Panama's Ambassador: Egypt, Panama Share History since 1952

By: Maydaa Abo El-Nadar

CAIRO, Dec. 14 (SEE) – Panama Ambassador to Egypt Alejandro Ivan Mendoza Gantes took the opportunity while celebrating the anniversary of Panama's independence to speak about cooperation between Panama and Egypt in several fields.

Worth noting is that Panama gained its independence from Spain in 1821, 28 November.

Here are some excerpts from an interview with the ambassador.

Panama's Ambassador to Egypt Alejandro Ivan Mendoza Gantes with Ahmed El-Gendy, Consular & Martime Director at Panama's Embassy in Egypt

• Does the large geographical distance between Panama and Egypt has impact on the relationship between the two states?

Despite that geographical distance between Egypt and Panama being far, both countries share history since 1952 Egyptian revolution. Egyptian revolution that dates to 23 July 1952 not only allowed the birth of a republic, but it imposed Egypt's control on the Suez Canal. When Panama recovered its sovereignty over its soil, it did the same with Panama Canal.

• From an international point of view, what is the importance of both canals?

Because of Panama Canal's location, Panama is a gateway between North America and its South, between Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.

On the other side, Suez Canal is a gateway to Africa and Asia. It links between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Long time ago, our country made strong strategic alliances in the maritime and ports' field. Thanks to these alliances, expansions in both canals were achieved to increase their effectiveness and their competitiveness.

Egypt and Panama, through both canals, share the responsibility of protecting the international trade and navigation movement, a fact that supports economy in both regions.

• So what about maritime cooperation between Egypt and Panama?

Panama, internationally, has the highest number of registered ships. Last year we celebrated the 100 anniversary of establishing the Panamanian marine registry.

Our country maintained close relations with the Egyptian navigation companies through offering trusted and quick services. Cooperation between Panama and Egyptian companies then became a prestigious model of cooperation between a Panama governmental authority and private sector in Egypt.

• So what about maritime cooperation between Egypt and Panama?

Panama, internationally, has the highest number of registered ships. Last year we celebrated the 100 anniversary of establishing the Panamanian marine registry.

Our country maintained close relations with the Egyptian navigation companies through offering trusted and quick services. Cooperation between Panama and Egyptian companies then became a prestigious model of cooperation between a Panama governmental authority and private sector in Egypt.

• Could you give a brief account about bilateral diplomatic relations?

Both countries excellently developed bilateral diplomatic relations since 1958. Throughout these 60 years, cooperation has been so active, especially in the following fields: agriculture, technology, logistics, and ports.

• How are both countries cooperating to develop their academic path?

I would like to utilize this opportunity to thank the Egyptian government as the Egyptian International Center for Agriculture still offers scholarships. At the center, Panama students are being trained via modern technology. Training include course for land and water administration, animal production, and veterinary medicine.

Panama is working on exchanging experiences through its program "Panama Cooperates" and through scholarships offered, on university level, to various countries including Egypt.

To strengthen academic exchange, we visited the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transportation in Alexandria that showed its interest in cooperating with the International Maritime University of Panama.

• What are the bilateral cultural activities that took place?

Cultural diplomacy is one of the methods that strengthen friendship and cooperation. Amongst Panama's cultural activities in Egypt: Panama's Embassy in Egypt supported the participation of Panama musicians in the Cairo Jazz Festival. At cinema festivals in Egypt, Panama participated with some of its movies. It also celebrated an event in Cairo to exhibit its traditional folk art.

• What about cooperation in other fields?

In recent years, high-level political meetings took place. Both countries agreed to cooperate in the field of security. They also agreed to move forward commerce and tourism between Egypt and Panama.

• Could you speak about Panama's diplomatic representations in the Middle East and Africa?

The lines of Panama foreign policy are various. In this regard, we launched the Falcon Program's, a strategy that seeks supporting our relation with different countries and entities worldwide including Egypt, African Union to be presided by Egypt in 2019, the Arab League whose headquarter is located in Cairo.

Panama is working on strengthening its relations with the Arab and African countries, to share our developed experiences in the following fields: maritime; airspace, logistics, maritime and financial services, investments, and tourism.

Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela, along with Foreign Ministry's officials paid official visits to open embassies, representing Panama, in several countries including: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan.

In addition to our embassies that already exist in Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, Panama is going to establish an Embassy in Ethiopia and a diplomatic representation office in Palestine.