Mexican President optimistic about new phase in US relations

Mexico City, Nov 11: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said that he has a "well-founded optimism" about building a new working agenda with the US after Donald Trump takes office in January 2017.

"I have a well-founded optimism that we're really going to be able to build a new working agenda in the bilateral relationship," Pena Nieto said on Thursday.

The Mexican leader expressed confidence that the new bilateral agenda "will be positive and that, in addition, it will benefit the societies of both nations."

Pena Nieto noted the motto of the industry meeting - "United, dialogue and respect" - to express the stamp his government intends to put on Mexico's relationship with its main trade partner after Trump takes office.

Mexico will seek to establish with the new US administration "a relationship of dialogue, respect and confidence, because the two countries are allies, partners and neighbours," he said.

He emphasised that his priority "will be to take care of Mexico and protect Mexicans," calling for unity in "this new chapter in our bilateral relationship."

Pena Nieto on Wednesday spoke by telephone with Trump, later calling the conversation "friendly and respectful", and noting that they had "preferably" agreed to meet during the transition phase before the US President-elect actually takes office.