The new President of Mexico talks business with EU

Mexico's president-elect, Vicente Fox, whose historic victory last July overturned 71 years of one-party rule, is busy globe-trotting before he begins his six-year term in December. This week, the former Coca-Cola executive will talk business with the leaders of five European nations, and will meet Tony Blair in London on Friday.

Mexico's president-elect, Vicente Fox, whose historic victory last July overturned 71 years of one-party rule, is busy globe-trotting before he begins his six-year term in December. This week, the former Coca-Cola executive will talk business with the leaders of five European nations, and will meet Tony Blair in London on Friday.

It will not be Mr Fox's first encounter with Britain. As governor of the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, Mr Fox consulted Scotland Yard on security strategies.

This pragmatic politician sees crime prevention as essential for encouraging business. He never tires of pointing out how the kidnapping, extortion and corruption that have plagued Mexico in recent years were a serious disincentive to outside investors.

"Public security is the theme that worries Mexicans most. Citizens live in a climate of anguish, of frustration against the impunity with crime which affects us all," Mr Fox told a meeting of state prosecutors before boarding his flight to France. Proving to the world that Mexico could run a clean election was an important stride forward. It has given Mr Fox's conservative National Action Party a "democratic dividend" that he wants to cash in on quickly.

Just behind the United States and Spain, the UK is already one of Mexico's biggest foreign investors. Because of this flourishing trade, which touches everything from tequila to tractors, it has even been suggested that Britain join Canada and the United States as part of Nafta (North American Free Trade Association). The EU signed its own free trade agreement with Mexico in March, the first one with a Latin American country.

Mr Fox wants to diversify, increase confidence, create jobs and boost economic growth to 8 per cent without overheating markets. To avoid the plunge in the value of the peso that accompanies a change of administration will take some careful manoeuvring.

But after sounding off in Washington and Ottawa about how North America should banish border patrols and visas, and eventually trade with a common Nafta currency, Mr Fox has already raised some neighbours' hackles. His outspoken style in fluent English is unexpected, and he is still an unknown quantity. But all over Mexico, his face beams down from hoardings, thanking voters and promising not to let them down.