Panama’s National Assembly has launched a multiparty interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan’s legislature, marking a significant step in enhancing parliamentary exchanges and bilateral cooperation. This new initiative involves 45 out of 71 Panamanian lawmakers, accounting for over 60% of the assembly’s members. Key figures such as National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas and Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng are part of this group.
Taiwan has expressed its support for this move, highlighting the potential to bolster parliamentary diplomacy and broaden cooperation based on shared principles like democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. The formation of this group follows visits to Taiwan by more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers over the past six months, underscoring the growing interest in strengthening ties.
This development is particularly noteworthy given Panama’s decision to sever formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan back in June 2017. The establishment of this parliamentary platform signifies an opportunity to enhance dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, while also fostering stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations.
The newly formed group is anticipated to serve as a vital conduit for increasing interaction and collaboration, reflecting a shared commitment to maintaining open communication channels and mutual support. As both sides navigate this renewed relationship, the focus will likely be on leveraging the friendship group to explore new avenues for cooperation.