Summary Leaders will highlight importance of expanding dialogue and cooperation between the US and Mexico.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama will host his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto for a January 6 meeting which aims to strengthen ties between the North American neighbors, the White House announced Friday.
"The president looks forward to welcoming President Pena Nieto back to Washington and working with him to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and Mexico and advancing our common goals," the White House said in a statement.
"The two leaders will highlight the importance of expanding dialogue and cooperation between the United States and Mexico on economic, security and social issues, as well as underscoring the deep cultural ties and friendship that exist between our two countries."
The summit, the first visit to Washington by Pena Nieto since November 2012, shortly after he was elected president of Mexico, follows Obama s trip in February 2014 to Toluca, Mexico and his May 2013 visit to Mexico City.
The visit comes as the two nations struggle to resolve the thorny issue of illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States, just weeks after Obama s executive actions allow some undocumented migrants to stay in the United States temporarily without risk of deportation.
