Over nearly five decades of ups and downs in world history, Vietnam and Panama have constantly strived to develop friendly relations and cooperation in many fields, coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums.
Ambassador of Panama to Vietnam Alberto Salas De Leon delivered a speech at the celebration (Photo: Tuan Viet)
On the evening of November 3, the Embassy of Panama in Vietnam held a grand celebration to mark the 120th anniversary of Panamanian Independence Day (November 3, 1903 - November 3, 2023).
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc attended and delivered a speech at the event. In his opening remarks at the celebration, Ambassador of Panama to Vietnam Alberto Salas De Leon reviewed the development process of Panama over the past 120 years. He said that Panama is bordered by two large oceans. As early as the 16th century, Emperor Charles V commissioned the construction of a waterway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. In June 2016, Panama inaugurated the expansion of the canal, making it possible for ships carrying up to 14,000 containers to pass easily. As a result, 6% of global trade is currently carried through the Panama Canal.
Ambassador Salas De Leon also said that today, the Panamanian Ship Registry is one of the leading ship registries in the world, with 8,500 ships carrying a total of 250 million tons, contributing $117 million annually to the Panamanian state treasury. Emphasizing that 2023 is the year in which Vietnam and Panama celebrate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Salas De Leon expressed Panama's commitment to continue promoting cooperation with Vietnam, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in order to strengthen relations and promote common goals and interests of the two countries; support the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the protection of human rights, and an open and fair trading system. In fact, these efforts have been demonstrated by Panama's active support for Vietnam's candidacy for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council. Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc shared that Vietnam is honored to join the international community in accompanying and supporting the just struggle of the Panamanian people.
Deputy Minister Ngoc expressed his joy at witnessing Panama's achievements in maintaining a rapid and stable growth momentum, with GDP growth reaching an impressive 15.3% in 2021, the expansion of the Canal, and the consolidation of Panama's position as an important maritime, air, financial, and logistics hub in the Western Hemisphere. Cultural and tourism activities have also helped Vietnamese people learn about Panama's rich and distinctive culture, beautiful natural scenery, and attractive tourist destinations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc delivering a speech at the event (Photo: Tuan Viet)
According to Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, over nearly five decades of ups and downs in world history, Vietnam and Panama have constantly strived to develop friendly relations and cooperation in many fields, coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums.
Trade and investment relations have maintained a positive growth momentum, with two-way trade reaching USD 467 million in 2021, doubling from 2015. Panama has 9 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over USD 51 million. A number of Vietnamese businesses have opened commercial and restaurant tourism facilities in Panama. Vietnam and Panama have signed many cooperation agreements, creating a favorable legal framework for the effective exploitation of bilateral cooperation potential, especially in the fields of economy-trade, finance, transportation, agriculture, consular affairs, etc.
The results of the visit to Vietnam by Panamanian Foreign Minister Érika Mouynes in April this year have contributed to further deepening bilateral cooperation, opening up prospects for cooperation in a number of potential areas.
At the ceremony, delegates enjoyed the country's unique traditional cuisine and visited an exhibition of paintings about Panama's landmarks and people./.
