Isthmus asks Europe for preferential treatment for organic productsWednesday, December 10, 2008 Central America asked the EU to offer preferential treatment for market access for organic products in the agreement of association. The request, presented this week in Brussels, is for Central American goods created with these characteristics to have preferential tariffs in comparison to traditional goods. Regional Banana exports to receive preferential treatmentMonday, September 29, 2008 European negotiators of the Commercial Agreement of Association confirmed that banana exports from the region to Europe will receive preferential treatment. Nicola Ardito, a member of the EU negotiating team, said in a statement to a group of Central American reporters that "there will be preferential treatment for banana. I don't know how what percentage, but yes we will be giving preferential treatment." Central American coffee producers defend their interests before the EUTuesday, November 4, 2008 The topic will be one of the points for discussion during the International Coffee Week being organized in Costa Rica from November 13-15. The executive president of the Costa Rica Coffee Institute (ICAFE), Ronald Peters, said to the La Prensa Libre" daily that Costa Rica and the rest of Central America will continue to advocate for the adoption of a strict rule of origin in order to prevent Europe from importing coffee from other places in the world and that would make Central America tariff-free. Europe consolidates its preferential taxes for Central AmericaTuesday, July 15, 2008 At Tuesday's opening of the fourth round of Central America-Europe trade talks in Brussels, Europe granted preferential treatment to a list of Central American products and consolidated 99 percent of its offer. Johanna Hill, spokesperson for the Central Americans and chief negotiator for El Salvador, said Costa Rica, the country that sells the most to Europe, insists that current access is not reflected in the offer. 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. Association Agreement with EU as of May 15Thursday, March 21, 2013 Honduras and Nicaragua will be the first countries to export to the European market under the preferential tariff agreed between the two regions. The agreement will be effective only in these two countries, as the parliaments of the rest of the region have not yet ratified it. World Trade Organization rules against Europe in banana disputeWednesday, May 21, 2008 The World Trade Organization has ruled against the European Union's tariff on bananas in a decision that represents a victory for Latin American producers. But Europe says it will lodge an appeal. The ruling says that the tariff breaks international trade agreements by giving preference to the former French and British colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, which are allowed to export 775,000 metric tons of bananas tariff-free each year. EU Agreement Protects Tomato, Potato and OnionMonday, April 26, 2010 Other projects such as candy, pastas and sausages were also left out of the agreement. On the plus side, smashed banana, orange and pineapple juice, tuna and palm hearth, among others, are products that will be able to enter the EU with zero tariffs. C.A. Request E.U Free Tariff for LiquorThursday, November 5, 2009 Producers and importers of alcoholic beverages suggested a tariff reduction agreement between EU and CA. This request could be included in the Association Agreement being negotiated between both blocks. Panama Recovers SGP Plus with EuropeFriday, June 11, 2010 Starting on July 1st, Panama will once again enjoy preferential tariff access to the European market, after losing this benefit on 2008, for failing to renew it on time. Roberto Henríquez, Commerce and Industry ministry, announced that “yesterday, the European Commission confirmed Panama as one of the countries included in the Generalized Tariff Preferences System (SGP-Plus), starting on July 1st”. The EU prepares sugar offer for the regionWednesday, January 28, 2009 It is expected that the EU will present its offer for sugar in two days, within the framework of the VI Round of negotiations being held in Brussels. The Minister of Foreign Trade for Costa Rica, Marco Vinicio Ruiz, said to Elfinancierocr.com: "There has been a lot of progress in the commercial part. "Most of our products, close to 90%, will enter with zero tariff. The idea is to discuss senstive products during the rest of the week." 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." |
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