Central America & Andean Community: Commission proposes negotiating directives for Association Agreements
European Commission
Central America & Andean Community: Commission proposes negotiating directives for Association Agreements
Brussels, 6 December 2006
The European Commission has proposed that the EU should start negotiations for Association Agreements with Central America and the Andean Community in 2007. Once the Council has approved the negotiating directives, the Commission will engage in negotiations for comprehensive agreements, governing all facets of relations between the EU and these regions (political dialogue, cooperation and trade).
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, said: "The Commission has delivered on the commitments made last May in Vienna. I believe that these Agreements will consolidate existing long-standing links with both regions and will provide the right framework to deepen and move forward our relations to our mutual benefit. I trust that we will able to launch negotiations at the beginning of next year".
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said: "These agreements will establish the foundations for deep trade and economic relations between the EU and the Andean and Central American countries. They will help build regional markets, attract investment and develop trade".
With these Association Agreements, the Commission aims to foster a deeper political partnership with both regions based on promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance, a commitment to defend these common values on the world stage and to develop multilateralism.
The Agreements will set out the conditions for the gradual establishment of Free Trade Area between the EU and the two regions, and develop both intra- and bi-regional trade exchanges.
They will also enhance bi-regional co-operation so as to reinforce political, social and economic stability, help to create conditions for reducing poverty, as well as ensure an appropriate balance between economic, social and environmental components in a sustainable development context.
Negotiating with the Central American countries on a region-to-region basis, the Commission expects to provide further impetus to the regional economic integration processes and to contribute to higher economic growth and gradual improvement of quality of life for their peoples.
The conclusion of wide-ranging Association Agreements is a longstanding strategic objective, repeatedly confirmed at the EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summits in Madrid 2002, Guadalajara 2004 and Vienna 2006.
