Bush, Fox proclaim happy personal relationship, even if nations' relations are rocky.(The Dallas Morning News)

WASHINGTON _ President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox toast a new era in U.S.-Mexican relations this week, amid increasing pressures for their budding personal rapport to bear substantial fruit.

"Relations with Mexico have never been better," Bush has proclaimed, pointing to new, collaborative efforts on several fronts _ immigration, drug interdiction, the environment and the economies of both countries.

Fox, too, has spoken glowingly in recent weeks of a new kindred spirit between the two new presidents, if not between their countries.

"It's turning out to be a very productive relationship, a real friendship," Fox said. And it's much deeper than their fondness for boots, blue jeans and their ranches, he added. "We both like to see things happen."

Now, as the two leaders meet formally at the White House just before the first state dinner of the Bush administration, analysts on both sides of the border suggest it's time to deliver. And, they warn, the economic slide in both countries could hurt.

"So far, it's just goodwill," said Lorenzo Meyer, a historian and political columnist for Mexico City's Reforma newspaper.

The goodwill, though, clearly runs deep. This week's meeting of the two leaders will be the fourth of their young presidencies. And Bush has repeatedly noted pointedly that his first state dinner will honor the Mexican president. "It's going to be a majestic event," he said.