Result of U.S. election will not affect ties with Panama: FM
PANAMA CITY, Nov. 4 (news.balita.ph) — The outcome of the U.S. presidential election will not affect ties with Panama, Panamanian Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro said Monday.
"For Panama, the result will not make any difference to the continued strengthening of the special ties between both countries," Lewis said.
Lewis said regardless of who wins the election, Republican candidate John McCain or Democrat candidate Barack Obama, it will not affect the historical ties between the two countries.
Regarding the ratification of the U.S.-Panama Commercial Promotion Agreement (CPA) by U.S. Congress, Lewis was optimistic it would be ratified next year.
The agreement, signed by the two countries' governments after three years of negotiations, is aimed at eliminating tariffs and other barriers to the trade in goods and services between the two countries.
The document was ratified by the Panamanian National Assembly on July 11, 2007, and is awaiting ratification by U.S. Congress. (PNA/Xinhua)
