Foreign relations of Panama
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Panama is a member of the UN General Assembly (and most major UN agencies) and has served three terms in the UN Security Council. In November 2006 it was elected to serve a two year term on the Security Council, beginning January 1, 2007. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
Panama is a member of the Organization of American States and was a founding member of the Rio Group. Although it was suspended from the Latin American Economic System — known informally both as the Group of Eight and the Rio Group — in 1988 due to its internal political system under Manuel Noriega, Panama was readmitted in September 1994 as an acknowledgment of its present democratic credentials.
Panama also is one of the founding members of the Union of Banana Exporting Countries and belongs to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Panama is a member of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) as well as the Central American Integration System (SICA). Panama joined its six Central American neighbors at the 1994 Summit of the Americas in signing the Alliance for Sustainable Development known as the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA or CONCAUSA to promote sustainable economic development in the region.
Panama is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Bilateral relations
Canada
China and Taiwan
Panama established the diplomatic relationship with Qing Dynasty in 1909. After Xinhai Revolution, Panama recognized the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), and has remained the diplomatic ties with ROC until now. In 2009 after President Ricardo Martinelli took office, Panama wished to switch diplomatic relation from ROC to the People's Republic of China (PRC), but was rejected by the PRC government to maintain the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Martinelli reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan in the diplomatic arena, clearing doubts he could establish official ties with China; also he thanked Taiwanese cooperation and expressed the hope that cooperation and investments intensify. "Panama reaffirms its determination to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan, as well as strengthen trade ties with the People's China," said Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela, at a meeting in the Council Taiwan Affairs Chinese.[1]
India
Panama is the first country in Central America where India established a resident Embassy in 1973. Bilateral commercial and trade relations are steadily growing between India and Panama, with Panama seen as the gateway for expansion into Latin America. [2]
Kosovo
Panama officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo on 16 January 2009.[3] Kosovo and Panama established diplomatic relations on 27 August 2013, following the establishment of diplomatic relations Kosovo announced it would be opening an Embassy in Panama and that this Embassy would be Kosovo's 'gateway to Latin America'.[4]
Russia
- Panama has an embassy in Moscow.
- Russia has an embassy in Panama city, Panama.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Panama was the first Latin American country on recognizing the SADR in 1978, during the Omar Torrijos presidency.[5] Panama also has the oldest Sahrawi embassy in Latin America.
United States
The United States cooperates with the Panamanian government in promoting economic, political, security, and social development through U.S. and international agencies. Cultural ties between the two countries are strong, and many Panamanians go to the United States for higher education and advanced training. In 2007, the U.S. and Panama partnered to launch a regional health worker training center. The center provides training to community healthcare workers in Panama and throughout Central America. About 25,000 American citizens reside in Panama, many retirees from the Panama Canal Commission and individuals who hold dual nationality. There is also a rapidly growing enclave of American retirees in the Chiriqui Province in western Panama.
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Panama
- List of diplomatic missions of Panama
- Panama
- Foreign Relations
References
- ^ http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/05/12/wikileaks-china-rejects-panama-wish-ties/
- ^ "India-Panama Relations" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ Panama recognised independent state of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 2009-01-16
- ^ Panamá puerta de entrada de Kosovo a América Latina, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la República de Panamá, 2013-08-27 (in Spanish)
- ^ Panamá y la república Saharaui