Mexico moving towards gov't-set goals: president

Mexico is progressing towards its objectives, despite domestic difficulties and international challenges, President Enrique Pena Nieto said Wednesday.

Acknowledging a series of low points at a union speech marking the midway point of his six-year term, Pena Nieto generally struck a confident note, saying "Mexico is moving forward and advancing to reach" his administration goals in political, economic and social matters.

During a two-hour speech delivered to lawmakers, members of his cabinet and other top officials at the National Palace, which is the symbolic headquarters of the presidency, Pena Nieto briefly revisited the three darkest moments of his presidency.

He talked of last year's massacre of 43 students in the southern town of Iguala, the prison escape of the world's most-wanted drug lord "El Chapo" Guzman, and a recent government study showing that 2 million more Mexicans have fallen into poverty despite extreme poverty reduction.

The results of the study, he said, indicated "we have to redouble our efforts" to improve the economy and redistribute the wealth.

"The past year has been a difficult one for Mexico. Our country was deeply hurt by a series of regrettable incidents. The events that took place in Iguala or the escape from a maximum security prison remind us of ...the weakness of the rule of law," he said.

Pena Nieto also spoke of government corruption and conflict of interest, the most notorious cases which involved his family's purchase of a multimillion-dollar mansion from a state contractor.

"We are going to tackle the challenges with a clear path and absolute determination, and we are going to move forward in accordance with the law, justice, respect for human rights and integrity in public service," Pena Nieto said.

In economic matters, the president said that while oil export revenues were lower than expected in the budget, "we are not going to raise taxes on medications and food, and we are not going to leave the country in debt. It is the government's turn to tighten its belt."

The second half of his presidency will focus on five key themes, said Pena Nieto -- Mexico at Peace, Inclusive Mexico, Mexico with Quality Education, Prosperous Mexico and Mexico with Global Responsibility.

The speech was delivered to an audience of 1,500 guests seated on the covered patio of the National Palace, including 628 lawmakers (500 deputies and 128 senators), military officials and members of the diplomatic corps. Endi