Central America,
European Union Hold
Negotiation Round
Central America and the
European Union started a
round of talks in San
José on Monday, to
discuss a Partnership
Agreement, including a
free trade agreement, a
political dialogue, and
a chapter on
cooperation.
EU representative to
Costa Rica and Panama
Cristina Martins-Barreira
announced that they are
trying to define the
terms of negotiation, as
well as the principles
and objectives of the
accord.
According to the Central
American Economic
Integration Department,
the main challenge has
to do with the asymmetry
of the blocs, marked by
a big gap in technology
and human resources,
which grants the EU
comparative and
competitive advantages.
Central American
countries plead for
improved export
conditions, attracting
new investments and
advancing in their
struggle to eliminate an
import tariff on banana
European countries have
been applying for a year
and a half now.
During this first
meeting expected to be
running through Friday
October 26, the parties
will put their views
forward to define areas
requiring greater
efforts, Minister of
Economy of El Salvador
Yolanda de Gaviria.
These meetings involve
representatives of the
ministries of Foreign
Affaire and Economy from
Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, with Panama
as an observer.
The EU chief negotiator
will be Director General
of Trade Joao Aguiar
Machado. |
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