ISDS Case Map
Ecuador
Analysis of the third round of egotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and the Andean countries (Ecuador, Peru and Colombia).
"I reiterate, we’re not negotiating a free trade agreement with the European Union."
President says agreement threatens social advances
Negotiations toward a trade-opening deal between the EU and a group of Andean countries hit another snag this week when Ecuador's president publicly denounced the talks, calling them ‘biased'.
Ecuador will not sign a free trade deal with the European Union, President Rafael Correa said, criticizing the tenor of talks between the two. The European Union can give whatever pretty name it wants, but we are headed toward a free trade agreement, and we will not accept that, Correa said on Saturday.
Peruvian, Colombian and Ecuadorian officials will hold meetings with the European Union next week for a Free Trade Agreement. The discussion on intellectual property is seen as one of the most sensitive in the negotiations, because the Europeans have demanded an extension of the terms for the copyrights and data protection.
Intellectual property, a potential regional customs union, human rights, and bananas triggered heated debate last week in Bogota during the first round of negotiations toward a free trade agreement between the European Union and Andean nations Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
The FTA will not be negotiated taking the three Latin American countries as a block. The new format designed for the negotiations is an unique multi party agreement in which each country's particular interests will be taken into consideration regarding specific products, but all framed within the same agreement.
Ecuador President Rafael Correa approved negotiation of a bilateral agreement with the European Union because of the impossibility to do it in a block through the Community of Andean Nations.
A tribunal has determined that it holds jurisdiction to hear a claim brought by Chevron Corporation against Ecuador for alleged violations of the Ecuador-United States bilateral investment treaty (BIT).
