08/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the Council of the EU authorised the Italian Presidency to sign a political dialogue and cooperation agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Andean Community and its Member States (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela). It also authorised the signing of a similar agreement with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The two agreements will be signed in Rome on 15 December.