Panama content for political, economic gains as Americas summit host

The 7th Summit of the Americas just concluded this weekend here left a positive fruit for Panama in economic and political fields if the consensus achieved will be implemented.

Although the final declaration including eight commitments, with 90 percent of agreement according to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, was not signed yet, the public opinion here gave positive reviews to the summit, where U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro held first face-to-face talks in half a century and both countries agreed to gather again in next continental summit.

Panamanian Tourism Minister Jesus Sierra said some 50,000 visitors came to Panama over last weekend to attend some of the meetings held in the country. He estimated foreign exchange revenues would reach some 80 million U.S. dollars with the Summit. Jaime Campuzano, president of Panama's Chamber of Tourism, cited by local daily La Estrella, said revenues would reach 100 million dollars.

In the past week Panama hosted both the 7th Summit of the Americas as well as many other forums along with the summit.

Newly elected Secretary-General of the Organization of the American States (OAS) Luis Almagro tweeted Varela that the final declaration presented at the end of the summit on "education, citizen security and democracy are key" for the future of the regional organization.

Varela also met with Obama, as well as with his counterparts from Peru, Ollanta Humala, whose country will host the 8th Summit of the Americas in 2018, from Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, and with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.