EEC/Andean Pact agreement: cooperation framework agreement

OBJECTIVE: to conclude a framework agreement on cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Cartagena Agreement and its member countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela). COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 98/278/EC concerning the conclusion of the framework agreement on cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Cartagena Agreement and its member countries, namely the Republic of Bolivia, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Ecuador, the Republic of Peru and the Republic of Venezuela. SUBSTANCE: The agreement, which was signed in Copenhagen on 23 April 1993, is based on respect for the principles of democracy and human rights. It is concluded for an initial period of 5 years, and is tacitly renewable. It primarily concerns: -stepping up the cooperation which already exists in numerous fields and encouraging integration among the member countries of the Andean Pact; -stepping up economic cooperation in the fields of industry, agro-industry, mining, agriculture, fisheries, energy, environment, new technologies, science, intellectual property, standards and quality criteria, services (including financial services), transport, telecommunications, health and plant health regulations, and regional development; -developing trade by studying ways and means of reducing obstacles to trade and promoting meetings between industrialists; -development cooperation, etc. The agreement includes a most-favoured nation clause. The parties undertake to grant each other tax and duty exemption for temporary import of goods. The agreement also mentions the conclusion of a separate protocol concerning ECSC products. It includes a clause concerning future developments, whereby the scope of cooperation may be extended as necessary. ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE AGREEMENT: 01.05.1998.�