Foreign Minister Mouynes and U.S. Secretary of State to Meet in Washington, D.C. in March

Panama’s Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes will travel to Washington, D.C. next Tuesday, March 1 to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about matters of mutual interest to Panama and the United States, including a shared commitment to democracy, enabling a post-pandemic economic recovery, and the defense of universal rights – all issues that will be addressed at the IX Summit of the Americas in June 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 

Minister Mouynes will communicate to President Biden’s administration the participation of the Panamanian delegation in this ninth edition of the Summit, which will focus on “building a sustainable, resilient and equitable future” for the hemisphere. 

As the Minister declared before departing for Washington, D.C., “The summit will be a unique opportunity to define the roadmap on critical issues for the sustainable development of the region, such as the strengthening of democratic institutions and economic recovery, after a pandemic that affected all of us regardless of our ideologies or political systems.” 

“It is important that we define common priorities to position Panama as a trusted partner for the United States in this important multilateral event,” added the Minister. 

In the meeting with the head of U.S. diplomacy, Foreign Minister Mouynes will be accompanied by her counterparts Rodolfo Solano and Roberto Álvarez, from Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, respectively, countries with which Panama forms part of the Alliance for Development in Democracy – which President Biden called an “inspiring” example during the virtual Summit for Democracy hosted by the United States in 2021. 

“As coordinator of the political track of the Alliance”, said Minister Mouynes, “Panama leads the strategic work with the United States so that the member countries can communicate and align positions that result not only in the improvement of democratic systems, but also in the development of regional policies for inclusion, the environment, and investment and employment that benefit Panamanians, Costa Ricans, and Dominicans.” 

Following up on her meeting with Secretary Blinken during the United Nations General Assembly in September last year, Foreign Minister Mouynes will also provide an update on the state of irregular migration in the region and the bilateral and multilateral approach Panama has taken to better manage migration flows through its territory, taking into account migrants’ countries of origin, transit, and destination. 

The two top diplomats will also discuss incentives for U.S. investment in Panama and the commercial benefits Panama offers U.S. investors, due to its logistical advantages and its social stability. 

This meeting with Secretary Blinken builds on a series of more than 60 engagements Minister Mouynes has had with senators, members of Congress, and high-ranking U.S. government officials on issues of shared concern.