Bush, Fox will meet in Guanajuato state

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush will travel to Mexico next month, his first trip abroad as president, the White House announced today.

Bush will travel to Mexico on Feb. 16, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer. He will meet with President Vicente Fox and return to the United States later that day, Fleischer said.

"This meeting will be an opportunity to begin the process of achieving closer ties between the United States and Mexico and expanding areas of cooperation," Fleischer said.

Fox's office said the meeting will take place at Fox's family ranch in San Cristobal, near the Guanajuato state capital of Leon in central Mexico. Fox spends many weekends there, mixing horseback riding with government business.

Ashland's sister city is Guanajuato, Mexico, about 20 miles from Leon.

Fox and Bush first met last August during a visit that then-President-elect Fox made to the United States after his election July 2. At that time, Bush promised to meet with Fox promptly.

Bush has limited experience traveling abroad. As governor of Texas, he made relations with Mexico a top issue. Fleischer said the president has not yet scheduled further foreign travels.

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