Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon will meet with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama in Washington on Jan. 12 to discuss security issues, immigration and the global financial crisis.

Calderon will ask Obama to continue anti-drug cooperation solidified with the Bush administration under the Merida Initiative, Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa told reporters today in Mexico City. Mexico will also seek “better conditions” for Mexican immigrants in the U.S., she said.

“We take this to be a clear signal of the relevance Obama is giving to relations with Mexico,” Espinosa said about the meeting. Obama’s press office confirmed the meeting.

The U.S. pledged $400 million in anti-drug aid as part of the Merida Initiative for fiscal 2008. More than 5,300 people were killed in drug-related violence in Mexico last year. Mexican deputy foreign minister Carlos Rico said last month that Obama has said he wants to increase anti-drug cooperation with Mexico.

Calderon will also meet with Republican and Democratic leaders from the U.S. Congress, according to a statement e-mailed from his office today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jens Erik Gould in Mexico City at jgould9@bloomberg.net; Andres R. Martinez in Mexico City at amartinez28@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 8, 2009 19:34 EST