[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[September 17, 2008]
[Page 1208]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting With President Martin Torrijos 
Espino of Panama
September 17, 2008

    President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for coming. It's--
bienvenidos.
    President Torrijos. Yes.
    President Bush. Yes. President Torrijos has been a good personal 
friend, and he has been a good friend to freedom, prosperity, and 
democracy. I've been very impressed by your leadership.
    The Panamanian economy is strong. They are implementing now a very 
strategic decision, which is the--building a parallel canal in Panama. I 
remember when you first explained it to me there, when I went to visit 
you, I was most impressed. And then you're here now briefing me that the 
plans are not only in place, but the operations are beginning soon. And 
I congratulate you for that.
    We've talked about bilateral issues. One key issue, of course, is 
the free trade agreement between the United States and Panama. Congress 
needs to get it done. This is important for our--both our nations, it's 
important for our economies, and it's important for our friendship. And 
I appreciate you coming to talk to Members of Congress. I think it is 
most useful.
    And so it's a joy to be with you again, and I'm proud to have you 
here. And I pledge to you that I will continue to work hard on this 
important agreement, and I will. Welcome.
    President Torrijos. Thank you, sir. Thank you. It's always a 
pleasure talking to you and looking at our bilateral relations. They 
have grown stronger. There's a lot of issues of cooperation in the 
agenda, cooperation that will make a difference to common people in 
Panama: health programs, the regional center that's been established in 
Panama, educational programs that we're talking, and of course, our 
commitment to free trade and, as you said, the commitment that we hope 
we'll be ready to help in any way to--in the process.
    And I just want to thank you for being a friend of the country, 
being aware of our problem, and reaching out to help the Panamanian 
people. So thank you, sir.
    President Bush. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 1:54 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.