Mexico president urges North American integration after Brexit

Ottawa (AFP) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Monday called for greater integration with Canada and the United States in the wake of Britain’s vote to split with the European Union.

 

Nieto, who spoke during a stopover in Quebec City, is scheduled to attend a North American leaders summit in Ottawa on Wednesday with his US and Canadian counterparts.

 

The three countries are economic partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and work closely on security matters.

 

At Wednesday’s summit, the leaders are expected to announce joint energy and environmental strategies, including matching renewable energy targets.

 

“The purpose of this visit is to renew our bilateral relationship, to give it new life, to find ways to advance the prosperity and competitiveness of North America,” Pena Nieto said.

 

“I think what is happening elsewhere in the world invites us to strengthen our strategic alliance and especially to be much more inclusive,” he said in response to questions about the so-called Brexit decision.

 

Britain’s shocking vote to quit the European Union has abruptly shoved itself onto the summit agenda.

 

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