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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

Uribe and Garcia break negotiations between the EU and the CAN
16-Sep-2008     RECALCA (Spanish original)
In perfect coordination, worthy of the political affinity between Alvaro Uribe and Alan García, the two presidents sent identical letters on 9 September 2008 to the President of the European Commission, in which, unilaterally and without consulting their partners in the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), they terminated the Association Agreement negotiations between the CAN and the EU. What they seek is quite serious: to force bilateral negotiations with the European Union, excluding both Bolivia and Ecuador.
García reiterates Peruvian interest to sign trade agreement with EU
16-Sep-2008     ANDINA
Peru's president, Alan García, confirmed today Peruvian interest to sign trade agreement with the European Union (EU); however, he recognized the initial obstacles for consensus in the Andean Community of Nations (CAN).
Ecuador likely to negotiate bilateral association agreement with EU
12-Sep-2008     ANDINA
Ecuador would agree with Peru and Colombia to negotiate a bilateral Association Agreement between the Andean Community (CAN) and the European Union (EU), stated Thursday Peru's minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Aráoz.
Peruvians slam President's stance on Bolivia
30-Jul-2008     Prensa Latina
Alan Garcia's reference to the differences between Lima and La Paz on an Association Agreement between the Andean Community of Nations and the European Union, referring to the format of the free trade agreement with the United States, which Bolivia rejects, is regrettable experts say
EU-CAN negotiations: Biodiversity in the crosshairs
16-Jul-2008     Radio Mundo Real
Bolivia's position on intellectual property rights, on the one hand, and biodiversity, on the other, had earlier put a damper on Colombia and Peru's drive to sign a trade deal with the US and is now affecting that to reach one with "the 27".
Latin America could halt EU trade talks over return directive
25-Jun-2008     EU Observer
Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, has warned that trade talks between the European Union and the Andean Community could be suspended if the 27-member bloc pushes ahead with its new immigration law.
Venezuela proposes food crisis fund at controversial trans-Atlantic summit
21-May-2008     Venezuela Analysis
Of primary emphasis at the summit were the EU's trade deals, termed “association accords,” with South America's Andean Community of Nations (CAN) and the southern free trade block MERCOSUR.
Round three of negotiations between the European Union and the Andean Community
30-Apr-2008     Upside Down World
The third round of negotiations for an association agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community (CAN), which took place between April 21st and 25th in Quito, began with a discussion of the asymmetries that exist between the two regions.
CAN intensifies preparations for the third round of CAN-EU negotiations
20-Mar-2008     IBLS
The Andean Community Member Countries intensified their preparations this week for the Third Round of Negotiations for the establishment of an Association Agreement with the European Union, which will be held this coming April 21 to 25 in Quito
Ecuador exporters warn increased duties could derail FTA
27-Oct-2007     Dow Jones
Ecuador's Federation of Exporters warned Friday that the country's recent increases in import duties will negatively affect negotiations on a free trade agreement between Andean countries and the European Union.