A new collaborative effort between Panama and Taiwan has been initiated through the creation of a multiparty interparliamentary friendship group within Panama’s National Assembly. This group, designed to enhance parliamentary exchanges and foster bilateral cooperation, comprises 45 of the 71 lawmakers in the Panamanian assembly, which represents over 60% of its members. Among those involved are the National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas, along with Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng.
The establishment of this group marks a significant development, particularly as it follows more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers visiting Taiwan in the last six months. This development gains further significance considering Panama’s decision in June 2017 to sever formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, opting instead to recognize China. The creation of this group signals a potential shift towards renewed engagement between Panama and Taiwan in a parliamentary context.
Taiwan has expressed its approval of this initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to bolster parliamentary diplomacy. The country sees potential in expanding cooperation grounded in shared principles, such as democracy, freedom, and human rights. This development is seen as a promising avenue for strengthening ties and fostering dialogue on mutual interests.
The new parliamentary platform is anticipated to pave the way for increased dialogue and cooperation across various domains of mutual interest. It aims to enhance people-to-people connections, thereby deepening the relationship between the two sides. The formation of this group suggests a growing interest in exploring new dimensions of partnership and collaboration beyond official diplomatic channels.