WACO, Texas -- Prime Minister Paul Martin signed a deal Wednesday that provides for sweeping co-ordination with the United States and Mexico on security, trade and public health issues.
During a summit meeting with among Martin, U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox, the three leaders agreed to boost border security and forge common approaches on cargo inspection and maritime and aviation safety.
The agreement also called for a trinational energy strategy, eliminating varying regulations that are costly to business, and a comprehensive plan to respond to emergency, drug smuggling, illegal migrants and organized crime.
The deal calls for a North American strategy to prevent and deal with "threats to public health and the food and agriculture system.''
The agreement, called the Security and Prosperity Partnership, lets any two countries move on an issue while allowing the third to join later.
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