This week, Francisco Alvarez de Soto in charge of Panama’s Foreign Ministry, welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Enrique Castillo, to discuss trade issues, security, border and regional integration.
The officials also discussed issues related to the Association Agreement signed Panama-Costa Rica in 2009, said a statement from the Panamanian Foreign Ministry.
This agreement signed in 2009 by the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, and then Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, re-launched bilateral ties and trade and also was a boost to the Central American integration process.
Castillo and De Soto, also chaired a meeting with their respective delegations to address issues such as protests of traders on the Costa Rica Panama border and activating bilateral mechanisms of concern on the matter of safety.
Last week traders on the side of the Costa Rican border protested that they were affected by carriers charges in Panama that blocked access because of security measures taken by the Panamanian police.
The delegations of Panama and Costa Rica also agreed to continue technical work to formalize the the Boundary Agreement Echandi Montero-Fernández Jaén.
The discussions will be concluding in September, the Tenth Meeting of the Permanent Joint Boundary Commission Panama-Costa Rica, the report said.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister also met Monday with Panamanian Minister, Roberto Henriquez, who spoke “on topics of interest,” according to official information.
EFE
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
