Panama’s Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Carlos Guevara Mann, began an official visit to Turkey on Thursday. His mission aims to strengthen bilateral ties and advance cooperation in technology, culture, and trade between the two nations.
The visit commenced with a diplomatic gesture at the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey’s founder. Guevara Mann placed a wreath on behalf of President José Raúl Mulino, honoring Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The deputy minister then toured the adjacent museum dedicated to the Turkish War of Independence.
Strategic Dialogue and Economic Partnerships
High-level talks formed the core of the visit. Deputy Minister Guevara Mann met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Z. Levent Gümrükçü to discuss mutual interests. Both officials highlighted the unique strategic positions their countries hold in global commerce.
They specifically noted Panama’s role through its interoceanic canal and Turkey’s position as a transcontinental bridge. Guevara Mann emphasized the enduring relevance of the Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty to worldwide maritime trade. This framework ensures secure and open passage, a cornerstone of the global economy.
“Our dialogue reaffirmed the shared vision Panama and Turkey have for facilitating international trade and development,” Guevara Mann stated. [Translated from Spanish]
In a significant move for technological exchange, the deputy minister met with Orhan Aydin. Aydin leads Turkey’s Scientific and Technological Research Council. Their conversation finalized plans for an upcoming cooperation agreement.
This pact will foster joint research programs in several cutting-edge fields. Priority areas include cybersecurity, meteorology, semiconductor development, big data analytics, and public health initiatives. Such collaboration could provide a model for Panama’s own technological research council.
Cultural Ties and Heritage Projects
The official agenda also focused on deepening cultural connections. A meeting with Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam reviewed ongoing collaborative agreements. They explored ways to enhance the cultural bridge already developing between the countries.
Guevara Mann formally thanked Turkey for its support on several heritage conservation projects. This assistance has been channeled through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). One notable project involves the restoration of Panama’s historic Fort San Lorenzo.
“We value TIKA’s partnership and invited them to consider collaboration on the development of the El Caño archaeological park,” Guevara Mann said. [Translated from Spanish]
This invitation signals Panama’s desire to expand partnership into new areas of historical preservation and tourism development. It aligns with broader efforts to leverage cultural heritage for sustainable growth.
The deputy minister was accompanied by Panama’s Ambassador to Turkey, Karina Arias, and Economic Counselor Mario Julio. Their presence ensured discussions covered both diplomatic and economic dimensions of the relationship.
For Deputy Minister guevara mann, this visit continues a pattern of active multilateral engagement. The talks in Ankara appear to have laid concrete groundwork for future collaboration. Several agreements, particularly in technology and research, are now poised for formal signing.
Panama and Turkey, though geographically distant, continue to find common ground as strategic commercial hubs. This latest diplomatic mission successfully translated that shared geographic reality into actionable plans for cooperation. The focus now shifts to implementing the agreements discussed and realizing the potential of this transcontinental partnership.