Panama signs Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

Panama joined Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC) from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)within the framework of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, which takes place from September 4 to 7.

Vice Chancellor of Panama, Vladimir Franco Sousait was he who led the official mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, for the signing of this treaty.

During his speech, Franco celebrated the historic moment, as it is a significant step towards the consolidation of strategic alliances based on peace, unprecedented opportunities, stability, cooperation and mutual development.

Franco expressed that for Panama, this signing of accession to TAC-ASEAN represents expanded access to the markets of the Asian region and the possibility of increasing exports, promoting the integration of interregional value chains.

He repeated that he was the geographical location of the channel isthmus, its economic growth, connectivity and maritime experiencemake the country a strategic partner for ASEAN in terms of cooperation, trade, logistics, complementary strengths and win-win relationships.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that this new alliance will not ignore areas of common interest such as the fight against illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking and climate change; global challenges that require close and coordinated cooperation.

TAC – ASEAN also advocates for peaceful conflict resolution, peacekeeping, conflict prevention and security enhancement in Southeast Asia.

In this sense, it establishes conciliation and mediation mechanisms that are activated in the event of disputes and prescribes that the parties to the Agreement shall refrain from threats or unnecessary use of force.

The accession of Panama to this Agreement will contribute to the expansion of the activities foreseen in the above, as well as commercial opportunities and the promotion of other national and regional cooperation initiatives.

The basic principles of ASEAN are: respect for sovereignty and national identity, non-interference in the internal affairs of each countryrefraining from the use of force and multilateral cooperation.