Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino addressed this Thursday, November 27, the trip of several Panamanian deputies to the Republic of (Taiwan) and made it clear that they are not competent to handle foreign policy issues or to issue official country positions during international tours.
Mulino specified that the deputies can participate in protocolary activities, institutional visits, and exchange meetings, but he emphasized that all of Panama's state foreign policy falls exclusively on the Executive Branch through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
«Their expressions do not represent an official position of the country,» he affirmed, while stressing that international relations require a single institutional voice.
The head of state downplayed statements that arose during the tour and reiterated that Panama maintains a serious and coherent foreign policy leadership, aligned with the formal commitments the country has assumed.
At the beginning of the week, a delegation of nine Panamanian deputies traveled to Taiwan for a several-day visit.
The tour, organized by island authorities and entities, included parliamentarians from different benches and was carried out without the Executive's approval, although supported by the Legislative's autonomy.
