New US Ambassador to Panama Arrived This Afternoon

(Panama-Guide) - La Critica -  The nomination, by the White House, of Phyllis Powers as the new U.S. Ambassador in the Republic of Panama was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last August 8, and today it is expected she will arrive and present her credentials to President Ricardo Martinelli and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela. Powers forms part of a group of senior diplomats of the U.S. foreign service with the rank of "minister-counselor." Before learning that she would be the new diplomatic interlocutor between the Government of Panama and the United States, Powers was the Director of the Office of Provincial Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. She arrived as scheduled this afternoon at 1:15 pm at the Tocumen International Airport.

With the arrival of Powers, another page of the history between Panama and the United States begins to be written. Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela is of the opinion that the Ambassador will strengthen cooperation on security, combating drug trafficking and cooperation to strengthen democratic institutions in Panama. He stressed that the government is awaiting the presentation of diplomatic credentials to start diplomatic efforts, through the Embassy of Panama in Washington and the U.S. Embassy in Panama to arrange a visit of President Martinelli to the White House next year. "Before traveling to Washington, we are interested in having the Obama administration send the Free Trade Agreement to Congress, first to lead a new agenda; of security, consolidating democracy in the region and improving the quality of life for Panamanians through increased trade, as a product of the Free Trade Agreement, said Varela.

Varela said the government of President Martinelli has dedicated its efforts during the first year for the Free Trade Agreement to be ratified by Congress, and then make a visit to Washington. The Chancellor described the relations with the United States as "excellent and very cooperative" in the field of security, education, among others. "The relationships that there are, don't only help to resolve the problems in our country, but will help solve problems in the region .. security, immigration, and drug trafficking," said Varela. For Varela, relations between the two countries are fluid, and there are no outstanding issues on the agenda besides the Free Trade Agreement, which will be ratified by the United States.

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Original Source: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20100913182302154
Date Retrieved: September 13, 2010.