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Ratification EU-Central America agreement
Belgium
Wednesday 12 December 2012
MD
Traditional exports from Central American countries to Europe are mainly bananas, pineapples and coffee.
The European Parliament has approved the Association Agreement with Central America, the first concluded with a regional bloc. The vote was passed with a very large majority (557 votes for, 100 against, 21 abstentions).
This agreement will bind the European Union to six Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. It will come into force in 2013 but requires ratification by the national parliaments of Member States.
MEPs also approved the installation of special "stabilisation mechanisms
" for bananas to protect producers of bananas in the Canaires, Guadeloupe and Martinique from additional imports expected from Costa Rica.
Parliament also endorsed the trade agreement with Peru and Colombia (486 votes for, 147 against, 100 abstentions). The removal of tariffs will benefit the fruits / vegetable sector as the two countries should increase their exports to Europe.
Parliament also endorsed the trade agreement with Peru and Colombia (486 votes for, 147 against, 100 abstentions). The removal of tariffs will benefit the fruits / vegetable sector as the two countries should increase their exports to Europe.
source : afp
