The EU agrees to negotiate the modernization of the association agreement with Chile

The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) today gave the green light at the beginning of the negotiation to update the association agreement signed with Chile in 2002, which includes a treaty of free trade.

Brussels, Nov 13 (EFE). - The Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) today gave the green light at the beginning of the negotiation to update the association agreement signed with Chile in 2002, which includes a free trade agreement.

The EU Council endorsed the mandate for the European Commission (EC) to begin negotiations with the Chilean authorities, said the institution in a statement, which said that the first round of work is scheduled for November 16.

The political and economic relations between the EU and Chile governs them the association agreement, which after its signing began to be applied provisionally in 2003 and, fully, in 2005.

The Council of the EU explained that the new agreement replacing it it should serve as a framework for political, security and sectoral cooperation, as well as for commercial relations.

The main objective is to "deepen EU-Chile relations", assured.

Only in the commercial sphere, the agreement in force has already allowed to increase the exchanges of goods and services between the two parties.

According to EU data, the Chilean exports of agricultural and food products and services to the community territory have almost tripled with the treaty, while European exports to Chile have been doubled in most sectors.

Instead, the Board warned that the current agreement "does not address some important trade issues", such as specific provisions for investments, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property rights, the protection of certain geographical indications or sustainable development.

"Covering these gaps, A modernized EU-Chile partnership agreement will give the possibility to strengthen existing cooperation, lower prices for consumers, improve access to markets and create new ones opportunities for employment and growth, "said the ministers of the Twenty-eight.

According to the mandate approved for negotiation, the EU wants to" guarantee the highest levels of protection social, labor and environmental ", as well as" promote social justice and sustainable development ".