Panama halts talks on free trade agreement with Colombia over sensitive issues

Panama suspends negotiations over a free trade agreement with Colombia, due to a failure to reach agreement over agricultural issues, market access and customs cooperation, Reuters reports.

 

The unexpected announcement came three days after the Colombian and Panamanian delegation met in Panama to begin the fifth round of negotiations.

 

Alvarez explained that the negotiations have reached a stage where sensitive issues need to be discussed which could be "offensive" to both parties and therefore the solution "is to invest more time" in such a process.

 

Original source: Colombia Reports