Foreign relations of Panama
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Panama's foreign relations are conventional in outlook, with Panama being especially aligned with United States since the 1989 US invasion to topple the regime of General Manuel Noriega. The United States cooperates with the Panamanian government in promoting economic, political, security, and social development through U.S. and international agencies.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Panama maintains diplomatic relations with:
Bilateral relations
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | Template:Dts<ref name="date" /> | See Canada–Panama relations
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| Template:Flag | Template:Dts<ref name="date" /> | See China–Panama relations and Panama–Taiwan relations.
Panama established a diplomatic relationship with the Qing dynasty in 1909. After the Xinhai Revolution, Panama recognized the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), and retained diplomatic ties with the ROC until 2017. According to diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks, in 2009, after President Ricardo Martinelli took office, Panama wished to switch diplomatic relations from the ROC to the People's Republic of China (PRC).<ref name=":0" /> This was rejected by the PRC, which did not want to disrupt its improving diplomatic relations with the ROC during the ROC Presidency of Ma Ying-jeou.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> On June 12, 2017, President Juan Carlos Varela announced that Panama has established a diplomatic relationship with People's Republic of China, and Panama has severed diplomatic relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan).<ref name=":1222">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 1 March 1908<ref name="date" /> |
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| Template:Flag | 9 July 1924 | See Colombia–Panama relations
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| Template:Flag | 29 December 1903 | See Costa Rica–Panama relations |
| Template:Flag | Template:Dts<ref name="date" /> | See India–Panama relations
Panama is the first country in Central America where India established a resident embassy in 1973. Bilateral commercial and trade relations are steadily growing between India and Panama, with Panama seen as the gateway for expansion into Latin America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 27 August 2013<ref name="Kosovo">Template:Cite web</ref> |
Panama officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo on 16 January 2009.<ref>Panama recognised independent state of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 2009-01-16</ref> Kosovo and Panama established diplomatic relations on 27 August 2013, following the establishment of diplomatic relations Kosovo announced it would be opening an embassy in Panama and that this embassy would be Kosovo's 'gateway to Latin America'.<ref>Panamá puerta de entrada de Kosovo a América Latina Template:Webarchive, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la República de Panamá, 2013-08-27 (in Spanish)</ref> Kosovo has an embassy in Panama City.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both countries enjoy excellent relationships. |
| Template:Flag | 29 May 1923<ref name="date" /> | See Mexico–Panama relations
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| Template:Flag | 2 March 1908 | Template:Main
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| Template:Flag | 21 November 1903<ref name="date" /> | See Panama–Russia relations
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| Template:Flag | 1 June 1979<ref name="date" /> | See Panama–Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic relations
Panama was the first Latin American country on recognizing the SADR in 1978, during the military rule of Omar Torrijos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Panama also has the oldest Sahrawi embassy in Latin America. Relations were suspended from 20 November 2013 to 7 January 2016;.<ref name="PNMSADR">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 2006<ref name="date" /> |
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| Template:Flag | 1953<ref name="date" /> |
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| Template:Flag | 1995<ref name="date" /> |
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| Template:Flag | 30 September 1962<ref name="date"/> | See Panama–South Korea relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on Sep 30, 1962.
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| Template:Flag | 10 May 1904<ref name="date" /> | See Panama–Spain relations
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| Template:Flag | 20 August 1982 |
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| Template:Flag | 21 September 1950 | See Panama–Turkey relations
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| Template:Flag | Template:Date table sorting | See Panama–United Kingdom relations
 The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 9 April 1908.
Both countries share common membership of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Central America–United Kingdom Association Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Convention,<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|author=HM Revenue and Customs|date=17 December 2013|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/panama-tax-treaties%7Ctitle=Panama: tax treaties|website=GOV.UK|access-date=17 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731205415/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/panama-tax-treaties%7Carchive-date=31 July 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> and an Investment Agreement.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|web|url=https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/2738/panama---united-kingdom-bit-1983-%7Ctitle=Panama - United Kingdom BIT (1983)|website=UN Trade and Development|access-date=13 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227034140/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/2738/panama---united-kingdom-bit-1983-%7Carchive-date=27 February 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 13 November 1903 3 April 1964<ref name="date" /> |
See Panama–United States relations
The United States cooperates with the Panamanian government in promoting economic, political, security, and social development through U.S. and international agencies. Cultural ties between the two countries are strong, and many Panamanians go to the United States for higher education and advanced training. In 2007, the U.S. and Panama partnered to launch a regional health worker training center. The center provides training to community healthcare workers in Panama and throughout Central America. About 25,000 American citizens reside in Panama, many retirees from the Panama Canal Commission and individuals who hold dual nationality. There is also a rapidly growing enclave of American retirees in the Chiriqui Province in western Panama.
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| Template:Flag | 28 October 1904 | See Panama–Uruguay relations
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| Template:Flag | 1717
Severed Relations in 2024 |
See Panama–Venezuela relations |
See also
References
Further reading
- Ealy, Lawrence O. The Republic of Panama in world affairs, 1903-1950 (U of Pennsylvania Press, 1951). online
- Farnsworth, David N., and James W. McKenney. US-Panama relations, 1903–1978: A study in linkage politics (Routledge, 2020).
- Major, John. "‘Pro mundi beneficio’? The Panama Canal as an international issue, 1943–8." Review of International Studies 9.1 (1983): 17–34.
- Williams Jr, Harold E. Panamanian-US Relations Towards 2000: An Opportunity for Partnership (Naval Postgraduate School, 1995) online.
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