Tomorrow, Thurs Oct 13 - Panama FTA Discussion with Samuel Lewis, former 1st Vice President of Panama

In light of current congressional consideration of the free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea, NDN’s Latin American Policy Initiative (LAPI) is delighted to be able to host a discussion on Thursday, October 13th with the Honorable Samuel Lewis, former Foreign Minister and first Vice President of Panama. A member of LAPI’s Board of Advisors, Samuel Lewis represented Panama during the pact’s final negotiations and served as a powerful champion for the agreement ever since. Speaking at NDN’s headquarters in Washington, he will offer his unique perspective on the agreement’s multi-year negotiation and implementation process and discuss what its approval will mean for Panama, the United States, and inter-American trade more broadly. 

Our discussion with Samuel Lewis, moderated by LAPI Chair Nelson Cunningham, will take place tomorrow from 4:00 – 5:00 pm at NDN’s offices and event space, 729 15th Street, NW, 1st Floor, Washington, DC.   The event is open to the press and to the public at large.

To RSVP click here, and we hope to see you tomorrow.

Please find a biography for Mr. Lewis below:

Samuel Lewis Navarro was the First Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama. He served in these posts from 1 September 2004 to 1 July 2009 during the administration of President Martín Torrijos. Lewis was elected First Vice President of the Republic of Panama for the period 2004-2009 by popular vote on May 2, 2004. He took oath on September 1 together with President Martín Torrijos and Second Vice President Rubén Arosemena. On the same day, Lewis also became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was elected to the first Vice Presidency of the Republic on the ballot propositions of "Patria Nueva". He studied business administration at prestigious academic institutions in the United States , earning a BA from Georgetown University in 1979 and an MBA from American University in 1981, both in Washington , D.C.