[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 37 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Pages 1218-1219]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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,

[[Page 1219]]

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.