Mexico City, September 19, 2011 - As part of his initial courtesy calls, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne today met with Attorney General of Mexico Marisela Morales Ibañez at her offices in Mexico City.

The Attorney General and Ambassador discussed a number of areas of common law enforcement interest for the two nations, including: continued successful implementation of the Merida Initiative, combating Transnational Criminal Organizations, apprehension and extradition of fugitives, and countering cross-border movement of illicit narcotics, weapons, and financial instruments. They also discussed cooperation to prevent and combat trafficking-in-persons.

After meeting Morales, a recipient of the US Department of State's International Women of Courage Award, Ambassador Wayne said, "In our joint effort to make our two nations safer and more prosperous, nothing is more important than ensuring that the law enforcement and justice sector entities of the United States and Mexico are able to cooperate closely and effectively to the benefit of citizens of both of our nations and in support of the laws of both countries."

Finally, Ambassador Wayne reiterated to Attorney General Morales that the United States recognizes its shared responsibility for fighting transnational crime, and will continue to meet those obligations.