EU-Central America political dialogue and cooperation agreement

SUMMARY OF:

Political Dialogue and Cooperation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part

Decision 2014/211/EU concluding on behalf of the European Union of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?

• The agreement aims to strengthen relations by developing political dialogue and reaffirm cooperation between the EU and 6 Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama).
• The agreement does not contain trade concessions. It replaces a previous agreement, which dated from 1999.
• The decision concludes the agreement on behalf of the EU.

KEY POINTS

The agreement

Respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights, as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the rule of law, underpin the internal and international policies of the parties and is an essential element of the agreement. It also includes:

• commitment to the promotion of sustainable development;
• good governance and the fight against corruption;
• strengthening relations by developing political dialogue and reinforcing cooperation;
• strengthening cooperation on trade, on investments, and on economic relations;
• striving for political and social stability, and reducing poverty within a sustainable development framework in Central America;
• assessing progress periodically.

Political dialogue

The parties agree to reinforce their regular political dialogue covering all aspects of mutual interest and any other international issue, encouraging new initiatives based on common goals, finding common ground and promoting cooperation and actions throughout the Latin American region.

Cooperation

Cooperation focuses on:

• promoting political and social stability through democracy, respect for human rights and good governance;
• deepening regional integration in Central America to contribute to higher economic growth and improved quality of life;
• reducing poverty and promoting a more equal access to social services and the rewards of economic growth.

It covers the following specific areas:

• human rights, democracy and good governance and conflict prevention;
• strengthening modernisation of the state and public administration;
• regional integration and promoting regional activities;
• trade and services;
• intellectual property, public procurement and competition policy;
• customs and technical regulations and conformity assessment;
• industrial and small and medium-sized and micro-enterprise development;
• aquaculture, agriculture and rural sector, forestry and sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
• mining, energy, transport and tourism;
• information society, information technology, telecommunications and audiovisual;
• investment promotion, macroeconomic dialogue, and between financial institutions;
• statistics, consumer protection and data protection;
• scientific and technological, education and training;
• environment, biodiversity and natural disasters;
• culture, health, social and gender;
• participation of civil society in cooperation;
• indigenous peoples and other Central American ethnic groups;
• uprooted peoples and demobilised combatants;
• combating illicit drugs, money laundering and related crime;
• migration;
• counter-terrorism.

Note: the parties agree to conclude, if requested and as soon as possible, an agreement on the readmission of illegal migrants. The decision to approve the agreement on behalf of the EU explicitly excludes this aspect.

Future developments

The parties may agree to extend this agreement to broaden its scope in the light of experience gained during its implementation.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 1 May 2014.

BACKGROUND

An Association agreement was also concluded with these countries in 2012 (see summary).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Political Dialogue and Cooperation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part (OJ L 111, 15.4.2014, pp. 6-28)

Council Decision 2014/211/EU of 14 April 2014 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part, with the exception of Article 49(3) thereof (OJ L 111, 15.4.2014, pp. 4-5)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Notice concerning the entry into force of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part (OJ L 111, 15.4.2014, p. 1)

Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other (OJ L 346, 15.12.2012, pp. 3-2621)

Council Decision 2012/734/EU of 25 June 2012 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other, and the provisional application of Part IV thereof concerning trade matters (OJ L 346, 15.12.2012, pp. 1-2)

Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama (OJ L 63, 12.3.1999, pp. 39-53)

last update 06.04.2020