Strasbourg, 06/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - In its adoption got he report by Spanish Socialist Raimon Obiols in Strasbourg on Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the conclusion of the political dialogue and co-operation agreement between the European Community and its Member States with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The Parliament also approved the report by Spanish Conservative José Salafranca and the conclusion of the EC/Andean Community agreement. This will be the first step toward the conclusion of association agreements, according to the two rapporteurs.
During the debate, Mr Obiols stressed the scale of changes in the region in question, and Mr Salafranca particularly stressed the creation of a Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, similar to that set up with countries involved in the Euromed process. Commissioner Chris Patten said that conditions are not yet ripe to start negotiations for an association agreement (including a free-trade agreement). One essential condition is greater regional integration, he warned, adding that he hoped the Guadalajara Summit (28 and 29 May) would flag up progress. The Latin-American region is a "geostrategic" priority, said the External Relations Commissioner, pointing out that European interventions in favour of the region increased 20% during the financial perspectives period of 2000-2006 compared to the previous period, and that funds for these countries were absorbed 100% in 2003.