Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
PANAMA, May 20 (Xinhua) — Panama remains committed to maintaining the neutrality of the Panama Canal for all vessels from around the world, both in times of peace and in times of conflict, Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos said Tuesday during a UN Security Council debate on maritime security.
“Panama, as the sovereign administrator of the Panama Canal, solemnly declares that the Canal, as a waterway for international transit, shall be permanently neutral, so that in time of peace as in time of war it shall remain safe and open to the peaceful transit of all vessels from all over the world, under conditions of complete equality and without discrimination of any kind,” he said.
C. Hoyos added that more than 8,800 ships, or 15 percent of the international fleet, fly the Panamanian flag, which allows them to reduce costs.
Panama’s Maritime Authority has doubled down on efforts to vet the country’s merchant fleet through a zero-tolerance policy on flag abuse to protect the registry’s reputation, a deputy minister said. -0-