Visit to Japan by Dr. Jose Miguel Aleman, Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Summary and Evaluation)
August 29, 2000
1. Summary
The Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Jose Miguel Aleman, visited Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between August 20 and 25. He was accompanied by a retinue that included Jerry Salazar, Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority. Dr. Aleman discussed a wide range of issues with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono at a ministerial meeting and a dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Kono on August 22. Both events continued well beyond the scheduled time.
On August 23 Dr. Aleman had an audience with Prince and Princess Hitachi. On August 24 he met with Masaharu Hino, Director-General of the Financial Services Agency, for discussions on such issues as the prevention of money laundering. He also signed documents for a cultural grant aid E/N and held talks with various officials, including JICA President Kimio Fujita, JETRO Chairman and CEO Noboru Hatakeyama, and representatives of the Federation of Bankers Associations of Japan and Keidanren.
2. Significance and Evaluation of Visit
(1) Relations with Moscoso Administration
Dr. Aleman is one of the closest ministers to President of Panama Mireya Moscoso. He is also known as a Japanophile, having visited Japan in 1990 as part of an invitational tour for young people from Latin America. His affinity toward Japan was heightened by his recent visit, which enabled him to build a personal relationship with his Japanese counterpart, and to have talks with many Japanese political and business leaders.
The visit was the first by a cabinet member in the Moscoso administration. As such, it heralds the start of a new phase in Japan-Panama relations since the reversion of the Panama Canal to Panamanian ownership. The visit also gave increased impetus to high-level contacts between the two countries. It was decided to arrange a visit to Japan by President Moscoso in fiscal 2001, while Prince and Princess Hitachi were invited to visit Panama.
(2) Emphasis on Relations with Japan Confirmed
Dr. Aleman expressed high hopes for his country's economic relationship with Japan, which is an economic superpower and the second biggest user of the Panama Canal. He said that expectations of investment by Japanese businesses were particularly high. He noted that the Moscoso administration was working to reduce Panama's reliance on the United States and strengthen its links with Asia and Europe now that the canal had reverted to Panamanian ownership. He noted that Panama placed considerable importance on its relationship with Japan, as the gateway to Asia. As evidence of this stance, he indicated that Panama would support Japan's position at the U.N. Millennium Summit.
(3) Confirmation of Reliable Access to the Panama Canal for Japanese Vessels
Dr. Aleman confirmed the Panamanian government's commitment to the establishment of a management structure that would ensure the continuation of safe and efficient navigation through the Panama Canal as a crucial waterway. He also reaffirmed that Panama would continue to show understanding and cooperation with regard to the continuing use of the canal as an important transportation route for radioactive materials.
Back to Index
