bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo
  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

EU-Andean talks inch forward, but Ecuador threatens to pull out
27-May-2009     ICTSD
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 president nixes EU free trade deal
25-May-2009     Euronews 24
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.
What is Harper getting Canada into by negotiating a deeper 'economic partnership agreement' with the European Union?
14-May-2009     Vue Weekly
The current Canada-European Union free trade negotiations could fundamentally change the way the Canadian economy works and our local communities govern themselves more than any previous trade agreement, including NAFTA.
EU's intellectual property agenda could impair access to medicines in the Andean region
6-May-2009    
The EU is more aggressive in its approach to intellectual property in trade agreements than the United States, MEPs learn
Human rights no block to EU-Colombia talks
6-May-2009     EU Observer
As the European Union this week launches another round of negotiations with Colombia on a free trade agreement, trade unionists who live daily under the gun of right-wing paramilitaries linked to the government have in Brussels in the last week pleaded with the EU executive to suspend the talks.
EU urged not to sign FTA with Colombia
1-May-2009     Columbia Reports
Colombian, American, and European union workers pressed the European Parliament not to sign a free trade agreement with Colombia if human rights don't improve here.
Peru refuses price raise on medicines at FTA negotiation with EU
27-Mar-2009     Xinhua
The Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry said Thursday that Peru will not accept raise in medicine prices in the second round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union..
Andean countries, EU to continue FTA dialogue
21-Mar-2009     Xinhua
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.
EU takes "realist" tone with Colombia
2-Mar-2009     Washington Post
While some in the EU have voiced concern about Colombia's human rights failures, Europe's top politicians do not seem interested in linking this problem to the FTA.
EU, Andean Nations struggle forward in trade talks
20-Feb-2009     ICTSD
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.