Biden has said the $5.2 billion project scheduled to be completed by
2015 presents a challenge to U.S. ports that need to expand to
receive the new, larger container ships that will pass through the
waterway. The expansion aims to double the cargo going through the
canal, which was first opened in 1914 by the U.S.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Fernando Nunez Fabrega greeted Biden at
the airport Monday night. Biden will have a day of events Tuesday
with President Ricardo Martinelli, who says the agenda will also
include bilateral trade and security issues.
The U.S. handed over the administration of the canal to Panama in
1999. [Associated
Press]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|