Republic of Panama Ministry of Foreign Affairs General Directorate of Protocol and State Ceremonial
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REPUBLIC OF PANAMA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF PROTOCOL AND STATE CEREMONIAL __________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION INAUGURATION __________________________________________________________________________ Cocoli, June 26, 2016 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration Index A. Introduction B. Program of the Inaugural Ceremony of the Expanded Panama Canal Pages 1. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA 1 1.1 Panama "Hub of the Americas" 5 1.2 Banking Center 6 1.3 Economic Profile 7 1.4 Useful Information 8 1.5 Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance 9 2. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL 10 3. INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE EXPANDED PANAMA CANAL 12 3.1 General Event Information 12 3.2 Invitations to the Inaugural Ceremony 13 3.3 Official Precedence 13 4. VENUES WHERE THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY WILL BE HELD 13 4.1 Activities in the Atlantic Coast 13 4.2 Activities in the Pacific Coast 14 4.3 State Dinner hosted by His Excellency the President of the Republic in honor _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration of the Heads of State and/or Government, Heads of Reigning Houses 15 5. ACCOMODATION 16 5.1 Official Delegations 16 5.2 The host country will cover the costs of the Head of the Delegation 16 5.3 Accommodation for International Press 17 5.4 Accommodation for Crew 17 6. TRANSPORTATION 18 6.1 Conditions of transportation offered by the Government of Panama to the Heads of State and/or Government, Heads of Reigning Houses 18 6.2 Official aircraft, military or private flights 18 6.3 Arrivals of Heads of State to Tocumen International Airport 18 6.4 Arrivals of Heads of State to Panama-Pacific Airport 19 6.4.1 Over-flights and Landing Permits 19 6.5 Reception of Leaders in different terminals 19 6.6 Departure of Heads of State in official, military or private flights 20 6.7 Departure of Heads of State in commercial terminals 20 7. LUGGAGE 21 8. LIAISON 22 8.1 Official Liaisons of Head of State and/or Government 22 8.2 Liaison of Diplomatic Missions 22 9. PRESS AND MEDIA THAT WILL PROVIDE COVERAGE TO EVENTS 23 9.1 Guide to the official press 23 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration 9.2 Access and times to provide coverage 23 9.3 Media transportation 24 9.4 News Liaisons 24 9.5 Media Accreditations 24 9.6 Coverage of the arrival of Leaders to the airport 25 10. SAFETY 25 10.1 Overview 25 10.2 Security at the facilities 27 10.2.1 Security at the Host Hotel 28 10.2.2 Security at the Canal area 28 10.2.3 Security of aircraft and airport 29 10.3 Arrival and Departures of Special Aircrafts 29 10.3.1 1Transportation and Luggage 10.4 Departures from the airport in military or private civilian aircraft 31 10.4.1 Luggage 31 10.4.2 Passenger Transportation and Boarding 32 10.5 Accreditation (Credentials). 32 10.5.1 Press Credentials 32 10.6 Vehicle passes and Security during transportation 33 10.7 Applications for entry and carrying of weapons and other items 33 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration 10.8 Agents and weapons 34 10.9 Radio 35 11. MIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING PANAMA 35 11.1 Types of Visas 35 11.1.1 Authorized Visas (VA) 35 11.1.2 Stamped Visa (VE) 36 11.1.3 Tourist Card 36 11.1.4 Visa Exemption Agreements (ASV) 36 11.1.5 Visa Waiver (EV) 36 C. FORMS 38 D. ANNEXES 39 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration INTRODUCTION Panama has traditionally been seen as a country that serves everyone. It has been so even before becoming a republic, but back then our geographical position was basically a bridge for the transit of people and cultures. Since before the process of conquest by Spain, our Isthmus already had significant commercial networks in what is now the Gulf of Uraba. Panama was a participant in the pre- hispanic exchange route, which encompassed commercial transactions that included the Caribbean, part of what is now the Republic of Colombia, Central America, Yucatan and Mexico. In the colonial period, Panama, was famous for its Portobello fairs, where the highest volume of annual trade between Spain and the territories of the Viceroyalty of Peru took place. These fairs lasted over a century and a half between the years 1606 and 1739. Gold and silver from the Spanish colonies passed through Camino de Cruces during the peak of the Spanish Empire. Today, Panama is still the route of the seven seas. And we are nested between North and South, East and West. We are a major hub for all sea routes. The Panama Canal is one of the main facilitators of world trade, connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. It makes possible a short and economical transit route for ships worldwide. In addition, it is important to connect some of the biggest ports in the world. Canal traffic increases day by day and its extension will allow the passage of ships called Neo- Panamax, transporting goods, grain, petroleum and petroleum products, gas, and automobiles, among others. Canal expansion has value for the progress of countries, whether developed or developing, and injects significantly higher revenues to our economy. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration Furthermore, the expanded Panama Canal is considered one of the most modern and complex infrastructures of the 21st century. And it is primarily a work made by Panamanian hands, which makes us proud as a nation. Canal expansion will bring a significant technological development not only for Panama but for all nations. Its existence will impact world history, by connecting all maritime routes and being a facilitator of trade between the five continents. The Canal expansion will double the capacity for the transit of vessels, increase operational efficiency and provide more resources to provide better quality of life for Panamanians. We thank all the friends of Panama who have joined us in the implementation of this colossal work. You are witnesses, bastions and part of the defense of the Panama Canal, and beneficiaries of this work built, as it reads in our National Shield, "Pro Mundi Beneficio". Panama, June 26, 2016 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE EXPANDED PANAMA CANAL PROVISIONAL PROGRAM Sunday June 26, 2016 OFFICIAL EVENTS IN AGUA CLARA LOCKS - ATLANTIC SECTOR 7:45 a.m. Line-up and entrance of Neo-Panamax ship (access channel to the Locks) 7:55 a.m. Start of the Event by the Master of Ceremonies 7:55 a.m. Entrance of Neo-Panamax ship to the lower chamber 7:57 a.m. National Anthem of the Republic of Panama 8:00 a.m. Ascent of the ship in the lower chamber 8:00 a.m. Religious Invocation 8:04 a.m. Minute of Silence for workers deceased during construction 8:05 a.m. Welcome speech by the Panama Canal Administration (ship rises in the lower chamber) 8:10 a.m. Protocol greetings and speech by His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, President of the Republic 8:20 a.m. Inauguration of Agua Clara Locks (the gates into the middle chamber open) 8:20 a.m. Artistic performance, local talent 8:30 a.m. Agenda and Touring of Authorities and Panama Canal Administration _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE EXPANDED PANAMA CANAL PROVISIONAL PROGRAM SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016 OFFICIAL EVENTS IN COCOLI LOCKS - PACIFIC SECTOR 10:00 a.m. Entrance of general public to the Cocoli Locks 3:00 p.m. Entrance of the last buses transporting public to the access route in Bridge of the Americas 3:30 p.m. Entrances to general public are closed 3:45 pm. Arrival of the Heads of State and/or Government and Heads of Reigning Houses 4:20 p.m. Line-up and entrance of Neo-Panamax ship (access channel to the locks) 4:25 p.m. Official Photo 4:30 p.m. Start of the Event by the Master of Ceremonies 4:35 p.m. National Anthem of the Republic of Panama 4:40 p.m. Line-up of the ship, approach wall 4:40 p.m. Religious Invocation 4:44 p.m. Minute of Silence for workers deceased during construction 4:45 p.m. Welcome speech by the Minister for Canal Affairs (ship rises in the upper chamber) 4:50 p.m. Entrance of the ship in the upper chamber and ascent 5:00 p.m. Greetings and speech by His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, President of the Republic of Panama 5:10 p.m. Inauguration of Cocoli Locks (gates open into the middle chamber) 5:10 p.m. Artistic performance by local talent _________________________________________________________________________________________ Operations Manual of the Panama Canal Expansion Inauguration 5:40 p.m. Departure of Heads of State and/or Government and Heads of Reigning House to State dinner for (invitation by non-transferable card, which must be shown up at the entry of premises) 5:50 p.m. Departure of Special Guests to the cocktail 6:00 p.m. Departure of general public 6:30 p.m. Dinner hosted by His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, President of the Republic of Panama, in honor of the Heads of State and/or Government and Reigning Houses 6:30 p.m. Cocktail hosted in honor of Members of Official Delegations which are not chaired by Heads of State and/or Government, or Reigning Houses 8:30 p.m.