The announcement came as Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino completed a three-day state visit to Singapore from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 at the invitation of President Tharman.
Singapore Adopts Canal Neutrality Protocol Amid Global Trade Shifts
Forty-one countries have acceded to the protocol since it opened for accession in 1979, joining the framework alongside Singapore’s newly declared commitment. Other signatories include Russia, Switzerland, Britain, the Philippines and Vietnam.
President Tharman noted that small states must work together to strengthen institutions that uphold international law amid ongoing trade disruptions. Both Singapore and Panama sit at the strategic crossroads of global trade as critical junctions on the maritime highway between Asia and the Americas, according to The Straits Times. The 82km-long waterway has recently been subject to strategic competition between China and the US as they compete for influence over key ports.
President Tharman added that both nations share a deep interest in international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He stated that Singapore's decision shows a commitment to maritime security and freedom of movement through the waterway.
Bilateral Trade and Legal Talks Begin
Panama stood as Singapore’s third-largest trading partner in goods in Latin America in 2025. Bilateral trade in goods reached $6.2 billion, including Panamanian exports of whisky, coffee and textiles. To support this economic relationship, both governments agreed to begin negotiations on a bilateral mutual legal assistance treaty.
During the visit, President Mulino met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss trade, investment, and regional developments. Concurrently, Singapore-based airport ground services provider SATS signed an agreement on Oct. 5 with Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport to bolster air cargo connectivity.
President Tharman also suggested that Singapore can act as a gateway for Panamanian firms seeking access to Southeast Asia. A new orchid hybrid will be named in honor of President Mulino and the First Lady.
Panamanian Delegation Expands Regional Outreach in Southeast Asia
President Mulino traveled to Singapore accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez and Minister for Canal Affairs Jose Ramon Icaza. According to Vietnam News Agency reports, President Mulino and his delegation arrived in Hanoi on Oct. 5 for a four-day official visit to Vietnam, marking the first high-level exchange between Panama and Vietnam in nearly 15 years. This follows a 2012 visit by then-President Ricardo Martinelli.
Panamanian Ambassador to Vietnam Nubiela Ayala Modes stated in a Vietnam News Agency interview that the trip demonstrates Panama’s push to position itself as a strategic platform connecting global trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Answers to Diplomatic and Treaty Questions
When was diplomatic relations established between Singapore and Panama?
Singapore and Panama established diplomatic relations 44 years ago in 1982, as reported by The Straits Times.
How many countries have acceded to the Panama Canal neutrality protocol?
Forty-one states, including France, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam, had acceded to the protocol before Singapore’s recent decision to join the treaty.
Who accompanied Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino to Singapore?
President Mulino’s delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez, Minister for Canal Affairs Jose Ramon Icaza, and other senior officials.
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