VI Round of Negotiations with EU in final phaseThursday, January 29, 2009 The negotiations are entering the final phase after yesterday's presentation of the sugar and banana offer by the EU. Nacion.com reports: "This has do with a quota which did not surpass, nor meet, the aspirations of Central America. VI Round of Negoations with EU endsFriday, January 30, 2009 The negotiations ended with important progress, although key issues such as banana continue to be stuck. La Tribuna reports on its website: "In general there has been progress in the negotiations. However, a lot is being negotiated. There is progress, however, negotiations on issues such as banana have not been completed," the Guatemalan vice minister of Foreign Trade, Ruben Morales, at a press conference held at the end of five days of negotiations." Panama Now Part of SICAFriday, June 29, 2012 After negotiations to overcome some last minute objections from Nicaragua, Panama has been formally included in the Central American Integration System. Citing "lack of clarity in the protocol document regarding the exact date, requirements and deadlines to which Panama commits to in order to be integrated into SICA", Nicaragua had objected to Panama’s full integration into the Central American Integration System (SICA). Europe Demands Full IntegrationTuesday, July 6, 2010 European authorities noted that as long as there are border controls, custom and tariffs, Central America's Integration process won't be complete. For many years Central American countries have been trying to create an economic integrated block, but now the Association Agreement with Europe requires them to step on the gas and fully complete it. Conflict looms with Europe over banana tariffsWednesday, May 7, 2008 A conflict is looming over the European Union's decision to impose a tariff of 176 euros per metric ton on bananas imported from Latin America. The issue will be on the agenda for talks among trade officials attending next week's summit in Lima of Latin American and European leaders. Panama Serves as Venue for the Commerce Ministers of C.A. MeetingTuesday, February 10, 2009 From the 11th to the 13th of February, advancement will be pursued regarding the integration of customs and the duties for bananas and sugar, issues still pending in the negotiations with the EU. PrensaLibre.com publishes in its website: "The Vice President and Panamanian Chancellor, Samuel Lewis Navarre, declared that there still is not a concrete date scheduled for the next round that Central America and the EU will coordinate in an attempt to achieve progress in negotiations and to conclude the talks next May, as they have had anticipated." Central America seeks special treatment for poultry and dairy productsWednesday, June 25, 2008 The poultry and dairy industries of Central America are seeking special or exclusive treatment for imported products in the trade agreement being negotiated with the European Union. "Dairy companies have asked for special treatment, and are sticking with their position," said Rigoberto Monge, a member of Central America's negotiating team. EU banana proposal does not suit the regionTuesday, January 27, 2009 The tariff reduction proposal presented by the EU within the framework of the negotiations for the Agreement of Association does not satisfy Central American Nacion.com reports: "The Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade, Marco Vinicio Ruiz, did not provide details on the European proposal as they are still in negotiations and the Isthmus has to respond this week. Panama Joins SIECAWednesday, June 27, 2012 The canal country's accession will be formalized on 29 June and will accelerate the elimination of tariffs and regional trade facilitation. The incorporation of Panama to the Secretary for Economic Integration of Central America (Sieca), will allow Central American countries to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU). Europe Insists on Central American IntegrationTuesday, March 31, 2009 The European Union again noted its interest in an integrated Central America where there is a free flow of investments, goods and services. The seventh round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America opened in Honduras with the explicit indication by Petros Mavromichalis, political negotiator of the EU that "regional integration remains a subject of great importance for us. Customs Duties on Imports from EuropeMonday, September 10, 2012 There is a requirement to avoid duplicate collection of customs duties levied on imports in order to meet the provisions of the trade pact with the European Union. The commissioner of Customs at the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) in Guatemala, Oscar Funes, referred to the commitments made by the region in the signing of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union, signed on 29 June. Customs Union Project ProgressesThursday, August 26, 2010 Representatives of the Central American countries involved have made progress in harmonizing customs tariffs. Agreements were achieved relating to the customs classification of various products including LED lights, van type vehicles with one row of seats and washer-dryer machines). Europe aims for 90 percent tariff-free trade with Central AmericaThursday, May 15, 2008 The European Union expects Central America to phase out tariffs on 90 percent of its products under a proposed free trade agreement between the two regions. But Karl-Friedrich Falkenberg, the EU's deputy director of foreign trade, said the proposal would be put on the table when the two sides meet in Lima at the summit of leaders of the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean. Panama Soon to Join SIECAFriday, May 18, 2012 Panama's accession will be formalized in late June and will accelerate the elimination of tariffs and facilitate regional trade. In Costa Rica and other Central American countries there are expectations over Panama's accession to the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat, which will be signed in Tegucigalpa on June 29, and the regional benefits it will bring. Integration Held Back by Large ObstaclesMonday, November 2, 2009 In spite of globalization driving various forms of private economic integration, there still remain custom and tariff barriers. International commerce experts agree that in order to fully take advantage of the benefits of free trade agreements with extra-regional blocks, Central America must complete the economic integration process started on October 14, 1951. |
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