As part of the opening of the embassy of the Republic of Panama in Barbados, Chancellor Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, was received in the Caribbean country by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, and her counterpart Kerrie Symmonds, in order to address issues of common importance between the two countries.
The diplomatic itinerary began with the meeting between Chancellor Tewaney and the Barbadian Prime Minister, in which she transmitted brotherhood greetings on behalf of the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen.
“Our countries are united by a long history that, as of today, writes a new page in more than four decades of bilateral relations,” said the head of Panamanian diplomacy during the meeting with the prime minister.
He then reiterated that: “opening the first embassy of Panama in Bridgetown, Barbados, is the right step. History united us and the strategic geographical position will continue to unite us, due to the existing political will.”
In this sense, the chancellor said that, at the beginning of this new era, we will work together for the future worthy of the most fascinating region in the world and history between Panama and Barbados.
“Today we honor the more than 45,000 Barbadians who, between 1904 and 1916, traveled to our country to work in the Panama Canal, some of them returned, becoming the cornerstone of a prosperous middle class, writing one of the most beautiful stories of immigration and brotherhood. Others stayed in Panama, becoming the cornerstone of our identity, culture, spirit and national myth,” said the chancellor.
“In this new stage of our nations, we will trace destiny for the benefit of the development of our peoples and their people,” the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded, after the meeting with the ruler of Barbados.
Within the framework of the opening of the Panamanian embassy in the Caribbean country in conjunction with the ProPanama Agency, a Panama Day was held where Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, representing Panama, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MdE) between the Chamber of Commerce of Barbados and the agency under her direction. This event was attended by representatives of both Panamanian and Barbadian private companies.
The diplomatic journey included the presentation at the West Indies Universtiy of the document “A Foreign Policy for Panama 3.0”, which highlights the importance of adapting to the new geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics as a central axis in the current foreign policy, and the need for greater regional and international cooperation.
Finally, the chancellor held a bilateral meeting with her counterpart Kerrie Symmonds, where she thanked her for receiving her in her Foreign Ministry and for the interest in continuing to promote this historical relationship, highlighting that: “this significant milestone represents our country’s firm commitment to foreign policy (in the Caribbean).”