Merkel, Panama president spoke by phone about transparency, tax cooperation

A company list showing the Mossack Fonseca law firm is pictured on a sign at the Arango Orillac Building in Panama City in this April 3, 2016 file photo. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/Files

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela by telephone on Thursday, a spokesman for the German government said.

"This had been agreed in advance. Transparency and tax cooperation were important themes during this phone call," Steffen Seibert said at a government news conference on Friday.