European Union and Central America
for Partnership in 2009
Brussels - The European
Union (EU) and Central America started on Monday the sixth round of
negotiations for a Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the
commitment to speed up the process so that it can be signed in 2009.
The agreement includes a Free Trade Agreement between the parties,
according to official sources.
The meeting has been positive and we agreed on the need to speed up
mechanisms, said Salvadorian Minister of Economy Ricardo Esmahan at
the end of a gathering with his Central American peers and European
Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton.
Guatemalan Economy Minister Romulo Caballero is optimistic about the
meeting Jan 26-30 because Ashton showed sensibility and knowledge of
Central American reality, he said.
This has been uncommon in relations between the blocs, noted
Caballero.
In his opinion, the trade issue is resolved in a 90-95 percent, with
only certain outstanding aspects or items, including the banano and
the Central American integration through a customs union.
The AA talks started in October last year in Costa Rica, with both
regions striving to complete them in mid 2009, so that it can come
into effect in 2010.
The current meeting is being attended by more than 300 delegates and
representatives of social organizations, who will also take part in
the third EU-Central America private sector forum in Brussels. |
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