On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Panama on the 107th anniversary of your independence this November 3.

The Panama Canal first opened our hemisphere to new movements of people and ideas and helped knit our nations more closely together nearly a century ago. The bonds of culture and history between Panama and the United States continue to provide a firm foundation for our close cooperation today. We look forward to continuing our partnership to enhance citizen safety and regional stability, promote economic inclusion and educational opportunities for more people, protect our environmental treasures, develop clean energy resources, and pursue a more secure and prosperous future for us all. I wish the Panamanian people a joyous Independence Day celebration as we honor your accomplishments and reaffirm our commitment to deepening the friendship between our nations. ¡Felicitaciones Panameños!