Panama and Its Foreign Relations For Economic Development and Sustainability

Panama and its foreign relations concern itself withsustainability. Since January 1, 2007, Panama served in
two major issues for Panama's development-thethe UN Security Council of the UN General Assembly
Panama Canal and international trade and shipping.as one who has been elected on the seat. It is also an
Since Panama is located at the isthmus of Centralactive member of the international financial institution
America, it has good reason to be involved in mostsuch as Inter- America Development Bank, World
foreign counterparts. The number one foreign concernBank and International Monetary Bank. Moreover, it is
of Panama is focused on the Panama Canal. Thealso a member of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
history of the Canal, which the United States hadCommission. Aside from the tuna industry, Panama
influence over, and its current function has greatand its foreign relations has something to do with
impact on Panama's economic and political policy. Theorganizations for exporting. Panama is also involved in
major concern of Panama is to take over itsthe Union of Banana Exporting Countries in which it is
sovereignty of the Canal which has various historicalone of the founding members.
treaties. As Panama wants to gain sovereignty overPanama and its foreign relations have contributed to its
the Canal, which is the major source of its trade anddevelopment not only in the development of certain
economy, it sought support from other nations toindustries but also in general development of the
renegotiate treaties. At the same time it understandscountry as part of America. It is a member of the
its limit against the United States who has influenceCentral American Parliament or popularly known as
over the building of the canal.PARLACEN, and the Central America Integrations
Secondary to the concern with the Canal, PanamaSystem or SICA. To further promote economic
focused on foreign policy with regards to internationaldevelopment of the country, Panama and its foreign
trade, banking, and shipping. Because most internationalrelations in America established the Alliance for
ships passing through Central America cross over theSustainable Development together with other six of its
Panama Canal, Panama gains economic advantagesneighbors in Central America. The objective of
over this activity. Banking and commerce are also onePanama and its foreign relations and this alliance
of the major economic activities of Panama and itsknown as Conjunta Centroamerica-USA
foreign relations. Because of the influence of foreign(CONCAUSA) is for purposes of providing domestic
relations to its economic activities, Panama's policy hasand foreign policies that support promotion on
concerns on these economic influences.sustainable development for economy of the
Aside from the concerns on the Panama Canal andparticipating countries. Finally, Panama and its foreign
the international economic influence, Panama and itsrelations are also involved in the International Criminal
foreign relations is so much involved in foreignCourt in which Panama is a member as well. The said
memberships by its participation in foreign organizationsforeign organization is a Bilateral Immunity Agreement
that greatly contribute its economic development andof its members for the protection of the US military.