U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes meets with Mexican President Felipe Calderon to talk border security

Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Posted: 04/07/2010 04:11:37 PM MDT

EL PASO -- U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, and two other U.S. lawmakers met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Mexico City to discuss security issues.

During the meeting Tuesday, Calderon said he acknowledged the U.S. lawmakers' leadership and commitment to strengthening the bilateral cooperation against transnational organized crime, based on principles of shared responsibility, mutual respect and respecting each nation's sovereignty, according to a statement by the Mexican president's office.

The U.S. delegation also included U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Arizona.

Calderon said he also stressed the importance of U.S. efforts to confront criminal groups that operate within its territory, as well as reducing the demand for drugs and the flow of weapons and cash to Mexico.

The U.S. and Mexican governments have entered the next phase of the Merida Initiative, a $1.3 billion package for Mexico to fight against the drug cartels.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14836244