PHOTO CUTLINE: With the promise of a counter visit by Minister Voges, Minister Plenipotentiary, Ambassador Teran and Geerlings took a picture in front of the state picture of outgoing Queen Beatrix in order to commemorate the visit. L to R, Ambassador Teran, Minister Voges and Acting Director Geerlings.
Minister Plenipotentiary the Hon. Mathias Voges and the Director of his Cabinet Perry Geerlings welcomed the Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, the Hon. Dr. José M. Teran, last week at the Cabinet in the Hague.
The Ambassador, who just recently was accredited to the Netherlands paid a courtesy visit, and while doing so Minister Voges and Geerlings made use of the opportunity to discuss the status of the existing relationship between St. Maarten and Panama.
Ambassador Teran was explained that St. Maarten has some historical ties with Panama, and that Panama was and still is a very important partner for St. Maarten, more in particular for our business sector.
Much of our imported goods are transshipped through the free zone in Panama. The Ambassador was quite happy to be provided with this information and immediately suggested to look at ways and means in order to intensify this economic relationship. He also would like to explore the possibilities to intensify the (friendship) ties between the two nations on a governmental level.
The Republic of Panama intends to organize an economic trade fair in the Netherlands during the month of May in order to market their country more intensively.
In the light hereof Ambassador Teran invited St. Maarten and its business community to be part of this fair in order to see where both countries can be of benefit for each other in terms of trade in goods and tourism, but also in terms of financial services.
In a very friendly and amicable atmosphere both parties also made use of the opportunity to inform each other about their respective countries history.