By Eduardo Ibarrola, Ambassador of Mexico.
Every year, on September 16, Mexicans commemorate the beginning of the Mexican Independence War. Traditionally, on the evening of September 15, the President addresses the nation from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City to reenact the moment, back in 1810, when priest Miguel Hidalgo -the Father of the Nation- called Mexicans to the uprising in the small town of Dolores, now located in the beautiful state of Guanajuato.
Since its birth as an independent nation, Mexico has faced various challenges that defined its character both domestically and in the international arena.
It hasn’t been easy, but today Mexico is a multiparty democracy, with an important network for the protection of human rights and public information access; a deep industrialization process and free trade; our country is an attractive destination for investment and international tourism.
In the international arena, Mexico became a prominent actor in the promotion of international law and an active participant in topics like disarmament, free-trade, climate change and the fight against transnational organized crime.
With the commemoration of the “Grito de Dolores” we also celebrate our unity, which is the key for our progress. President Enrique Peña-Nieto acknowledges this. That’s why -through the “Pact for Mexico”- his administration works under an unprecedented agreement with the main political parties in order to achieve the structural reforms that Mexico needs to become the prosperous and equalitarian country that every Mexican citizen deserves.
In only 9 months, this new governmental approach has already achieved a constitutional framework for an important reform that will increase the quality of the education and also a telecommunications reform that will open the country for a more competitive process. Other examples are the promulgation of the Law for the Protection of Crime Victims and the Crusade against Hunger. Moreover, a very important initiative in energy has already been presented before Congress for discussion.
In September is time to celebrate Mexico, not only for our past but also for our present and future. And as long as we remain united and working for our common wellbeing, we will have good reasons to say out loud: Viva México!
