When we think about trans-border relations - the first thing that comes to mind is the Belize - Guatemala territorial dispute and the tensions arising between both countries because of it. Now there is another trans-border link that is only highlighted when police make major drug busts in the north and that's the connection between Belize and Mexico. But there is so much more to this border linkage, especially the fact that Mexico has been a model of a good neighbor. Today at the Radisson, a number of other topics centered on Belize- Mexico relations were discussed. Those include migration and identity, the influence of culture and the effects on the economy. We spoke with the Mexican Ambassador to Belize and the President of the University of Belize about the seminar:
H.E. Carlos Quesnel Melendez, Mexican Ambassador to Belize
"After almost a year we are very happy to see that. We came to the idea of working first of migration issue and we deice to make it more right and we brought issue environment, economic, cultural issues and we have today w two day seminar where we are talking about decisions. I am pretty sure that this seminar will help to enhance the relationship of both countries. We have great response from several universities of Mexico and Belize. In Belize we have the presence of the University of Belize which is a very good opportunity for us and we received support of the University of Quintana Roo. We are very happy with the results."
Alan Slusher, UB President
"We already have formal links with the University of Belize and the University of Quintana Roo and we have had off and on relations between UB and the Colegio de La Frontera Sur. We thought that if we came together we would strengthen the links and we would contribute to the development of knowledge for the relations and to help using their language to push the relationship further."
Daniel Ortiz
"What are the specific topics, because everyone is giving us a general description and we want to know what are you all discussing?"
Alan Slusher, UB President
"We are discussing the range of things that keep out two countries. We are talking about how the relationships came about. We are talking about where the relationships are likely to go. And then we are talking specifically about things like what's are trading relationships like, what are cooperation of environmental related matters. What our relations in relation to tourism and all of the various areas which we two sets of societies interact."
The seminar ends tomorrow. It is being held under the theme Enhancing Connectivity: A Review of Contemporary Issues for Mexico -Belize Trans- Border Relations."
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