Embassy of Panama News
Panama President Torrijos Addresses Leaders From the Americas
Advocates That Democracy And Free Trade Lifts People Out Of Poverty, During Council Of The Americas 38th Annual Meeting
Cites Panama As Model Of Democracy That Benefits People And Provides Solutions
WASHINGTON, May 8 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Speaking before government and business leaders from the Americas region, Panamanian President Martin Torrijos Espino emphasized the role of democratic governance, sound social programs and free trade as solutions to combat poverty and provide a better life for people in the region. President Martin Torrijos was the keynote speaker for the 38th annual meeting of the Council of the Americas held at the Loy Henderson Auditorium of the U.S. State Department.
President Torrijos said, "By expanding free trade, the economy grows and with sound social policies the poor can seize the opportunity for a better life."
Additionally, he cited Panama as a model of democratic governance that benefits its people. He highlighted the most important transportation project in the region, the Panama Canal expansion, and how this was overwhelmingly approved by the Panamanian people in a historic referendum. "Each Panamanian today feels committed to the expansion and to the future of the country, because it was his or her decision," said President Torrijos.
The President also shared how, in an unprecedented move, his government has channeled funds from Canal operations into communities that make decisions on how they will spend these funds for their needs: "...we managed to link the additional resources coming from the Canal operations to the people's will. Each community decides freely and openly for what public infrastructure, within their town or village, those resources will be earmarked," added President Torrijos.
Other notable speakers at the annual meeting included U.S. President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Peruvian Minister of Finance Luis Carranza Ugarte, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss Kahn, among others.
This material is distributed by DJE, Inc. on behalf of the Embassy of Panama. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
SOURCE Embassy of Panama
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