Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Binational Commission

(Approximately 9:00 am Local Time)

Mr. Secretary, let me begin by saying we too are very pleased with the report on the Partnership. A great deal has been accomplished in these first six months and I just think it is a harbinger of many more things we can do in the future together. And, Mr. President, let me thank you for your gracious and warm welcome and I think we will have a day of fruitful discussions.

There will be many issues we agree on, and there will be some that we may have to have a little discussion or debate on, but Jorge and I are good at this. We do it with some regularity. But always in the spirit of friendship and in the spirit of cooperation and with the knowledge that we are serving two peoples that are close to one another, two countries that have shared values and two presidents who are very close personal friends and who have entrusted to us the responsibility of enhancing the relationship and forwarding the dialogue that exists between our two countries. We look forward to a profitable day.

So thank you very much Mr. President.