ournational independence andoureconomy. Wearevigilant toensurethatthose Canalpactsareadequately implemented, toresolve throughbilateral negotiationsIBHS/ed A/40/PV.10 17 (President ArditoBatletta) anypending problems ofinterpretation ofthetreaties andtobringaboutthework ofwidening thecanalintheCorteCulebra, whichisnecessary inordertomaintain theefficient operation ofthepresent canalinaccordance with ~~eneedsof international navigation. Atthesametime,wearepreparing tomeetthelong-term future. Tothatend,withinthesymbolic framework oftheUnitedNations Headquarters, afewminutes agomycountry signedwiththeUnitedStatesofAmerica andJapanarrangements toundertake stUdies onalternatives tothePanamaCanalso thatthepeopleofPanamamaybeaswellinformed aspossible whenthetimecomes todecide, insovereignty, itsoptions tocontinue toofferonalong-term basisan efficient andsafeservice forintetnational tradeandtransport. Panamaisonitswaytobecoming amajorinter-American centreof international ttade,asenvisaged bythegreatliberator SimonBolivat, always faithful toouthistoty andLatinAmerican heritage. Weareatacrossroads: tooffetourpeoples answers tofindthepathto peaceandptogtess Ottoprepate outselves tofaceviolence whichwouldgobeyond OUtregionandalsoaffectthetichetandmoredeveloped cQun~ies= Wecannotgo backtothepathofinflation andtothedraining ofthescatceresources ofour countries forthebenefitoftherichnations. Wecannotremaininstagnation, whichbringsaboutdisenchantment andfrustration. Wehavethetechnology andthe know-how; wehaveleaders capable ofseeingthingswithinatruehistorical perspective; wehavepeoples whodesirepeace,freedom andprogress. Itisnowour roletooffe~,withoptimism, creativi~ andperseverance, theindividual and collective leadership whichhistory hasplaceduponusall. Onthisnewanniversary oftheUnitedNations, letusrenewtheoriginal commitment ofmankind towinthewaragainst hunger, poverty, disease, racismand inequali~, forthatisthetruepathtopeaceandthedestiny Godoffered manwhen Heendowed himwithfreedom andwithcreative force.BSS/eel A/40/rN.10 18-20 ThePRBSIDBNT (interpretation frOIlSpanish): OnbehalfoftheGeneral Assellbly, I"ishtothankthePresident oftheRepublic ofPana_fortheimportant statellent hehasjustude. Mr.Nicolaa ArditoBarletta, President oftheRepublic ofPanama, wasescorted fraatheGeneral ABsellbly Ball.Bel/at GENERAL DEBATEA/40/PV.10 21 AGENDA ITEM9(eontinued) Hr.GENSCHER (Federal Republic ofGermany) (spokeinGerman; English text furnished bythedelegation): Letmeofferyoum¥congratulations, Sir,onyour election tothehighofficeofPres;_~n'(: ofthefortieth session oftheUnited Nations General Assembly. InthisjUbilee yearyourlongdiplomatic experience withtheUnitedNations willbeofinestimable assistance tous. LetmeoffermythanksalsotoAmbassador PaulLusakaforhissuccess~ul work asPresident ofthethirty-ninth session. Hehelpedtoensurethatduringthelast session oftheGeneral Assembly themajorproblems ofAfricaweredealtwith pragmatically, realistically andinagenuinely sympathetic spirit. Fortyyearsago,infounding theUnitedNations, thenations learned the lessons oftheSecondWorldWar.TheFederal Republic ofGermany, thoughnota founding MemberoftheunitedNations, hasalways, sinceitwasconstituted, worked forthefulfilment oftheunitedNations mission to~reserve worldpeace. Wedo thisbymeansofourpolicies inpursuit ofpeaceinEuropeandthroughout the world. For40yearsEuropehaslivedwithout war.IntheNorthAtlantic Alliance, to whichtheFederal RepUblic ofGermany asaliberal democracy hasfirmlyhitchedits destiny, acommuniq, ofStateswasestablished whichisamodelofpeaceful co-operation onabasisofequality andmakesacontribution topeaceandstability beyonditsownfrontiers. IntheEuropean Community, friendship andco-operation havetakentheplaceof centuries ofrivalry andconfrontation. Fromtheoriginal Community ofsixStates thepresent Community hasdeveloped withits10members, andtherewillsoonbe12 members. Theforthcoming accession ofSpainandPortugal totheEuropean CommunityBCr/at A/40/PV.lO 22 (Mr.Genscher, Federal Republic ofGermany) willbringgreatenrichment andnewstrength totheliberally anddemocratically constituted statesofEurope. Wewanttoputcloserconmonforeign andsecurity policies onacontractual basis. ThewaytoEuropean unionissignposted. We regardanactivepolicyinpursuitofpeaceasahistorical dutytoourown continent andtotheworld. EuropeismorethanthestatesoftheEuropean Community.Whenwespeakof Europe, wemeanthewholeofEurope. Peaceintheworldisparticularly dependent
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by the President of Panama to the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the country's national independence and economy, as well as its commitment to international cooperation and development. The speech touches on themes such as the widening of the Panama Canal, international trade, and the country's aspirations to become a major center for international trade in Latin America.

**Category**
International trade, Transport and communication