Summary.
Article 1 proposes to approve in full the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) and the Republic of Guatemala (República de Guatemala), concluded in Guatemala City (Ciudad de Guatemala) on the eighteenth (18th) day of December, two thousand twenty-four (2024). The agreement establishes a permanent framework for cooperation activities of mutual interest between the two countries. Its stated purposes include strengthening their cooperative relations and promoting economic and social development.
Activities would be carried out through Supplementary Agreements concluded for each initiative that the Parties decide to plan and undertake. The agreement lists, as indicative fields, education; culture and heritage; social development and poverty reduction; energy; the environment and natural resources; fisheries; agriculture, livestock and agroindustry; transportation; sports; science and technology; health; tourism; and housing and urban planning. The Parties could also extend cooperation to other fields they recognize as being of common interest. Each Supplementary Agreement in those areas must include specific programs identifying their scope and justification, objectives, financial and technical resources, work schedules, and measures envisaged to achieve the objectives.
To coordinate and monitor the agreement, it establishes a Joint Commission composed of delegates from both countries. The commission would meet at least every two years, alternating between Panama and Guatemala, either in person or virtually. Its functions are to assess and define priority areas for specific projects; analyze, evaluate, approve and review Cooperation Programs; oversee the operation of the agreement; and submit recommendations to the Parties. Either Party may also submit specific projects to the other at any time for examination and approval. By mutual agreement, they may convene extraordinary meetings of the Joint Commission whenever they consider them necessary.
The agreement may be amended by mutual consent, with amendments subject to the same entry-into-force rule as the agreement. Disputes concerning its implementation or interpretation would be settled through negotiation via diplomatic channels. The agreement would enter into force on the date of the last communication by which the Parties notify each other that their constitutional and legal requirements have been met. It is concluded for an indefinite period, although either Party may denounce it by written notification through diplomatic channels. Denunciation would take effect six (6) months after notification. Programs and projects already begun would continue until fully completed unless the Parties agree on partial implementation. Article 2 provides that the proposed law would take effect upon promulgation.
The public entities concerned are the states of the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Guatemala and the delegates who would serve on the Joint Commission. The agreement could concern the education, culture, energy, environment, fisheries, agriculture, agroindustry, transportation, sports, science, technology, health, tourism, housing and social development sectors.
What it proposes.
- Approval of a bilateral cooperation agreement.
- Planning of activities through Supplementary Agreements.
- Coordination, monitoring, amendment and termination of the agreement.
Who it would affect.
- Republic of Panama
- Republic of Guatemala
- Delegates of both countries on the Joint Commission
- Participants in cooperation programs and projects
Key points.
- Approves the bilateral agreement in full and establishes a permanent framework for cooperation activities of mutual interest.Art. 1
- Provides for Supplementary Agreements covering planned activities and permits cooperation in other fields of common interest.Art. 1
- Requires specific programs to define their scope, justification, objectives, resources, schedules and implementation measures.Art. 1
- Establishes a Joint Commission that would meet at least every two years to coordinate, review and oversee cooperation.Art. 1
- Allows specific projects to be submitted at any time and extraordinary meetings to be convened by agreement of the Parties.Art. 1
- Makes amendments subject to mutual consent and disputes subject to negotiation through diplomatic channels.Art. 1
- Sets the agreement’s entry into force after the last notification of compliance with applicable requirements and governs denunciation and ongoing projects.Art. 1
- Provides that the proposed law would take effect upon promulgation.Art. 2