THE SIXTH BELIZE-MEXICO BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN CHETUMAL
The sixth Belize-Mexico Bi-national Commission meeting was held in Chetumal this past Thursday and Friday. The technical meeting was attended by government officials from both countries and a number of issues related to the bilateral cooperation were discussed. Love News spoke with the Mexican Embassy's Press Officer Macelino Miranda who is also responsible for border affairs.
Macelino Miranda; Press Officer, Mexican Embassy
"We have representation of different ministries from both countries especially from the Scientific and cultural exchange areas. Also from the security and the army and other related areas and agencies from Mexico. The importance of the Bi-National Commission is that it is the maximum forum for political and cooperation dialog between Mexico and Belize. The meeting included other meetings related to technical and scientific cooperation, education and cultural cooperation and border security matters. These was another committee against drug trafficking and drug addiction and we also have the political sub-commission."
Some of the ministries that were represented include the Foreign Affairs, Defense, Communication and Transport, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Agriculture and Fisheries and Education.
Macelino Miranda
"It was a successful meeting we had several agreements and that goes especially for the technical and scientific corporation. This agreement for 2010-2012 was signed and that implied is that both countries have committed to prioritize scientific and technical cooperation. What that will mean for Belize is more support from Mexico, more exchange between both countries and also having some institutions and universities coming to Belize in order to support Belizean initiatives in this area. At the same time we have great advance in terms of education and cultural cooperation. Very shortly we will have the Bi-national Agreement signed. For Mexico and Belize that will mean more scholarships and more exchange in terms of culture and education."
Miranda says that the Mexico and Belize Delegations reiterated their commitment to guarantee a modern border that will facilitate the orderly, legal and secure crossing of people and goods. It was agreed that the exchange will include training opportunities for law enforcement officers in Belize to improve border security.
Macelino Miranda
"At the same time the GANSEF this is the high level group for border security met. This was the third technical meeting and both countries made some agreements in these terms. Both countries have advanced a lot and they are going to exchange more information to combat illicit trafficking of drugs, people and arms at the border. They are also going to exchange information in terms of combating transnational crime. They also agreed that Mexico is going to continue providing training for Belizean police in terms of fighting crime. These will be other kinds of support in terms of forensic and canine training is going to continue on the part of Mexico. Both countries also reaffirmed or confirmed the installation in Belize the Plataforma Mexico. This is the criminal data base of Mexico that has also been provided to Belize."
The meeting also served as preparation for and official visit by Prime Minister Dean to Mexico on October 18th and 19th.
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