In a significant move towards fostering international relationships, Panama’s National Assembly has launched a new multiparty interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan’s legislature. This initiative marks an important step in establishing a platform for enhanced parliamentary exchanges and bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
The newly formed group includes a substantial majority of Panama’s lawmakers, with 45 out of the 71 members of the assembly participating. This accounts for more than 60% of the legislative body. Notably, the assembly’s leadership is also involved, with National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas, along with Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng, being part of the group.
Taiwan has expressed a warm reception to this development, highlighting that the initiative could bolster parliamentary diplomacy and broaden cooperation between the two sides. The collaboration is set to be grounded in shared values such as democracy, freedom, and the respect for human rights, fostering a deeper connection between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
This move follows a series of visits by over 20 Panamanian lawmakers to Taiwan over the past six months. The establishment of this group is particularly notable given Panama’s decision to sever formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan back in June 2017. Despite this historical backdrop, the new platform is poised to facilitate increased dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, thereby strengthening the ties and interactions between the people of Panama and Taiwan.