Lack of ratification of the Association Agreement by most Central American countries, has raised questions about the time of its entry into force.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
An article in 7dias.com.do reports that "Representatives from the Central American countries and the European Union (EU) will define on May 15, the day when the Association Agreement will enter into force, diplomatic sources said today."
According to Francisco Javier Sandomingo, head of delegation of the European Commission for Central America and Panama, this "is the date agreed by the heads of state and their representatives" in the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean summit which was held in January in Chile.
"On this day it has to be decided when the Association Agreement signed last June by Central America and the EU will enter into force, depending on how much the ratification process in each of the Central American States has developed by then," said the official .
"As things are going, by the end of August, the commercial part of the agreement, will most likely comes into force," said Sandomingo, who was confident that both blocks "could establish" on May 15 "a date for the exchange of instruments of ratification and, consequently, for the entry into force" of the Agreement.
The diplomat explained that the Association Agreement will enter into force for States which have ratified it, even though not all of them will have done so. The place where the meeting will be held was not confirmed by Sandomingo.
In the next six years, the EU will invest in regional customs strengthening which it considers essential for harnessing the benefits of the AA.
Laprensa.com.ni reports: "With the support of the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat the EU will start a Support Programme for Central American Economic Integration and Implementation of the AA".
The Association Agreement with the EU was approved with no negative votes by the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly.
From a press release from the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador in plenary session, affirmed on Thursday with 82 votes, the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (AA), which will enter into force on August 1.
Those countries who have not ratified the Association Agreement with the European Union are at risk of losing markets compared to other Central American nations.
In an interview in Siglo21.com.gt by Celso Solano, with the ambassador to the European Union in Guatemala, Stella Zervoudaki, the official explained that there will not be any sanctions if Guatemala fails to ratify the agreement on or before May 15, but the country faces other threats.
In late June the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union will be signed in Tegucigalpa, containing a section on trade which will take effect as soon as it is ratified by one of the governments of the region.
The final flourish of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (EU) - which consists of three pillars: economic, political and cooperation, is scheduled for between 28th and 29th June in Tegucigalpa, during a summit of Central American presidents.
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