Signed the Association Agreement between the EU and Central America

Madrid, Spain • 2011-03-25 • Gloria Villar - MICINN

Representatives of the European Union and Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) completed on Tuesday, 22 the legal review process for a comprehensive Association Agreement, and initialed the negotiated texts. After more than three years of talks in May 2010 concluded the negotiations for this agreement between the EU and Central America that includes a comprehensive trade pillar.

After this heading, we begin the formal process of translation, signing and ratification of the Agreement to enter into force as soon as possible to all contracting parties.¨I am very pleased with the section of the Association Agreement with Central America. This agreement is a concrete test of our ever-present commitment to the Central American region. We will further deepen our dialogue and strengthen our presence in the region, where the EU is already the largest donor, investor and partner "said the High Representative / Vice-President Catherine Ashton. EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, said: "I warmly welcome the signature of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Central America. Is an important step towards the entry into force of this agreement truly interregional. Is an agreement ambitious and comprehensive, which will promote trade and investment between us, which will help growth and job creation, as well as regional integration in Central America.The full text of the Partnership Agreement will be published shortly in the website of the Commission.