San Jose, Costa Rica - Central America is eager to strengthen its ties to various Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, stated the President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla Miranda.

Chinchilla Miranda, who is also President "pro tempore" of the Central American Integration System (SICA,) said that the leaders of their region support her decision to hold a summit with Mexico.

The First Mexico-SICA Summit will be held on February 19th and 20th which coincides with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto's first visit to Costa Rica. Pena Nieto took office December 1st for the 2012 to 2018 term.

President Chinchilla said that goodwill exists because Central America is looking to strengthen its relations with the countries of the region, especially Mexico. She was giving the inaugural speech at the dialogue in San Jose titled "Relations Between Mexico and Central America Through 2020," attended by some 40 experts analyzing new ways to strengthen ties.

Mexico and SICA members have agreed to launch the "Mesoamerica Integration and Development Project," the Costa Rican President said.