President Ricardo Martinelli on Wednesdaym February 24,defended his frequent out of country trips in the new $22million presidential jet. 

He said his travels benefited the country through making contacts with political figures of foreign governments and the private sector.

:"The results have been positive, because when one makes a direct contact it brings financial benefits to the country" he said in reply to criticisms from several opposition politicians.In the past he had criticized thenumber of flights made by former president Martin Torrijos.
Martinelli, who completed 12 trips in seven months in office, recently attended the "Summit of Unity of Latin America and the Caribbean, Cancun, Mexico, where he met with heads of state and government from 24 countries. He also traveled to the US state where he attended university, and was criticized for traveling at government expense to see former classmates.
He is back in Panama until Saturday when he leaves for Israel.