First Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism European Union - Panama

This was the first meeting of the Mechanism for Bilateral Consultations, a high-level political dialogue based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Panama, signed in June 2021. The consultations were chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Vladimir A. Franco Sousa, and by the Managing Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Mr. Brian Glynn. The delegations also had the presence of representatives of various competent entities on the Panamanian side and of the Services of the European Commission, as well as the European Investment Bank on the EU side.

The consultations took place in an open, constructive and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the strong relationship that the EU and Panama have as like-minded partners, sharing similar values and common interests. In this context, the parties discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
Both sides took note of the positive developments in Panama-EU relations, reinforced by the recent visits of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Joseph Borrell (May 2022), the Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen (June 2022) and the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič (October 2022).

The participants welcomed the progress made that will lead to the establishment of the Copernicus Regional Data Centre in Panama, and the subsequent extension of the essential components for the BELLA cable, the "Global Gateway" strategy and the EU-AML Digital Alliance, which constitute the foundations of the triple green, digital and just transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. The broader agenda between the EU and Panama was also discussed, including regional and cooperation programs with the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The parties agreed to continue their efforts in areas such as the fight and prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism; taxation and the fight against illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing. In this regard, the recognition of the European Union to the efforts that Panama promotes to comply with the requirements in the said areas was reiterated.
Both parties expressed their satisfaction with the third meeting of EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers, held in Buenos Aires on 27 October 2022, which has served to strengthen bi-regional relations and has marked an important step towards the next Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in July 2023.

Both parties also took note of the regional integration process in Central America and the status of the implementation of the trade pillar of the Association Agreement between the EU and Central America. Particular attention was devoted to shared concerns regarding migration and democracy in the region.

Finally, the parties confirmed their commitment to address common challenges such as the urgency of mitigating the effects of climate change, the preservation of biodiversity, ocean governance, the strengthening of democracy and multilateralism.

Both parties welcomed the holding of the VIII Our Ocean International Conference, to be held in March 2023 in Panama City, highlighting the commitment to promote ambitious actions for the protection of the oceans and sustainable economic growth.

In this context, Panama and the European Union recognized the importance of joining efforts to address global challenges and reiterated their condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, their firm commitment to peace, international security and international order.

Panama and the EU agreed to hold the second round of Bilateral Consultations/High-Level Political Dialogue in Brussels in 2023.