cooperation to attain better levels of well being for our peoples. Today before this honorable Assembly I reiterate the will of Mexico to continue boosting economic growth and the strengthening of democracy in our countries and in Latin America."
After that the Speaker of the House came forward to let President Fox hear her.
Elizabeth Zabenah, Speaker of the House
"Mr. President, I would like to see your face when I talk to you. Thank
you very much for coming to Belize. On behalf of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate I also thank you for your visit."
When that was finished, Fox and his fleet of helicopters left for Belize Ccity for a series of evening functions.
We'll have more on the President's visit later including one of the most intriguing developments - the possible appearance of Pemex, Mexico's national oil company as a domestic supplier in Belize.
