Latest news with #JavierMartínezAcha
Zawya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Panama Considers Autonomy Initiative as 'Most Serious, Credible and Realistic basis' & 'Only Solution for Future' to Resolve Regional Dispute over Moroccan Sahara
The Republic of Panama considers the autonomy initiative as 'the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving the regional dispute' over the Moroccan Sahara. This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué signed, on Monday in Rabat, following talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom on June 16. The Panamanian minister also stated during a press briefing following the meeting that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 "should be the only solution for the future," emphasizing his country's clear support for the autonomy plan as a means to advance toward a lasting resolution of the dispute. Panama's support for the autonomy initiative proposed by the Kingdom to resolve the Moroccan Sahara dispute comes after its decision to sever all ties with the so-called 'sadr' in November 2024. In the same Joint Communiqué, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama reaffirmed their commitment to the sanctity of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Morocco: Panama Commends Royal Initiatives Launched by His Majesty the King
Panama hailed the momentum of openness and modernization underway in Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, and expressed its appreciation for Morocco's pioneering role in Africa, making the Kingdom a credible and valued partner on the international stage. In this respect, Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, commended, in a Joint Communiqué signed on Monday in Rabat following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, HM King Mohammed VI's regional and international leadership, mainly Morocco's role in Africa. In this respect, he underlined key projects such as the Royal Initiative aiming to promote stability, security and economic prosperity in Atlantic riparian African countries, the Initiative aiming to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline megaproject, which represent the Kingdom of Morocco's pioneering commitment to South-South cooperation. The head of Panamanian diplomacy also praised the role of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of HM the King, as a pioneering player in counter-terrorism, fighting organized crime and preserving peace and security in Africa. The two ministers also explored the prospects for collaboration in the various Atlantic cooperation initiatives. They also expressed their aspiration to make this area a geostrategic framework for concerted action to promote development and guarantee security, solidarity and understanding between South-South and South-North peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
The Independent
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government
Thousands of Panamanians marched in the capital Tuesday in the largest protest yet against an agreement signed during last month's visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving U.S. troops access to strategic air and naval facilities in the Central American nation. U.S. President Donald Trump thrust Panama into the spotlight even before winning election last November by suggesting that his country should consider retaking control of the Panama Canal and accusing Panama of ceding influence to China. Panama has vehemently rejected those comments but also tried to pacify the new administration, which has slapped tariffs on many trade partners. University students led Tuesday's protest accusing President José Raúl Mulino of sacrificing Panama's sovereignty with the deal. 'We feel like our president is acting against the wishes of many Panamanians and in very sensitive affairs,' 30-year-old student Tony Ruiz said. 'He signs an agreement behind our back that compromises our sovereignty, our neutrality with the world. The previous night Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Martínez-Acha said of the agreement with Washington: 'The memorandum of understanding does not imply a surrender of sovereignty, nor does it violate the national constitution, nor the neutrality treaty.' Bases where the U.S. will get access for military personnel and contractors will always remain under the control of Panama and it can terminate the agreement with six months notice, he said. Martínez-Acha said the U.S. government acted in bad faith in how it handled the sensitive issue in the media, an apparent reference to Trump's inflammatory comments on the canal, but nonetheless Panama was being 'prudent' and trying to avoid sanctions that have befallen other countries. 'International cooperation is necessary to strengthen our capabilities,' he said. 'Collaborating with the United States in this case helps us improve security without affecting our sovereignty or our laws.' The details of the deal only became public days after Hegseth's visit. In a separate agreement, Panama also agreed to look for a way for the U.S. government to be reimbursed for fees its naval ships pay to transit the Canal. The Trump administration has argued that it should not be obligated to defend the canal and pay to use it. The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Control of the waterway transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The Trump administration has also pressured for the Hong Kong-based operator of ports at either end of the canalto sell those interests to a U.S. consortium that includes BlackRock Inc. While Martínez-Acha suggested that politically motivated opponents are stirring controversy, the student protesters expressed concern about a U.S. return to a country it invaded as recently as 1989. 'We are a neutral country; we cannot take sides with any country,' said Jam Allard, another student. 'We want our country to be sovereign.'
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] PANAMA CITY (AP) — Thousands of Panamanians marched in the capital Tuesday in the largest protest yet against an agreement signed during last month's visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving U.S. troops access to strategic air and naval facilities in the Central American nation. U.S. President Donald Trump thrust Panama into the spotlight even before winning election last November by suggesting that his country should consider retaking control of the Panama Canal and accusing Panama of ceding influence to China . Panama has vehemently rejected those comments but also tried to pacify the new administration, which has slapped tariffs on many trade partners. University students led Tuesday's protest accusing President José Raúl Mulino of sacrificing Panama's sovereignty with the deal. 'We feel like our president is acting against the wishes of many Panamanians and in very sensitive affairs,' 30-year-old student Tony Ruiz said. 'He signs an agreement behind our back that compromises our sovereignty, our neutrality with the world. The previous night Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Martínez-Acha said of the agreement with Washington: 'The memorandum of understanding does not imply a surrender of sovereignty, nor does it violate the national constitution, nor the neutrality treaty.' Bases where the U.S. will get access for military personnel and contractors will always remain under the control of Panama and it can terminate the agreement with six months notice, he said. Martínez-Acha said the U.S. government acted in bad faith in how it handled the sensitive issue in the media, an apparent reference to Trump's inflammatory comments on the canal, but nonetheless Panama was being 'prudent' and trying to avoid sanctions that have befallen other countries. 'International cooperation is necessary to strengthen our capabilities,' he said. 'Collaborating with the United States in this case helps us improve security without affecting our sovereignty or our laws.' The details of the deal only became public days after Hegseth's visit. In a separate agreement, Panama also agreed to look for a way for the U.S. government to be reimbursed for fees its naval ships pay to transit the Canal. The Trump administration has argued that it should not be obligated to defend the canal and pay to use it. The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Control of the waterway transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The Trump administration has also pressured for the Hong Kong-based operator of ports at either end of the canalto sell those interests to a U.S. consortium that includes BlackRock Inc. While Martínez-Acha suggested that politically motivated opponents are stirring controversy, the student protesters expressed concern about a U.S. return to a country it invaded as recently as 1989. 'We are a neutral country; we cannot take sides with any country,' said Jam Allard, another student. 'We want our country to be sovereign.'
