Bill 170.

Summary.

The bill aims to modernize the Diplomatic and Consular Career and promote the professional development of its members. It provides that 80% of Panamanian public servants appointed to the foreign service must belong to the Career, including those appointed as heads of mission. It reserves Career ranks for Career members. For applicants outside the Career who seek a foreign service position, it establishes an Introduction to Foreign Relations Course of at least 120 hours, coordinated by the Diplomatic and Consular Academy (Academia Diplomática y Consular).

The course covers theoretical and practical training in international relations and global politics, international trade and finance, international law, diplomatic practice, Panamanian government and public policy, and any additional subjects introduced by the Diplomatic and Consular Academy. To obtain the certificate, participants would have to pass a final examination with a score of at least 71% in each subject, attend at least 80% of each class, and achieve an overall average of at least 80%. The certificate would remain valid for 10 years. After it expires, a person would have to pass a refresher course of at least 50 hours to continue working in the foreign service. The Diplomatic and Consular Academy would periodically determine its content, and the same passing requirements as those for the introductory course would apply.

The Diplomatic Academy (Academia Diplomática) would annually evaluate the performance and professional achievements of Career officials, both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) and in the foreign service. Those with more than 2 years of service and favorable evaluations could apply for professional development courses paid for by the Ministry, up to 500.00 dollars per year; language courses subject to periodic proficiency assessments; and scholarships for postgraduate studies, master's degrees, or doctorates. The respective programs could last up to 1 year, 2 years, or 4 years. Upon completion, recipients would have to work for the Ministry for twice the length of their program. For master's degrees at foreign universities, the bill also provides accommodation and meals during the period of study. The Ministry would grant scholarship recipients unpaid leave and require guarantees of compliance. Its Directorate General for International Cooperation (Dirección General de Cooperación Internacional) would seek scholarships from diplomatic missions accredited in Panama and foreign universities.

The bill amends Articles 27, 28, 29, and 46 of Law 28 of February 7, 1999. To appoint people outside the Career to the foreign service, it would require Panamanian nationality under the stated conditions, the exercise of civil and political rights, higher education and relevant experience, no convictions of the specified kinds, an induction certificate, a good reputation, and integrity. Heads of mission appointed by the Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would appear before the Foreign Relations Committee (Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores) of the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) to present their mission and work plan. After their appointment is approved, they would have to pass the course before presenting their credentials.

Admission to the Career would be as a third secretary through a public competitive selection process, subject to nationality, background, and university education requirements. With the endorsement of the Qualifying Commission (Comisión Calificadora), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could exceptionally admit professionals from other disciplines connected with the international agenda. Staff would serve at the Ministry or at missions abroad under an annual rotation plan. Service at Ministry headquarters or another state agency could not exceed 3 years, nor could service at a mission abroad exceed 10 years. After the latter, staff would have to serve at the Ministry for a period equal to half the length of their most recent foreign assignment before another posting abroad. The text provides that it would take effect on the day after its promulgation. Its provisions concern the representation of the Republic of Panama and may be of interest to foreign service personnel, universities, and sectors involved in international relations, international trade, and finance.