Panama not planning to retaliate over French move on Panama Papers
Panama will focus on diplomacy with France following a standoff over a mass data leak dubbed the "Panama Papers," President Juan Carlos Varela said after speaking with his French counterpart Francois Hollande.
 |
| French President Francois Hollande |
Panama had at first warned it could retaliate, but the president said on April 8 he prefers a diplomatic solution and would not seek "retorsion measures."
He said Panama's finance minister will fly to Paris next week to discuss cooperation.
French companies like transport group Alstom SA have several pending deals in the country, such as building new cars for the Panama Metro.
Asked whether France's decision on the blacklist would affect these deals, Varela said: "When I've had to act firmly, I have done it, but I'm a person who prefers to avoid confrontation... and you must practice what you preach."
Earlier on April 8, Hollande urged Varela to help French tax authorities with their enquiries following the Panama Papers leaks, his press office said. The leaks shone a spotlight on the shadowy world of offshore companies and embarrassed several world leaders.
