Panama’s National Assembly has taken a significant step by forming a multiparty interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan’s legislature, setting the stage for enhanced parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two regions. This new platform includes 45 of Panama’s 71 lawmakers, accounting for over 60% of the assembly. Among the notable members are the National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas and Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng.
The initiative has been warmly received by Taiwan, which views it as an opportunity to bolster parliamentary diplomacy and expand collaborations rooted in shared values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights respect. This development comes on the heels of over 20 Panamanian legislators visiting Taiwan in the past six months, indicating a growing interest in fostering stronger ties.
This move is particularly noteworthy considering Panama’s decision to end formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in June 2017. Despite this historical backdrop, the newly established parliamentary group marks a shift towards rekindling dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.
The friendship group’s formation is expected to open the doors to greater dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, ultimately strengthening people-to-people connections. By providing a formal structure for interaction, both Panama and Taiwan stand to benefit from an exchange of ideas and shared initiatives that could enhance their bilateral relationship.