Europe must act to curb Mexican drug problem -Germany
Mon, 2 May 2011 20:24 GMT
MEXICO CITY, May 2 (Reuters) - Europe holds joint responsibility with Mexico in the fight against drug cartels and must reduce demand for narcotics and battle money laundering, German President Christian Wulff said on Monday.
More than 38,000 people have been killed since Mexican President Felipe Calderon began a campaign against Mexico's drug gangs in 2006 that has strained ties with the United States and hurt his conservatives' chances of re-election.
Wulff, on a one-week visit to Latin America, praised Mexico for its "courage" in standing up to the cartels.
"We hold joint responsibility here. Europe too must play its part by curbing drug consumption and fighting money laundering. We have a job to do there too, and we can't leave Mexico by itself," he told a news conference with Calderon.
The United States is the biggest market for illegal drugs smuggled through Mexico, though officials say huge quantities are increasingly making their way to Europe.
Mexico has been accused by officials in the United States, its co-sponsor in the drug war, of undermining the campaign by failing to address corruption in the police and judiciary.
Wulff said Germany expected Mexico to ensure human rights were respected in efforts to stamp out the drug gangs.
"And I'd like offer my thanks that we plan to swap notes in greater depth on reform of the police and judiciary," he added, noting that it was vital to improve economic and social prospects for young Mexicans to battle the cartels.
Though head of state in the European Union's most populous country, the German president's role is largely ceremonial. However, his voice carries significant weight.
Separately, Wulff said that Germany, Europe's largest economy, aimed to step up investment in Mexico. He noted that renewable energy would play a bigger role in future, as would the training of Mexican students by German firms. (Reporting by Dave Graham; editing by Mohammad Zargham)
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