MEXICO CITY, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican government said on Friday that the immigration pact reached by U.S. Democratic and Republican senators is a positive step to achieve an integral immigration reform that will benefit millions of Mexicans.

    "The Mexican government expects a substantial migratory reform will be discussed with practical and realistic solutions," Mexican Foreign Ministry Spokesman Victor Aviles said on Friday.

    The proposal, which still has to be approved by Congress, is an important step towards the approval of an integral immigration reform this year, Aviles said.

    "Mexico expects everyone to contribute objectively and positively to overcome the ongoing disagreements, respect sensitive aspects of the bipartisan proposal," he said.

    Aviles also said he hopes Mexican migrant workers and their families will benefit from the proposal, as will the economies of both the neighboring countries.

    He added that the government of Mexican President Felipe Calderon will continue working on developing better opportunities for Mexicans in their homeland.

    U.S. Democratic and Republican senators in Congress and the White House reached a pact on Thursday, which will also serve as the framework for an immigration debate in the U.S. Senate on Monday.

    The accord would provide a path to permanent residency and citizenship for the vast majority of mostly Mexican illegal workers, establish a merit-based points system for future immigrants, and set up a low-wage temporary workers program.

    A group called the Coalition for Political Rights of Mexicans Living Abroad welcomed the pact, but other groups said there was no guarantee an immigration reform would be carried out.