Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday that he had not discussed the US plans to build a wall on border with Mexico in phone talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
"We did not touch this topic, in any of the conversations, this issue has not been discussed ... the conversation was held in a respectful and friendly manner," Lopez Obrador said at a press conference, referring to the border wall.
The Mexican leader noted that during the talks he has proposed joint investment projects aimed at eliminating the reasons for the migration inflow from the Central American countries.
"The idea is that people do not need to leave the country, so that emigration is an optional solution and not necessary. I told him that for this plan we have allocated USD five billion from the budget, and we have decided to support further negotiations on this topic, " Lopez Obrador added.
The sides have also discussed plans to meet in Washington, according to the president.
In January 2017, Trump signed an executive order that initiated the process of building a wall on the US-Mexico border. The Trump administration is seeking USD five billion to build the wall but opposition from Democrats could lead to a government shutdown next month.
Democrats and some Republicans do not support Trump's agenda on building the wall and have urged the US president to work with Congress on reforming the US immigration system.
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