EU trade agreement could be delayedWednesday, July 23, 2008 Negotiations with the European Union on an Association Agreement might be delayed longer than expected. It might take until the end of 2009, and the accord might not go into effect until 2014. Enrique Lacs, former economic minister of the economy for Guatemala and former negotiator of the trade agreements made between Guatemala and the United States and Mexico, says he thinks the negotiations will take more time while aspects of policies, cooperation and market access are hammered out. EU to Buy Up to 60 Tons of SugarWednesday, March 18, 2009 Europe would admit up to 60,000 tons of Central American sugar, 5% of the deficit in its annual consumption. In the last round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between Central America and Europe, it was agreed to open the market at 35,000 tons, but the Europeans have given in more in recent mini-rounds, according to an article in La Prensa Grafica of El Salvador: "According to negotiation sources, they have given in a little bit more during the mini-rounds. In the last round, the proposal went up 60,000 tons. Negotiation Without Honduras to be Decided by EUMonday, August 31, 2009 The European Union will study tomorrow if they resume trade negotiations with Central America without Honduras. The topic will be analyzed in the Latin America Committee of the European Council (COLAT). EU Maintains Honduras in AgreementWednesday, September 2, 2009 The European Commission "doesn't want to leave Honduras isolated" in the Association Agreement negotiations. The measure fostered by Spain for leaving Honduras out of the negotiations has not been backed by other countries in the EU. C.A. Considering EU Negotiation Without HondurasMonday, July 13, 2009 Looking to not delay the final process of the negotiation, the region will analyze if they continue without the participation of Honduras. The Guatemalan chancellor, Haroldo Rodas, spoke about the subject: "In the future, when its crisis is resolved, Honduras could rejoin". GSP+ Two Year ExtensionMonday, November 7, 2011 The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP +) will extend for a further two years from 2012, until the Association Agreement with the EU becomes active. The director of trade policy at the El Salvadoran Ministry of Economy, Carlos Moreno, said that once the country’s Assembly has ratified the Association Agreement with the EU, the GSP + will lose its scope. Export Quotas in the European AgreementMonday, August 6, 2012 A computerized system is being prepared in order to control the volume of exports to Europe by each Central American country, within the provisions of the Partnership Agreement. An article in Laprensagráfica.com reports that "Central America is working on the adoption of a computerized system which will keep track of the volumes of cargo that each country in the region exports to Europe under the quotas that were agreed in the Agreement Association (AA). " EU and CA Close Telecommunications ChapterWednesday, April 21, 2010 Negotiators from both blocks announced they have reached an agreement on all items related to Telecommunications. The announcement was made by Rubén Morales, Guatemalan Economy Minister. He added that this chapter introduces safeguards for companies to participate in the Central American telecom market. EU Would Approve Including Panama In C.A. NegotiationsWednesday, March 3, 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 Enters EU NegotiationThursday, March 4, 2010 The European Union formally accepted the inclusion of Panama in the negotiations for an Association Agreement with Central America. 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). Central American negotiators meet before heading to BrusselsTuesday, November 18, 2008 The technical teams will meet in Guatemala next week to come up with a consensus for the proposal that they will take to the sixth round of negotiations. The main negotiators and the technical teams will meet from November 24 to 28 to try to establish their main positions for the sixth round of negotiations, which will be held in Brussels, Belgium, from December 8 to 12. Association Agreement with EU in 2012Tuesday, September 20, 2011 It is 'impossible' that the Association Agreement with the European Union will be ratified this year. This was the announcement made by the Minister of Economy of El Salvador, Hector Dada Hirezi, referring to the fact documents containing the cornerstones of the agreement have yet to be translated. Central America and the EU Advance in Association AgreementThursday, March 25, 2010 Negotiating teams closed chapters on health and food health measures in the Association Agreement between the two blocks. The announcement was made by Roberto Echandi, Costa Rica’s chief negotiator, who explained they also closed the technical regulations chapter. Central American Businessmen Unhappy With EU ProposalFriday, March 26, 2010 Ceca, the Central American Business Committee, is demanding the EU more flexibility when opening their market to agricultural goods. In a press release, the entity expressed its discontent with the level of market access offered by the European Union. They are even considering walking away from the negotiations. EU Suspends Meeting with Central AmericaWednesday, July 1, 2009 EU countries have decided to temporarily suspend negotiations to reach an association agreement with Central America. Sources state that “The idea is to continue as soon as possible. All the other Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua) have been informed and they have agreed. |
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