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  1. Negotiations

EU-CAN

The European Union and the Andean Community (Comunidad Andina de Naciones or CAN) have been working towards a bilateral trade and investment pact since 1993, when they first signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement. In Rome in 2003, ten years later, they signed a joint commitment to formally enter into an Association Agreement, “including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).” This was reaffirmed at the highest political level in Guadalajara in 2004. In May 2006, both sides agreed to initiate the negotiating process as soon as possible. The Andean Community is composed of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. (Venezuela withdrew in 2006.)

In April 2007, the EU adopted its negotiating mandate for the process. The draft is available

Colombia-European Union FTA on track
18-Feb-2009     Semana
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.
Spain expects to sign Peru-EU deal when takes bloc presidency in 2010
8-Feb-2009     Andina
Peru's Foreign minister Jose Antonio García Belaunde said Saturday that Spain wants to sign formally the Association Agreement between Peru and the European Union (EU), when this country takes on presidency of the bloc in 2010.
Green light for Colombia to discuss FTA with the EU
2-Feb-2009     Semana
In the second week of February Colombia will start to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. Semana International interviews Fernando Cardesa García, Ambassador of the Delegation of The European Commission to Colombia and Ecuador.
Ecuador, EU to explore trade
26-Jan-2009     Prensa Latina
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.
EU: Agrees to trade agreement with Colombia, Peru
21-Jan-2009     Stratfor
EU ministers from member states' Fishing and Agriculture Ministries agreed to allow modifications that will enable the European Union to negotiate association agreements and business deals on a bilateral level with Colombia and Peru instead of having to deal with the entire Community of Andean Nations (CAN) as a bloc
EU to continue FTA talks with Peru, Colombia
20-Dec-2008     Xinhua
The European Union said Friday that it had decided to pursue a Free Trade Agreement deal with Peru and Colombia despite reservations from Bolivia and Ecuador.
DECLARATION: "We demand that the European Union and the governments of Peru and Colombia stop promoting a split in the Andean Community of Nations (CAN)"
8-Dec-2008     Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean Bi-regional Network Enlazando Alternativas
We, social movements and civil society organisations of Europe, Latin America and elsewhere in the world, express our profound concern at the decision of the European Commission -- on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states, Colombia and Peru, to negotiate bilateral trade agreements, which we fear will prompt a de facto split of the Andean Community (CAN).
DECLARACION "Demandamos que la Unión Europea y los Gobiernos de Perú y Colombia no desintegren la CAN"
8-Dec-2008     Red Birregional Europa America Latina y el Caribe Enlazando Alternativas
Los movimientos sociales y organizaciones de la sociedad civil de Europa, América Latina y el mundo, expresamos nuestra profunda preocupación ante la decisión de la Comisión Europea, así como Colombia y Perú de negociar Acuerdos comerciales bilaterales entre ellos, provocando así una ruptura de facto de la Comunidad Andina de Naciones.
Ecuador: Correa comes in for criticism from the Left
8-Dec-2008     IPS
Ecuador's president has ruled out a separate free trade agreement with the European Union, outside of the Andean Community trade bloc, as Peru and Colombia are seeking. However, negotiators at the Foreign Ministry say that if it is necessary to seek a free trade deal separately from the rest of the bloc, they will do so.
Europe: What trade can have to do with trade unions
8-Dec-2008     IPS
The European Union has decided to push ahead with plans to secure a free trade agreement with Colombia despite the widespread abuse of labour rights in that country.