Foreign relations of Panama

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.

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Canada		See Canada–Panama relations Canada has an embassy in Panama City. Panama has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Republic of China		Panama established the diplomatic relationship with Qing Dynasty in 1909. After Xinhai Revolution, Panama recognized the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), and has remained the diplomatic ties with ROC until now. In 2009 after President Ricardo Martinelli took office, Panama wished to switch diplomatic relation from ROC to the People's Republic of China (PRC), but was rejected by the PRC government to maintain the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Martinelli reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan in the diplomatic arena, clearing doubts he could establish official ties with China; also he thanked Taiwanese cooperation and expressed the hope that cooperation and investments intensify. "Panama reaffirms its determination to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan, as well as strengthen trade ties with the People's China," said Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela, at a meeting in the Council Taiwan Affairs Chinese.
India		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. India has an Embassy in Panama City. Panama maintains an Embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.
Kosovo		Panama officially recognised the independence of the Republic of Kosovo on 16 January 2009. 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'.
Mexico	1 March 1904	See Mexico–Panama relations Mexico has an embassy in Panama City. Panama has an embassy in Mexico City and a consulate-general in Veracruz City and a consulate in Guadalajara.
Russia		See Panama–Russia relations Panama has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Panama city.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic		See Panama–Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic relations Panama was the first Latin American country on recognizing the SADR in 1978, during the Omar Torrijos presidency. Panama also has the oldest Sahrawi embassy in Latin America. Relations are suspended from 20 November 2013.
South Korea		See Panama–South Korea relations Foreign relations of the Republic of Korea
Spain	1903	Panama has an embassy in Madrid and consulates-general in A Coruña, Barcelona, Las Palmas and Valencia. Spain has an embassy in Panama City.
United States	1903	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. Panama has an embassy in Washington, DC and consulates-general in Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and Tampa. United States has an embassy in Panama City.

Multilateral relations

Panama is a member of the UN General Assembly (and most major UN agencies) and has served three terms in the UN Security Council. In November 2006 it was elected to serve a two-year term on the Security Council, beginning January 1, 2007. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

Panama is a member of the Organization of American States and was a founding member of the Rio Group. Although it was suspended from the Latin American Economic System — known informally both as the Group of Eight and the Rio Group — in 1988 due to its internal political system under Manuel Noriega, Panama was readmitted in September 1994 as an acknowledgment of its present democratic credentials.

Panama also is one of the founding members of the Union of Banana Exporting Countries and belongs to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Panama is a member of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) as well as the Central American Integration System (SICA). Panama joined its six Central American neighbors at the 1994 Summit of the Americas in signing the Alliance for Sustainable Development known as the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA or CONCAUSA to promote sustainable economic development in the region.

Panama is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Panama
• List of diplomatic missions of Panama