[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Pages 1267-1268]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for President Vicente Fox of Mexico

September 5, 2001

    Mr. President, Mrs. Fox, members of the Mexican delegation, 
distinguished guests: On behalf of the American people, it is my honor 
to welcome you to the United States.
    Mexico is the first country I visited as President. Today it is my 
privilege to welcome President Fox for the first state visit of my 
administration. This is a recognition that the United States has no more 
important relationship in the world than the one we have with Mexico.
    The starting point of a sound foreign policy is to build a stable 
and prosperous neighborhood with good relations amongst neighbors. Good 
neighbors work together and benefit from each other's successes.
    Mr. President, you are a Mexican patriot with a great vision for a 
great people, a vision of justice and prosperity. Your election signaled 
a new birth of freedom for Mexico and set an example for the entire 
world. The United States is proud to stand beside you as your partner 
and as your friend.
    Our nations have an historic opportunity to build an authentic 
partnership grounded in trust and in freedom. Since 1994, the Free Trade 
Agreement amongst our two countries and Canada has created millions of 
jobs and lifted millions of lives. NAFTA stands as a model for the 
benefits that are possible when trade is open and free. Today, our two 
nations are working together to extend the benefits of free trade 
throughout our hemisphere and throughout the world.
    Our common interests, however, extend far beyond commerce. We value 
the cultural contributions each nation makes to each other. We treasure 
the family ties that bind so many millions of our citizens. We 
understand that the border we share is a vibrant region that unites us.
    We understand that our two nations must work together in a spirit of 
respect and common purpose to seize opportunities and tackle challenges 
on the issues that affect the lives of our citizens, including 
migration, the environment, drugs, crime, corruption, and education. And 
both our Governments share a great project, a fully democratic Western 
Hemisphere that grows in prosperity and trades in freedom.
    Some have described the century that just passed as the American 
Century. Now, we look forward. We have a chance to build a century of 
the Americas, in which all our people, North and South, find the 
blessings of liberty. This goal is worthy of our two great nations.
    A Mexican proverb tells us that ``Que tiene un buen vecino tiene un 
buen amigo.'' ``He who has a good neighbor has a good friend.'' Today, 
both our countries are committed to being good neighbors and good 
friends. Friends deal in good faith and disagree with respect. Friends 
stick together in good times and in bad.
    Most of all, friends bring out the best in each other. Today, Mexico 
and the United States are bringing out the best in each other in 
commerce, in culture, and in our shared commitment to democratic values. 
We're building a relationship that is unique in the world, a 
relationship of unprecedented closeness and cooperation. And this visit 
is a milestone on that journey.
    President Fox, in February you welcomed me in your home in 
Guanajuato. Today Laura and I and the American people are honored to 
welcome you and Mrs. Fox to the Casa Blanca nuestro pais. [Laughter]
    Thank you for coming.

Note: The President spoke at 10:12 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House, where President Fox was accorded a formal welcome with full 
military honors. In his remarks, he referred to Martha Sahagun de Fox, 
wife of President Fox. The transcript released by the Office of the 
Press Secretary also included the remarks of President Fox.

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