Deputy Foreign Minister Simon Ko says that Taiwan-Panama relations remain stable. He was responding to concerns that Panama might sever its relations with Taiwan and recognize China instead.
Rumors of an impending break in relations first surfaced in a Taiwanese magazine article. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Chiu Chih-wei also expressed concern about the state of Taiwan’s relationship with Panama during a press conference on Friday. He noted that Taiwan’s ambassador to Panama has still not been able to meet with Panama’s new president, Juan Carlos Varela, three months after he took office.
Speaking on Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Ko said that Panama’s first lady plans to attend National Day celebrations on October 10. Ko also said that Panama was prompt in dispatching a new ambassador to Taiwan after Varela took office. He said that the government plans to formally accept a copy of the new ambassador’s credentials in the near future.
Ko said that these developments show that Taiwan-Panama relations are stable. He also said that bilateral relations will continue to develop as Taiwan and Panama prepare to discuss plans for cooperation over the next five years.