Andean Community hopes to begin free trade talks with EU
The Andean Community hopes to kick off free trade talks with the European Union (EU) at the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean Summit scheduled for May 12-13 in Vienna, bloc's Secretary-General Allan Wagner Tizon said on Monday.

The hoped-for inter-bloc free trade deal would help enhance ties within the Andean region, boost the members' international presence and bring the region close to the European development model which is more inclusive and focuses more on social cohesion, he said.

Wagner added that leaders of the Andean nations were also "calling for a political agreement with European governments at the summit."

Also in the statement, the Andean Community congratulated Chilean new President Michelle Bachelet who took office on Saturday, saying that they would like to improve relations with Chile which was a founder of the Andean Community but later quit due to disagreement with other members.

The Andean Community consists of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.