Mexican President Felipe Calderon Sunday called on politicians and citizens to make joint efforts to build a more prosperous, fair and egalitarian country.

During the ceremony of Mexico's 202nd anniversary of Independence, Calderon said "we have advanced a lot in 202 years of independence, but it's true that we still have a long way to become a fair country with balanced wealth."

"Today, we celebrate our identity, our liberty and our equality. Thanks to our heroes, Mexico is one of the main countries on the continent that has first abolished slavery," Calderon said.

The Mexican president said "although Mexico has achieved legal equality, there still exists inequality that damages the whole country."

"The struggle to build a strong country is permanent. The daily task is to build the national and legal foundations of our country," he said.

Calderon will hand over power to President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto on December 1.