Mexico calls for region-wide response to drug trafficking, crime

Source: Xinhua | 04-20-2009 08:48

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Felipe Calderon on Sunday called for a response to drug trafficking and organized crime that spans the continent.

In his closing speech at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, Calderon also said that a document on the topic had been well received by the 34 heads of state attending the event.

This document called for the adoption of sales controls on high-caliber weapons, strengthening cross-border policies, and preventing drug consumption.

Speaking with Patrick Manning, prime minister of the three-day summit's host country Trinidad and Tobago, Calderon said "better days are coming for the Americas."

He added that after debating prosperity, energy security, governability and the economic crisis, nations in the region had reached a consensus on the final document, although not necessarily with unanimity.

The nations had not agreed on a response to the economic crisis because it had not been debated enough, Calderon said, echoing similar comments by his Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega in the summit's opening speech.

"No one is against the document," he said, adding that leaders had only wanted deeper treatment of the existing topics, and more topics added. "The important thing is consensus," he said.

He also repeated his demand for the strengthening of the Inter-American Development Bank in order to assure developing nations' access to credit during the economic crisis.

Editor:Shi Taoyang