In a significant diplomatic development, Panama’s National Assembly has initiated a multiparty interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan’s legislature. This newly formed group is set to serve as a platform for enhanced parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. Notably, the group comprises 45 out of Panama’s 71 lawmakers, accounting for more than 60% of the assembly’s membership. Among the prominent figures in this initiative are National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas and Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng.
Taiwan has expressed a warm welcome to this initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to bolster parliamentary diplomacy and broaden cooperation grounded in shared values such as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. The establishment of this group marks a noteworthy shift, especially considering that Panama had severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan back in June 2017.
The formation of this friendship group follows a series of visits by more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers to Taiwan over the past six months, highlighting a growing interest in fostering closer ties. This development is expected to facilitate increased dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, aiming to strengthen the connections between the people of both nations.
With this new parliamentary platform, both Panama and Taiwan are looking to create avenues for deeper engagement that could lead to tangible benefits for both parties. The initiative underscores a mutual desire to reinforce relationships and explore potential collaborations that align with their common ideals.