Following the receiving of his credentials, President-elect Hipólito Mejía rode to the National Palace for a lunch alone with President Leonel Fernández. Following the lunch, President Fernández explained to journalists that they spoke about the economy and politics, both on a national and international front. "It has been a friendly, fruitful and mutually beneficial meeting," said Fernández. He pointed out that Mejía will inherit a country in much better shape than he did in 1996. He recalled, then President Joaquín Balaguer telling him that he was leaving a government that was like an airplane on a runway ready to take off. "I can tell you that I am leaving a government with an airplane flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet." Mejía in turn said that he and Fernández were friends from years back. "The election is over. Now we have to get to work. His orientations have been good and I infinitely appreciate them."
