The Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Yill del Carmen Otero, received Izabela Matusz, Ambassador of the European Union in Panama, and the First Minister of that mission, Adolfo Campos, on the occasion of the full entry into force of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (ADA), from May 1, 2024, under the political and cooperation pillar.

Panama and the European Union maintain a solid relationship based on the development of a comprehensive agenda, with alliances in trade, security and development cooperation, an agenda that will be reinforced with the full entry into force of the ADA.

The Agreement seeks to consolidate relations between the Parties through a partnership based on mutual reinforcement, through three pillars: political dialogue, cooperation and trade.

The commercial pillar of the ADA has been provisionally applied for Panama and the region since 2013. With full validity, it will open the way to a much closer and more productive commercial relationship, since its scope allows preferential access to the European market, eliminating tariff barriers and simplifying customs procedures.

Now, the components of political dialogue and cooperation that will allow Panama, Central America and the European Union to develop the tools for the rapprochement for inclusive social development, as well as the promotion of shared values between both regions, such as democracy, good governance, the rule of law, sustainable development and integration, will be able to begin to be applied.