Above: Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli in his office (Photo: OP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Panama “is ready” to join the Pacific Alliance, the Latin American trade bloc formed in April 2011, according to President Ricardo Martinelli.

The alliance currently includes Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. Panama is currently an observer.

Martinelli said is asking the country’s Parliament to sign the pending trade agreements that would make Panama a full member of the bloc.

The President was speaking from his office in Panama City at a virtual Presidential Summit of the Pacific Alliance, which was attended by Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla also participated in the summit, with that country accepted as an observer.

Martinelli said this “wing of the Pacific” would be another alternative to exchange goods, products and services to better the quality of life in the country’s population.