ISDS Case Map
Central America
Trade negotiators from the European Union and the Central American nations met in Brussels last week and agreed to renew negotiations for an Association Agreement
There is a commitment to conclude the negotiation of the three pillars of the agreement in the month of July 2009.
On April 1, Nicaragua withdrew from FTA talks with the EU in Honduras as it failed to gain support of other Central American countries on the fund proposal for regional development, in which it suggested the EU accounts for 90 percent and Central America 10 percent. Nicaragua accused Costa Rica of demanding "in the last moment" to review the proposal.
With Nicaragua leaving the negotiation table, the 7th round of negotiations between the EU and Central America has been suspended. With this, the aggressive policies of he EU have been brought to a halt for the time being.
Increased flexibility of the rules of origin, market access, services, dispute resolution, regional approach, competition and procurements are the advances made in the sixth round of negotiations of the Free Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America according to Romulo Caballeros, Minister of Economy of Guatemala.
Speaking at the EU-Central America Private Sector Forum, in Brussels on 28 January, Eurochambres' Secretary-General Arnaldo Abruzzini urged political leaders not to miss the favourable momentum to conclude an association agreement (AA) between the EU and Central America, to the benefit of businesses in both regions.
The European Commission and Central America -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; and Panama as observer -- will meet in Brussels from 26 to 30 January 2009 for the sixth round of negotiations leading to an Association Agreement between the two regions. In addition, the Commission is announcing a €15 million aid package to support the strengthening of regional institutions in Central America and the participation of civil society in the process.
The banana companies in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States maybe forced out of business following the European Union's decision to negotiate a Free Trade agreement (FTA) with Central American countries in what the ACP Group describes as on “too generous” terms.
The European Commission has offered to permanently scrap import duties on ethanol from Central America as part of ongoing discussions over an Association Agreement between the two regions.
Latin American businessmen have long been lobbying for free trade agreements with the EU.
