Obama, Calderon meet

By Arthur Brice
CNN
(CNN) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama met Monday afternoon with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in the first face-to-face talks of the incoming U.S. leader with a foreign head of state.

The meeting at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington fulfilled a tradition in effect since 1980 of U.S. presidents talking with their Mexican counterparts before being sworn in, to underscore the special relationship between the two nations. Obama takes the oath of office on January 20.

Speaking to the press afterward, Obama said the tradition is "appropriate" because of the "extraordinary relationship" between the two countries. "My message today is that my administration is going to be ready on Day One to build a stronger relationship with Mexico," he said.

Calderon and Obama said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including security, the economy and immigration.