Torrijos reports that efforts are underway
to have Panama to join the CAN as an Associate Member

Lima, May 16, 2008.- Panamanian President Martín Torrijos announced today that advances have been made toward accomplishing his country’s intention of joining the Andean Community as an Associate Member and reported that he has instructed his Foreign Office to organize a meeting with the CAN General Secretariat as soon as possible to take up the matter.    

The announcement was made during the official ceremony held in his honor at the Andean Community (CAN) General Secretariat, where the Andean organization awarded him a distinction and declared him an “Honorary Andean Citizen.” 

Torrijos explained that the Panamanians have always felt like legitimate Andean citizens because they share the same past and the same dreams and are “fighting for a future of social justice, equity and development, with opportunities for our nations.” 

“Rest assured that Panama will continue to work to strengthen relations between our countries and in favor of Latin American integration,” he declared emphatically. 

The Panamanian President went on to add that the enlargement of the Panama Canal is already underway and will give the world the security of having a short-cut between the oceans.  “The new canal will also serve the CAN and its member countries as an ally for moving their goods to better markets.--he stated--  Together, we have to gain our future by carrying out new projects and seeing our dreams materialize.”   

The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Freddy Ehlers, for his part, highlighted the ties between Panama and the Andean countries.  “We are linked --he said-- by trade and a common cultural, social, political and economic heritage.”  

It should be stated that Panama has been participating since 1996 as an observer in meetings of the Andean Council of Presidents.  And in recent years it has expressed its interest in joining the CAN as an Associate Member.   

As a first step toward the accomplishment of this aim, in September 2007, the Andean Community and Panama established a mechanism of mutual interest, for political dialogue and cooperation to promote actions in the political, economic, social and cultural fields.