MEXICO CITY, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's incoming government believes there will be a better understanding between Mexico and the United States, especially in regard to security, in the next few years, future foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard said Friday.
President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's team met with a high-ranking delegation from the United States on Friday which included U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
"It was a frank discussion that was respectful and cordial," Ebrard told reporters following the meeting, which took place at Lopez Obrador's campaign headquarters, in a central neighborhood in Mexico City.
"I believe it was a successful first conversation. I'd say we can expect to have a reasonable optimism that Mexico will find points of understanding in the next few years and have a better relationship with the United States," Ebrard said.
The future foreign minister said they gave U.S. President Donald Trump's representatives "a proposal outlining points of understanding," the details of which will be shared once Trump reviews them. Trump was on an official visit to Britain.
Ebrard said the proposal touches on issues vital to the bilateral relationship, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), immigration, regional development that includes Central America, as well as security issues.
"It's been established that there could be a future dialogue that is fruitful on issues of security, because Mexico will be making important changes when it comes to its security strategy," Ebrard said without offering more details.
During this first meeting, in which U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor also attended, the issue of weapons was not discussed, Ebrard said.
According to Ebrard, Pompeo said they wanted to have a "friendly relationship" with Mexico, and also find an agreement on principle issues in the bilateral relationship.
"They see the amount of support the next president of Mexico has and how he achieved it," the future foreign minister said.
"And they are at a disposition to analyze the proposals the president-elect gave them today," he said.
Prior to the meeting, the U.S. delegation also met with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who said he was coping with the policy implemented by Trump's administration that separates migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pompeo's visit to Mexico lasted less than 24 hours and came amid tensions between the two countries relating to immigration, NAFTA and drug and arms trafficking.
Lopez Obrador's government will officially take power on Dec. 1.
