Panama, Costa Rica to boost ties

PANAMA: Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and his Costa Rican counterpart Oscar Arias on Thursday signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to boost ties.

The two leaders pledged to deepen and expand political and social dialogue on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, the commercial ties, and cultural exchanges to achieve integration between the two countries. Martinelli said the partnership will bring great benefits to both countries and their peoples. Arias said Costa Rica and Panama are united with this agreement because they share the values of democracy, freedom and political pluralism.

"This agreement will expand our cooperation from economy to other areas where there are long ways to go and we are going to do it," Arias said after signing the document.

According to Arias, the ties between the two countries have been transparent and fraternal, because they are based on mutual trust and the pursuit of common welfare for both countries. PANAMA CITY, Friday, Xinhua