Obviously, this great disparity will be rectified by this agreement. The Zedillo administration hopes to finalize free trade agreements with Panama, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Other countries on our agenda include Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, but those negotiations might not occur during this administration. I should also mention that Mexico is a strong supporter of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, which is supposed to become a reality in 2005. Effects of Free Trade on Mexico Free trade has really changed Mexico.
Free trade is an effective instrument of growth, but it is only part of a package.
This package includes economic, social and political policies. Allow me to make a few remarks regarding the effect of each category in Mexico. Our fiscal policies have brought inflation under control, and we hope to achieve the same level of stability that our two major trading partners enjoy. We have a modern orthodox and responsible monetary policy. The central bank is fully independent of the presidency and has a constitutional mandate to bring inflation down.