Absence of agreement on the work for the Panama Canal. VP Tajani: unexpected news

The Vice President of the European Commission was appointed as mediator by European companies involved: “I trust the parties will reconsider their positions.”

There is no agreement between the companies and public authorities on the work related to the expansion of the Panama Canal. The announcement comes from the European Commission Vice President, Antonio Tajani, who have been asked to intervene as mediator. The works risk to be stopped once more.

“I have heard the news from Panama on the absence of agreement between the parties on the work related to the expansion of the Panama Canal,” said Vice President Tajani in an official statement. “The news is unexpected, as yesterday morning the President of the Republic, Mr Martinelli, made a positive public statement indicating that the parties were very close to an agreement.”

“I have been following this issue closely,” added Vice President Tajani, “since I was asked to intervene by the three European companies involved. I organised a meeting on 23 January and I have been in contact with the authorities since then.”

“Last night I spoke with the Minister responsible for the Canal, Roberto Roy,” wrote Tajani. “The political relation between the Commission and the Government of Panama has therefore been correct. Yet, it is up to the parties to come to an agreement within the legal framework.”

Vice President Tajani closed his statement saying that he trusts and hopes “that the parties reconsider their positions in the coming days, as the interruption of the work would be bad news for employment, for the worldwide economy, for the expansion of the Canal and for the parties themselves.”