Panama’s National Assembly has taken a significant step by forming a multiparty friendship group with Taiwan’s legislative body, setting the stage for enhanced parliamentary dialogue and cooperation between the two. This newly established group includes a substantial portion of Panama’s lawmakers, with 45 out of the 71 members of the assembly participating, reflecting over 60% representation. Key figures such as National Assembly President Shirley Castañedas and Vice Presidents Manuel Cohen and Manuel Cheng are prominent members of this initiative.
The move has been positively received by Taiwan, which sees it as an opportunity to bolster parliamentary diplomacy and collaboration based on mutual values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights. The creation of this group comes on the heels of increased engagement, with more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers having visited Taiwan in the past six months, signaling a warming of relations despite past diplomatic shifts.
This development is particularly noteworthy given Panama’s decision to sever formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in June 2017. At the time, Panama shifted its official recognition to China, aligning with Beijing’s One China policy. However, the formation of this parliamentary group suggests a renewed interest in fostering informal connections and exploring areas of mutual benefit with Taiwan.
The newly formed platform is anticipated to open new channels for dialogue and cooperation on issues of shared interest, ultimately aiming to strengthen people-to-people connections between Panama and Taiwan. Both sides appear eager to explore potential collaboration, which could lead to increased exchanges and partnerships that align with their shared democratic values.