This way, EU recognizes Panama as part of the Central American block, despite the fact that it is not a member of the Central American Economic Integration Secretary (SIECA).

"Panama had previously requested the EU to be incorporated as a full member in the negotiation process, a possibility the Europeans found interesting and supported", reported Epa.

Source: European pressphoto agency

More on this topic

EU Would Approve Including Panama In C.A. Negotiations

March 2010

The European Union would announce its formal incorporation into the negotiations tomorrow.

As a requisite for being included in the project, Panama has accepted all the items already negotiated and closed.

“Panama will join Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua in this association process with the European block”, reported Prensa.com.

Panama Incorporated to EU-CA Negotiation

February 2010

The Central American countries, with the exception of Nicaragua, accepted the incorporation of Panama in the negotiation for an Association Agreement with the European Union.

At a meeting in Panama, the chancellors of SICA countries (Central American Integration System) signed a document in which they acknowledge that the incorporation of Panama to the agreement will help increase the goods and services offered by the region.

Panama Proposes Negotiation with EU

October 2009

In the proposal, dubbed "Five plus one", the country commits to making the necessary changes without economic integration with the region.

One of the changes would be the adoption of a unified tariff code with Central America.

"This proposal seems to have changed, at least partially, the posture of the European Union, who had initially conditioned Panama's participation in the Agreement to the country joining Sieca (Central American Integration System)", reported prensa.com.

Panama to Enter Agreement with EU

May 2009

The European Union would allow Panama to enter into the Agreement by lifting the prerequisite that it should be part of SIECA.

Panama has been an observer thus far in the negotiation for an Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union because the country had not fulfilled the European Union’s prerequisite of signing the protocol for the "economic integration with Central America, i.e.