Above: the talks in Panama City (Photo: OP Panama)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Panama President Ricardo Martinelli received French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Friday for discussions in Panama City.

The two sides discussed ways to “strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries,” according to a government statement.

“We are pleased that France invests and maintains the interest in investing in Panama, and in participating in important projects such as the construction of the Panama Metro, whose trains are being manufactured by French company Alstom,” Martinelli said.

Fabius reportedly extended an invitation for Martinelli to make an official visit to France for meetings with President Francois Hollande.

Fabius said Panama was one of his country’s main economic partners in Central America, as an “important logistics platform” for French companies.

Martinelli was joined at the talks by Minister for the Presidency Roberto Henriquez, Foreign Minister Francisco Alvarez de Soto, Foreign Policy Director Juan Carlos Espinosa and Panama’s Ambassador to France, Henry Farup.