Central America & Andean Community: European Commission proposes
negotiating directives for Association Agreements
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.”
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