EU announces $19 million for Central AmericaFriday, January 23, 2009 The European Union has announced this aid to help with the integration of the region ahead of the next round of negotiations for reaching an agreement of association. Prensa.com reports: "With this aid package, the community Executive wants to contribute to the consolidation of the regional institutions in Central America and the participation of the social organizations in the process, the EC indicated in a release." Europe improves its offer on tariffs for Central AmericaFriday, July 18, 2008 In negotiations on an association agreement with Central America, the European Union has improved its offer by proposing to increase the number of products that will enter Europe under the enhanced Generalized System of Preferences (GSP Plus). Eduardo Cálix, El Salvador's deputy foreign minister and Central America's current regional spokesman on political matters, said that recognition of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was no longer an issue. The European Union would allow time so that each country's legislature can officially recognize the ICC's authority, he added. Negotiating teams for Central American prepare strategyTuesday, August 19, 2008 The teams are fine-tuning a regional strategy to pressure the EU to begin discussions on sensitive topics such as sugar, banana, and fruits. Preparatory round 14 for the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU) began in Guatemala, with almost 100 negotiators in attendance to discuss market access, origin rules, technical obstacles to trade and intellectual property, among others. CA - EU Negotiation Depends on Honduran ElectionsWednesday, October 28, 2009 This was the official posture of a delegation from the European Parliament, in a visit to Costa Rica. Marco Vinicio Ruiz, Costa Rican Commerce Minister, explained the stance of the Europeans, who want to wait for the Honduran elections to resume negotiations after them. EU Requests to Resume Negotiations with C.A.Tuesday, December 8, 2009 The European Union has requested Central America to resume negotiations for an Association Agreement. While gathering at Brussels, EU's foreign relationships ministers remarked the council's intention of concluding the negotiation process for an association agreement with Central America. Panama Suspends Imports of European PotatoesWednesday, January 6, 2010 The country has temporarily suspended all imports of fresh or refrigerated potatoes from Europe. The measure, ordered by Aupsa, the Panamanian Food Safety Authority, is in response to a disease affecting the tuber (soft rot - Dickeya solani). Positive Signals in EU NegotiationsWednesday, January 6, 2010 They were suspended in June 2009, due to the Honduran political crisis, but could be resumed soon. Rigoberto Monge, responsible for negotiating international treaties on behalf of the Salvadoran private sector, commented on the latest statements by some EU institutions. CA-EU Negotiation to Resume in FebruaryFriday, January 8, 2010 The negotiations for an Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union will resume in February. The next negotiation round is scheduled for "the end of February in Brussels", detailed Mendel Goldstein, ambassador for the European Commission for Central America. Agreement with EU: Penalties by Country or as a Region?Friday, June 5, 2009 Although in commercial matters it has been agreed that application is by country, an initiative by Guatemala would make penalties applicable to the region in political matters. According to information published in Nacion.com, the proposal “generated the rapid mobilization of Costa Rican national authorities. The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Minister, Marco Vinicio Ruiz, said, "I already chatted informally with Guatemalan authorities and that there are plans to treat it at the foreign minister level - Bruno Stagno of Costa Rica and Haroldo Rodas of Guatemala." Central America Seeks Advances in Agreement with EUTuesday, June 23, 2009 In the initial meetings begun yesterday in Brussels the future of “sensitive” products like bananas and sugar will be tackled. This will be one of the last chapters of the negotiation process as it is one of the most difficult to reach a consensus for since it affects the direct interest of both sides. CE – EU Round Concludes Without AgreementThursday, April 29, 2010 Both blocks closed 10 days of intense negotiations without closing their Association Agreement. Talks will continue at “the highest level”, as the parties hope to agree on the final issues in May. El Salvador Will Participate in Upcoming EU NegotiationsMonday, May 3, 2010 The Economy Ministry denied allegations that El Salvador would be absent from the next negotiation round of the Association Agreement with the European Union. The statement by Hector Dada comes a few days after Daniel Ortega, Nicaraguan president, said that both his country and El Salvador would not participate in the next round. EU-CA Negotiations to Resume Next WeekMonday, May 10, 2010 Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain’s Foreign Relations Minister, reported that the negotiations for the association agreement will be resumed this week. At a press conference, he stated that “there is willingness to conclude the agreement” on May 18th, at the Euro-Latin American summit. Dairy Industry Fears Rushed EU AgreementWednesday, May 12, 2010 Tomorrow, Central America and the European Union will continue negotiating the Association Agreement; dairy products will be the main item in the agenda. Within the commercial chapter of the agreement, the most complicated topic has been how much European agricultural production may enter Central America, especially dairy goods. Europe is Not Easy for Non-Traditional ExportsWednesday, October 3, 2012 Although there is a market in the EU for Nicaraguan non-traditional products, producers face tough requirements and controls in order to conquer it. In 2013 the trade component of the Association Agreement with the European Union will come into effect, which will liberalize most of the Central American export goods. |
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