Singapore joins Panama Canal neutrality agreement
Singapore has officially joined an international agreement to respect the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal. The move follows a state visit by Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and aims to strengthen international law and maritime cooperation.
Why it matters
The Panama Canal is a critical global shipping artery; formalizing neutrality agreements helps ensure stable trade routes amid rising geopolitical tensions.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from right) and his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam (far left), with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino (far right) and his spouse, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, during the state banquet on Oct 5.
Listen SINGAPORE – Singapore will join an international agreement to observe and respect the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
It will also negotiate a bilateral mutual legal assistance agreement with Panama to better tackle transborder crime, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Oct 5 as Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino wrapped up a three-day state visit to Singapore.
President Mulino was in Singapore from Oct 3 to Oct 5 for his first visit to the country as head of state at the invitation of President Tharman. It is the first visit by a Panamanian head of state to Singapore in 10 years.
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