Secretary Clinton's Remarks at Luncheon for Mexican President Calderon and Mrs. Zavala

Remarks at Luncheon for Mexican President Calderon and Mrs. Zavala

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ben Franklin Room

Washington, DC

May 19, 2010

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Good afternoon. Please be seated and welcome to the Ben Franklin Room here on the eighth floor of the State Department. We are absolutely delighted to have you here for this wonderful event. And I am very pleased to join Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden in welcoming President Calderon and Mrs. Zavala to Washington.
I am told there is an old Mexican saying: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” The United States is proud to be Mexico’s friend, partner, and neighbor. And our deep and enduring relationship is a testament to the ties that connect us and the values we share. We know our futures are intertwined, that we will succeed or fail as one, and that the well-being, security, and prosperity of each of our peoples will be shaped by what we do together.
There is a lot of work ahead of us, but today is also a time to celebrate, to celebrate all of the ties that bind us together by history and family, by business and all sorts of relationships. And I’m very pleased that I have the privilege of introducing to make a toast Vice President Joe Biden. (Applause.)