Panama: 2nd Bilateral Consultations with the EU takes place in Brussels

Panama and the European Union (EU) held their second bilateral consultations in Brussels on 27 October 2025.

The meeting took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, allowing both sides to take stock of progress and reinforce the strong EU–Panama partnership.

Discussions covered bilateral relations, cooperation in multilateral fora and regional issues. Both sides highlighted with satisfaction that EU–Panama trade flows have more than doubled over the past decade. The dialogue focused on deepening economic cooperation and on investment opportunities under the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, including transport, sustainable energy, and digital initiatives such as the Copernicus LAC Panama Regional Centre. In that regard, Panama invited the EU to participate in the 2026 Latin American and Caribbean International Economic Forum, (28–29 January 2026, Panama City).

Both parties reaffirmed their shared vision of effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its core. They discussed UN reform, supporting the “UN 80” initiative, and the global security architecture in light of Panama’s current membership of the UN Security Council (2025-2026).

On international affairs, the EU commended Panama’s commitment and ongoing cooperation in delisting vessels linked to the Russian shadow fleet. Both parties underlined their support for Ukraine and their condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression, in line with the established international legal order. They also welcomed the positive developments in the Gaza conflict, including the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the conflict and the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace, as well as the ceasefire, the release of all living hostages, and the partial withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces. Both parties recalled the importance of ensuring immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.

The EU and Panama underscored the importance of continuing to support Haiti, while recognising Panama’s leadership in advancing the latest UN Security Council Resolution and the need for its swift implementation. On climate and environmental cooperation, the EU and Panama reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the triple planetary crisis and to engaging meaningfully in the upcoming COP 30 (Brazil, 10–21 November).

Both sides welcomed the delisting of Panama from the EU AML/CFT list (Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism) in August 2025. The EU acknowledged Panama’s openness, constructive engagement and progress in tackling the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the EU listing of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Both parties noted the technical meetings held in the margins of the consultations between Panama and the European Commission Directorate General on Maritime Affaires and Fisheries (DG MARE) and Directorate General on Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD).

The EU and Panama recognised the strategic importance of the Panama Canal and its neutrality for global trade and international cooperation.

Both parties underscored the importance of managing migration in a comprehensive manner, preventing irregular arrivals, upholding the rights of migrants and refugees, and combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

The EU and Panama reiterated their commitment to jointly fight transnational organised crime, in particular drug trafficking, which harms the security and well-being of both Panamanian and European citizens. Both sides noted the increase in information exchange through the EU–CLASI mechanism and cooperation between law enforcement authorities. They also discussed opportunities to increase collaboration under EL PAcCTO 2.0 to counter criminal networks and strengthen judicial cooperation across the Atlantic.

Both sides emphasized the importance of the forthcoming CELAC–EU Summit (9-10 November) as an opportunity to deepen cooperation between both regions. They also welcomed progress in EU–Central America relations following the first EU–Central America Association Council in July 2025, and reaffirmed the importance of regional integration. Likewise, Panama encouraged EU’s participation in the 56th Ordinary Session of the OAS General Assembly, to be held in June 2026 in Panama, as well as in the various events that will be organized in the framework of the bicentennial commemoration of 1826 Amphictyonic Congress of Panama.

Both parties agreed to continue regular exchanges in Brussels, Panama City and relevant multilateral fora and to hold the third round of Bilateral Consultations in Panama in 2026.