Norway Interested in Investing in Panama

A Norwegian official expressed his country's interest in investing in national projects, including those of the Panama Canal Authority. President José Raúl Mulino took advantage of his visit to Oslo, Norway, to dialogue with his Paraguayan counterpart, Santiago Peña, about Panama's progress in its accession to the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), expressing his interest in the country becoming a permanent member. Peña, in turn, reiterated that Panama will provide a significant logistical advantage to the bloc, facilitating its access to other markets. It was agreed that Norway will also participate in the bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress and the next Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), which will also be held in Panama. In parallel, Minister Javier Martínez-Acha met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to extend an invitation to the CAF Latin America and the Caribbean International Economic Forum, which will take place next January in the country. However, she was represented by her daughter, María Corina Sosa, who stated that new networks of civic pressure and disciplined disobedience are being built to ensure a orderly transition to democracy. Both leaders, during their meeting, also discussed the need to redouble efforts in terms of security and the fight against organized crime. Panamanian authorities received a distinction from King Harald V for their support for the Venezuelan freedom struggle movements. The official ceremony for the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize was held yesterday, Wednesday, with its main figure absent; opposition leader María Corina Machado did not arrive in time to receive the distinction due to her flight being slightly delayed for security reasons.