WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
3 March  2020 
(20-1588) Page: 1/18 
Committee on Trade and Development  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
LATIN AMERICA INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION  
This document is being circulated at the request of the member countries of the Latin American 
Integration Association (LAIA). It contains the text of the 1980 Montevideo  Treaty , which was 
originally circulated on 1 July 1 982 in document L/5342 as a notification under the Enabling Clause . 
_______________  
 
 
  WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  1980 MONTEVIDEO  TREATY  
 
Montevideo, August 1 980 
The GOVERNMENTS of the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Bolivia, the Federative Republic 
of Brazil, the Republic of Chile, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Ecuador, the United Mexican 
States, the Republic of Paraguay, the Republic of Peru, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, and the 
Republic of Venezuela,  
INSPIRED by the purpose of strengthening the friendship and solidarity links between their 
peoples.  
PERSUADED that economic regional integration is one of the principal means for the 
Latin American countries to speed up their economic and social development process in  order to 
ensure better standards of life for their peoples.  
DECIDED to renew the Latin American integration process and establish objectives and 
mechanisms consistent with the region's real situation.  
CERTAIN that the continuation of such process requires  taking advantage of the positive 
experience obtained in the implementation of the Montevideo Treaty dated 1 8 February 1 960. 
AWARE that it is necessary to ensure a special treatment for countries at a relatively less 
advanced stage of economic development.  
WILLING to encourage the development of solidarity and cooperation ties with other countries 
and integration areas of Latin America in order to promote a process converging towards the 
establishment of a regional common market.  
CONVINCED of th e need to contribute towards obtaining a new scheme of horizontal 
cooperation between developing countries and their integration areas, inspired by the principles of 
international law regarding development.  
BEARING IN MIND the decision adopted by the contracting parties to the General Agreement 
on Tariffs and Trade whereby regional or general agreements may be drawn up between developing 
countries in order to mutually reduce or eliminate obstacles to their reciprocal trade,  
 
THEY HEREBY AGREE to sign th e present Treaty which, concurrent with the provisions herein 
contained, shall substitute the Treaty instituting the Latin American Free Trade Association.  
  WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 3 - 
 
  CHAPTER  I 
Objectives, duties and principles  
Article 1 
By the present Treaty the contracting parties pursue the integration process leading to 
promote the harmonious and balanced socio -economic development of the region, and to that effect 
they hereby institute the Latin American Integration Association (hereinafter referred to as the 
"Association"), wi th headquarters in the city of Montevideo, Eastern Republic of Uruguay.  
The long -term objective of such process shall be the gradual and progressive establishment 
of a Latin American common market.  
Article 2 
The rules and mechanisms of the present Treaty, as well as those which may be established 
within its framework by member countries, shall have as their purpose the performance of the 
following basic duties of the Association : promotion and regulation of reciprocal trade, economic 
complementation, and de velopment of economic cooperation actions encouraging market expansion.  
Article 3 
In the implementation of the present Treaty and the evolution towards its final objective, 
member countries shall bear in mind the following principles:  
 
(a) Pluralism, sustained by the will of member countries to integrate themselves, over and 
above the diversity which might exist in political and economic matters in the region;  
 
(b) Convergence, meaning progressive multilateralization of partial scope agreements by 
means of periodical negotiations between member countries, with a view to establish the 
Latin American common market;  
 
(c) Flexibility, characterized by the capacity to allow the conclusion of partial scope 
agreements, ruled in a form consist ent with the progressive attainment of their convergence 
and the strengthening of integration ties;  
 
(d) Differential treatments, as determined in each case, both in regional and partial scope 
mechanisms, on the basis of three categories of countries, whic h will be set up taking into 
account their economic -structural characteristics . Such treatments shall be applied in a 
determined scale to intermediate developed countries, and in a more favourable manner to 
countries at a relatively less advanced stage of economic development ; and 
 
(e) Multiple, to make possible various forms of agreements between member countries, 
following the objectives and duties of the integration process, using all instruments capable 
of activating and expanding markets at regional le vel. 
 
CHAPTER  II 
Mechanisms  
Article 4 
In order to fulfil the basic duties of the Association set forth in Article 2 of the present Treaty, 
member countries hereby establish an area of economic preferences, comprising a regional tariff 
preference, regional scope agreements, and partial scope agreements . 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 4 - 
 
  First section  – Regional tariff preference  
Article 5 
Member countries shall reciprocally grant a regional tariff preference to be applied with 
reference to the level in force for third c ountries and be subject to the corresponding regulation . 
Second section  – Regional scope agreements  
Article 6 
Regional scope agreements are those in which all member countries participate . 
They shall be drawn up within the framework of the objectives and provisions of the present 
Treaty, and may refer to the same matters and include those instruments foreseen for the partial 
scope agreements provided for in the third section of the present Chapter . 
Third section  – Partial scope agreements  
Article 7 
Partial scope agreements are those wherein all member countries do not participate . These 
agreements shall tend to create the conditions necessary to deepen the regional integration process 
by mean s of their progressive multilateralization.  
Rights and obligations to be established in partial scope agreements shall exclusively bind the 
signatory member countries or those adhered thereto . 
Article 8 
Partial scope agreements may refer to trade, economic  complementation, agriculture, trade 
promotion, or adopt other modalities concurring with Article 14 of the present Treaty . 
Article 9 
Partial scope agreements shall be governed by the following general rules : 
 
(a) They shall be open for accession to the other member countries, prior negotiation ; 
 
(b) They shall contain clauses promoting convergence in order that their benefits reach all 
member countries ; 
 
(c) They may contain clauses promoting convergence with other Latin American countries, in 
concurrenc e with the mechanisms established in the present Treaty ; 
 
(d) They shall include differential treatments depending on the three categories of countries 
recognized by the present Treaty . The implementation of such treatments as well as 
negotiation procedure s for their periodical revision at the request of any member country 
which may consider itself at a disadvantage shall be determined in each agreement ; 
 
(e) Tariff reductions may be applied to the same products or tariff sub -items and on the basis 
of a percentage rebate regarding the tariffs applied to imports originating from 
non-participating countries ; 
 
(f) They shall be in force for a minimum term of one year ; and 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 5 - 
 
  (g) They may include, among others, specific rules regarding origin, safeguard clauses , 
non-tariff restrictions, withdrawal of concessions, renegotiation of concessions, 
denouncement, coordination and harmonization of policies . Should these specific rules not 
have been adopted, the general provisions to be established by member countries on  the 
respective matters shall be taken into account.  
 
Article 10 
Trade agreements are exclusively aimed towards trade promotion among member countries, 
and shall be subject to the specific rules to be established for that purpose . 
Article 11 
Economic complementation agreements are aimed, among other objectives, to promote 
maximum utilization of production factors, stimulate economic complementation, ensure equitable 
conditions for competition, facilitate entry of products into the internationa l market, and encourage 
the balanced and harmonious development of member countries . 
These agreements shall be subject to the specific rules to be established for that purpose . 
Article 12 
Agricultural agreements ar e aimed to promote and regulate intraregio nal trade of agricultural 
and livestock products . They shall contemplate flexibility elements bearing in mind the participating 
countries' socio -economic characteristics of production . These agreements may refer to specific 
products or groups of products, and may be based on temporary, seasonal, per quota or mixed 
concessions, or on contracts between State or para -State organizations . They shall be subject to the 
specific rules to be established for that purpose . 
Article 13 
Trade promotion agreements shall refer to non -tariff matters and tend to promote 
intraregional trade flows . They shall be subject to the specific rules to be established for that 
purpose . 
Article 14 
Member countries may establish, through the corresponding regulations, specific rules to 
conclude other modalities of partial scope agreements . 
For this purpose, they shall take into consideration, among other matters, scientific and 
technological cooperation, tourism promotion and preservation of the environment . 
CHAPTER  III 
System in favour of countries at a relatively  less 
advanced  stage of economic development  
Article 15 
Member countries shall establish conditions favouring participation of countries at a relatively 
less advanced stage of economic development in the economic integrat ion process, based on the 
principles of non -reciprocity and community cooperation . WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 6 - 
 
  Article 16 
For the purpose of ensuring them an effective preferential treatment, member countries shall 
establish market openings as well as set up program mes and other spec ific forms of cooperation . 
Article 17 
Actions favouring relatively less developed countries shall be concluded through regional 
scope and partial scope agreements . 
In order to ensure the effectiveness of such agreements, member countries shall execute 
negotiated rules concerning preservation of preferences, elimination of non -tariff restrictions and 
application of safeguard clauses in justified cases . 
First section  – Regional scope agreements  
Article 18 
For each relatively less developed count ry, member countries shall approve negotiated lists of 
preferably industrial products originating from each relatively less developed country, for which total 
elimination of customs duties and other restrictions shall be accorded, without reciprocity, by a ll 
other member countries of the Association . 
Member countries shall set up the necessary procedures to achieve progressive extension of 
the respective liberalization lists . Corresponding negotiations may be carried out when deemed 
convenient.  
At the same time, member countries shall endeavour to set up effective compensation 
mechanisms to take care of negative effects which might influence intraregional trade of the 
relatively less developed landlocked  countries.  
Second section – Partial scope agreements  
Article 19 
Partial scope agreements negotiated by the relatively less developed countries with other 
member countries shall conform, wherever pertinent, with the provisions contained in Articles 8 and 
9 of the present Treaty . 
Article 20 
In order to encourage effective and collective cooperation in favour of relatively less developed 
countries, member countries shall negotiate Special Cooperation Programmes with each one of 
them.  
Article 21 
In order to facilitate utilization of tariff cuts, m ember countries may set up cooperation 
program mes and actions in the fields of pre -investment, financing and technology, mainly directed 
towards supporting the relatively less developed countries, with special regard, among them, to 
landlocked  countries.  
Article 22 
Notwithstanding the preceding Articles, treatments in favour of relatively less developed 
countries may include collective and partial cooperation actions calling for effective mechanisms WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 7 - 
 
  meant to compensate the disadvantageous situation faced by  Bolivia and Paraguay due to their 
landlocked  location . 
Provided that criteria referred to gradual timing are adopted within the regional tariff 
preference referred to in Article 5 of the present Treaty, attempts shall be made to preserve the 
margins granted in favour of landlocked  countries by means of cumulat ive tariff cuts . 
At the same time, attempts shall be made to establish compensation formulae, both as regards 
the regional tariff preference when deepened, and regional and partial scope agreements . 
Article 23 
Member countries shall endeavour to grant landlocked  countries facilities to establish free 
zones, warehouses or ports and other administrative international transit facilities in their territories . 
CHAPTER IV 
Convergenc e and cooperation  with other Latin American  
 countries and areas of economic integ ration  
Article 24 
Member countries may establish multilateral association or relationship systems encouraging 
convergence with other countries and areas of economic integration of Latin America, including the 
possibility of agreeing with these countries or  areas the establishment of a Latin American tariff 
preference . 
 
Member countries shall in due course regulate the characteristics of these systems . 
 
Article 25 
 
Likewise, member countries may draw up partial scope agreements with other Latin American 
countries and areas of economic integration, in accordance with the various modalities foreseen in 
the third section of Chapter II of the present Treaty, and under th e terms of the respective regulative 
provisions . 
 
Notwithstanding the above, these agreements shall be subject to the following rules : 
 
(a) Concessions granted by participating member countries shall not be extensive to the 
others, excepting the relatively less developed countries ; 
(b) When a member country includes products already negotiated in partial agreements with 
other member countries, concessions granted may be higher than those agreed with the 
former ; in this case, consultation with the affected member countries shall be carried out in 
order to find mutually satisfactory solutions, unless the respective partial agreements include 
clauses concerning automatic extension or waiver of preferences contained in the partial 
agreements referred t o in the present Article; and 
(c) They shall be multilaterally assessed by the member countries within the Committee in 
order to acknowledge the scope of the agreements drawn up and facilitate participation of 
other member countries in same . 
  WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 8 - 
 
  CHAPTER  V 
 
Coopera tion with other areas of economic integration  
 
Article 26 
 
Member countries shall undertake the actions necessary to establish and develop solidarity 
and cooperation links with other integration areas outside Latin America, through the Ass ociation's 
participation in horizontal cooperation program mes carried out at international level, thus 
implementing the basic principles and commitments adopted within the context of the Declaration 
and Action Program me on the establishment of a New International Economic Order and of the 
Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States . 
The Committee shall adopt adequate measures to facilitate compliance with the objectives set 
forth. 
Article 27 
 
At the same time, member  countries may draw up partial scope agreements with other 
developing countries or respective economic integration areas outside Latin America, following the 
various modalities foreseen in the third section of Chapter II of the present Treaty, and under th e 
terms of the pertinent regulative provisions . 
Notwithstanding the above, these agreements shall be subject to the following rules : 
(a) Concessions granted by member countries participating in them shall not be extended to 
other members, with the exception of the relatively less developed countries ; 
(b) When products already negotiated with other member countries in partial scope 
agreements are included, concessions granted may not be higher than those agreed with the 
former, and in such case they shall be automatically extended to those countries ; and 
(c) They shall be declared consistent with the commitments undertaken by member countries 
within the frame of the present Treaty, in accordance with captions (a) and (b) of the present 
Article . 
CHAPTER  VI 
Institutional organization  
Article 28 
The political bodies of the Association are : 
(a) The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (referred to as the "Council" in this Treaty) ; 
 
(b) The Evaluation and Convergence Conference (referred to as the " Conference" in this 
Treaty) ; and 
 
(c) The Committee of Representatives (referred to as the "Committee" in this Treaty).  
 
Article 29 
 
The technical body of the Association is the General Secretariat (referred to as the 
"Secretariat" in this Treaty).  
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 9 - 
 
  Article 30 
 
The Council is the supreme body of the Association and shall adopt whatever decisions may 
correspond to the higher governing policy of the economic integration process . 
The Council shall have the following powers : 
(a) To issue general rules aimed at a better compliance with the objectives of the Association, 
as well as at the harmonious development of the integration process ; 
(b) To examine the results of the tasks carried out by the Association ; 
(c) To adopt corrective measures of multilater al scope, following the recommendations 
adopted by the Conference as per terms of Article 33, caption (a), of the present Treaty ; 
(d) To establish the guidelines to be followed by the other bodies of the Association in their 
tasks; 
(e) To set the basic rules to govern the relations of the Association with other regional 
associations, international organizations or agencies ; 
(f) To review and update basic rules governing convergence and cooperation agreements with 
other developing countries and the respective areas of economic integration ; 
(g) To take cognizance of questions submitted by the other political bodies and decide upon 
them; 
(h) To delegate upon the other political bodies the power to decide on specific matters aimed 
at a better compliance  with the Association objectives ; 
(i) To accept accession of new member countries ; 
(j) To adopt amendments and additions to the Treaty as per precepts of Article 61 ; 
(k) To appoint the Secretary -General ; and 
(l) To adopt its own Rules of Procedure . 
Article 31 
 
The Council shall be composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member countries . 
However, when in some countries the competence of integration matters is assigned to a Minister 
or Secretary of State other than the Minister of Foreign Aff airs, member countries may be 
represented at the Council, with full powers, by the respective Minister or Secretary . 
 
Article 32 
 
The Council shall meet and take decisions with the presence of all member countries . 
The Council shall meet when convened by t he Committee . WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 10 - 
 
  Article 33 
The Conference shall have the following powers : 
(a) To examine the operation of the integration process in all its aspects and the convergence 
of partial scope agreements through their progressive multilateralization, as well as to 
recommend the Council the adoption of multilateral scope corrective measures ; 
(b) To promote actions of broader scope regarding economic integration ; 
(c) To periodically review the implementation of differential treatment s, taking into account 
not only the evolution of the economic structure of the countries and consequently their degree 
of development, but also the effective use made by beneficiary countries of the applied 
differential treatment, as well as of the procedu res aimed to improve the implementation of 
such treatments ; 
(d) To evaluate the results of the system in favour of countries at a relatively less advanced 
stage of economic development and adopt measures for its more effective application ; 
(e) To carry out multilateral negotiations to determine and deepen the regional tariff 
preference ; 
(f) To foster negotiation and conclusion of regional scope agreements, wherein all member 
countries participate, which refer to any matter pertaining to the present  Treaty, as per 
precepts of Article 6 ; 
(g) To comply with all the tasks entrusted to it by the Council ; 
(h) To commend the Secretariat such studies as it deems convenient ; and 
(i) To adopt its own Rules of Procedure . 
Article 34 
 
The Conference shall be composed of plenipotentiaries of member countries . 
The Conference shall hold regular sessions every three years at the request of the Committee . 
It shall also meet at any other time in extraordinary session, when convened by the lat ter to deal 
with questions of its specific competence . 
The Conference shall meet and take decisions with the presence of all member countries . 
Article 35 
The Committee is the permanent body of the Association and shall have the following powers 
and duties : 
(a) To promote the conclusion of regional scope agreements, under the terms of Article 6 of 
the present Treaty and, for that purpose, to convene governmental meetings at least once a 
year with the following aims : 
(i) Give continuity to the activities of the new integration process ; 
(ii) Evaluate and guide the operation of the process ; 
(iii) Analyse and promote measures to attain more advanced mechanisms of 
integration ; and WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 11 - 
 
  (iv) Undertake sectoral and multisectoral negotiations with the participation of all 
member countries in order to reach regional scope agreements basically referred to 
tariff cuts ; 
(b) To adopt the measures necessary to implement the present Treaty and all its 
supplementary rules ; 
(c) To regulate the present Treaty ; 
(d) To perform the tasks entrusted to it by the Council and the Conference ; 
(e) To adopt the annual work programme of the Association and its annual budget ; 
(f) To fix the contributions of member countries to the Association budget ; 
(g) To adopt, as proposed  by the Secretary -General, the structure of the Secretariat ; 
(h) To convene the Council and the Conference ; 
(i) To represent the Association before third parties ; 
(j) To commend studies to the Secretariat ; 
(k) To submit recommendations to the Council and the Conference ; 
(l) To present reports on its activities to the Council ; 
 
(m) To propose formulae to solve issues brought forth by member countries claiming 
non-observance of some of the rules or principles of the present Treaty ; 
 
(n) To multil aterally assess partial agreements as may be drawn up by the countries under 
the terms of Article 25 of the present Treaty ; 
 
(ñ) To declare the compatibility of partial agreements to be drawn up by member countries 
under the terms of Article 27 of the pres ent Treaty ; 
 
(o) To create auxiliary bodies ; 
 
(p) To adopt its own rules of procedure ; and 
 
(q) To take care of business of common interest not falling within the competence of the other 
bodies of the Association . 
 
Article 36 
 
The Committee shall be composed of a permanent representative of each member country 
with the right to one vote . 
 
Each permanent representative shall have a deputy . 
 
Article 37 
 
The Committee shall meet and adopt resolutions with the presence of two thirds of the 
member countries' representatives . 
 
Article 38 
 
The Secretariat shall be headed by a Secretary -General and composed of technical and 
administrative staff . WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 12 - 
 
   
The Secretary -General shall hold office for a period of three years and may be re -elected for 
an equal term . 
 
The Secretary -General shall act in such capacity with respect to all the political bodies of the 
Association . 
 
The Secretariat shall have the following powers a nd duties : 
 
(a) To submit proposals to the corresponding Association bodies, through the Committee, 
leading towards a better accomplishment of the objectives and duties of the Association ; 
 
(b) To carry out the necessary studies to fulfil its technical duties and those entrusted to it by 
the Council, the Conference and the Committee, and to perform the other activities provided 
for in the annual work programme ; 
 
(c) To carry out studies and actions leading to proposals to member countries, thro ugh their 
permanent representatives, regarding conclusion of the agreements foreseen by the present 
Treaty, within the guidelines established by the Council and the Conference ; 
 
(d) To represent the Association before international economic organizations and institutions 
in order to deal with questions of common interest ; 
 
(e) To administer the Association assets and represent it for such purposes in public and 
private law acts and contracts ; 
 
(f) To request technical advice and cooperation o f individuals and national and international 
organizations ; 
 
(g) To propose the creation of auxiliary bodies to the Committee ; 
 
(h) To process and furnish member countries, in a systematic and updated manner, statistical 
information and data on foreign tra de regulation systems of member countries in order to 
facilitate the preparation and carrying out of negotiations within the various Association 
mechanisms, as well as the further utilization of the respective concessions ; 
 
(i) To analyse on its own initia tive, for all countries, or at the request of the Committee, 
compliance of agreed commitments, and evaluate legal provisions of member countries which 
directly or indirectly alter concessions granted ; 
 
(j) To call meetings of non -governmental auxiliary bod ies and coordinate their operation ; 
 
(k) To periodically evaluate the progress of the integration process and permanently follow up 
the activities undertaken by the Association and the commitments resulting from the 
agreements achieved within the framework  of same ; 
 
(l) To organize and put into operation an economic promotion unit for relatively less developed 
countries and carry out actions to obtain technical and financial resources, as well as studies 
and projects to comply with the promotion program me. At the same time, to draw up an 
annual report on the advantages obtained from the system in favour of the relatively less 
developed countries ; 
 
(m) To prepare the Association's expenditure budget, for approval by the Committee, as well 
as such s ubsequent reforms which might be necessary ; 
 
(n) To prepare and present to the Committee the draft annual work programmes ; 
 
(ñ) To engage, admit and dismiss technical and administrative staff, in accordance with the 
regulations ruling its structure ; 
 
(o) To comply with requests received from any of the political bodies of the Association ; and 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  (p) To present an annual report to the Committee on the results of the application of the 
present Treaty and the legal provisions derived therefrom . 
 
Article 39 
 
The Secretary -General shall be appointed by the Council . 
 
Article 40 
 
In the performance of their duties, the head of the technical body, as well as the technical and 
administrative staff, shall not seek or receive instructions from any Government or national or 
international organizations . They shall refrain from any attitude not consistent with their character 
as international officers.  
 
Article 41 
 
Member countries pledge themselves to respect the international nature of the duties of the 
Secretary -General and Secretariat staff or of its engaged experts and consultants, and to abstain 
from influencing them in the performance of their duties . 
 
Article 42 
 
Auxiliary bodies shall be established for consultation, assessment and technical su pport . In 
particular, one body shall be set up composed of officers responsible for the integration policy of 
member countries.  
 
At the same time, consultative auxiliary bodies shall be set up composed of representatives 
of the various sectors of economic activity of each one of the member countries.  
 
Article 43 
 
The Council, the Conference and the Committee shall adopt their decisions by the affirmative 
vote of two thirds of the member countries . 
 
Decisions on the following matters excepted from this general rule shall be adopted by a 
two-thirds  affirmative vote, provided there is no negative vote : 
 
(a) Amendments or additions to the present Treaty ; 
 
(b) Adoption of decisions corresponding to th e higher governing policy of the integration 
process ; 
 
(c) Adoption of decisions executing the results of multilateral negotiations to determine and 
deepen the regional tariff preference ; 
 
(d) Adoption of decisions leading to give partial scope agreements a multilateral regional level ; 
 
(e) Acceptance of accession of new member countries ; 
 
(f) Regulation of the Treaty provisions ; 
 
(g) Establishment of the percentages of member countries' contributions to the budget of the 
Association ; 
 
(h) Adoption of corrective measures arising from the evaluations of the progress achieved 
within the integration process ; 
 
(i) Authorization of a term of less than five years regarding obligations, in case of Treaty 
denouncement ; 
 
(j) Adoption of guidelines to be followed by the Association bodies in their tasks ; and 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  (k) Establishment of basic rules governing the relations of the Association with other regional 
associations, international organizations or agencies.  
 
Abstention shall not mean a negative vote . Absence at the time of voting shall be interpreted 
as abstention.  
 
The Council may eliminate subjects from this list of exceptions by the affirmative vote of 
two thirds of the member countries, provided there is no negative vote . 
 
CHAPTER  VII 
 
General provisions  
 
Article 44 
 
Any advantages, favourable treatments, franchises, immunities and privileges which member 
countries apply to products originating from or bound to any other member country or non -member 
country, pursuant to decisions or agreements n ot foreseen in the present Treaty or the 
Cartagena  Agreement, shall be immediately and unconditionally extended to the other member 
countries . 
 
Article 45 
 
Any advantages, favourable treatments, franchises, immunities and privileges already granted 
or to b e granted under agreements between member countries or between these and third countries 
to facilitate border traffic shall be exclusively applicable to the countries which sign or may have 
signed them.  
 
Article 46 
 
As regards taxes, charges and other inte rnal duties, products originating from the territory of 
a member country shall be entitled within the territory of the other member countries to a treatment 
not less favourable than that applied to similar national products.  
 
Member countries shall adopt such steps as may be required to comply with the preceding 
provision, in accordance with their respective national constitutions . 
 
Article 47 
 
In the case of products included in the regional tariff preference or in regional or partial scope 
agreements which are not produced or will not be produced in substantial quantities in its territory, 
each member country shall endeavour to avoid that taxes or other internal measures applied result 
in annulment or reduction of any concession or advantage  obtained by any member country as a 
result of the respective negotiations.  
 
If a member country considers itself at a disadvantage by the measures contained in the 
preceding paragraph, it may resort to the Committee so that the situation raised may be exa mined 
and pertinent recommendations issued . 
 
Article 48 
 
Within the territory of other member countries, capitals originating from member countries 
shall have the right to a treatment not less favourable than that granted to capitals coming from 
any other non-member country, notwithstanding the provisions set out in agreements which might 
be concluded on this matter by member countries under the terms of the present Treaty . 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Article 49 
 
Member countries may establish supplementary rules on trade policy regu lating, among other 
matters, the application of non -tariff restrictions, a system of origin, the adoption of safeguard 
clauses, export promotion systems and border traffic . 
 
Article 50 
 
No provision under the present Treaty shall be interpreted as precludi ng the adoption and 
observance of measures regarding : 
 
(a) Protection of public morality ; 
 
(b) Implementation of security laws and regulations ; 
 
(c) Regulation of imports and exports of arms, munitions, and other war materials and, under 
exceptional circumstances, all other military equipment ; 
 
(d) Protection of human, animal and plant life and health ; 
 
(e) Imports and exports of gold and silver in bullion form ; 
 
(f) Protection of national treasures of artistic, historical or archaeological value ; and 
 
(g) Exportation, use and consumption of nuclear materials, radioactive products or any other 
material used for the development and exploitation of nuclear energy . 
 
Article 51 
 
Products imported and exported by any member country shall have the right to free transit 
throughout the territory of the other member countries, and be exclusively subject to payment of 
charges normally applicable for services rendered . 
 
CHAPTER  VIII 
 
Legal status, immunities and privileges  
 
Article 52 
 
The Association shall be endowed of complete legal status and specially of the capacity : 
 
(a) To contract ; 
 
(b) To acquire such movable and immovable property indispensable to carry out its objectives 
and to dispose of it ; 
 
(c) To file suits ; and 
 
(d) To keep funds in any currency and effect the necessary transfers . 
 
Article 53 
 
Representatives and other diplomatic officers of member countries accredited before the 
Association, as well as international officers and advisers of the Association, shall be end owed of 
diplomatic immunities and privileges and such other rights necessary for  exercising  their duties 
within the territory of member countries . 
 
Member countries hereby pledge themselves to draw up within the shortest possible term an 
agreement aimed at  regulating the contents of the preceding paragraph, wherein such privileges 
and immunities shall be defined . 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 16 - 
 
  The Association shall draw up an agreement with the Government of the Eastern Republic of 
Uruguay in order to determine the privileges and immuni ties to which the Association, its bodies and 
its international officers and advisers shall be entitled . 
 
Article 54 
 
The legal status of the Latin American Free Trade Association established by the Montevideo 
Treaty signed on 1 8 February 1 960 shall continue, in all its effects, within the Latin American 
Integration Association . Therefore, from the date when the present Treaty enters into force, the 
rights and obligations of the Latin American Free Trade Association shall correspond to the 
Latin Ameri can Integration Association . 
 
CHAPTER  IX 
 
Final provisions  
 
Article 55 
 
The present Treaty may not be signed with reservations, neither may these be received on 
the occasion of its ratification or accession . 
 
Article 56 
 
The present Treaty shall be ratified by the signatory countries at the earliest possible term . 
 
Article 57 
 
The present Treaty shall enter into force 30 days after the deposit of the third instrument of 
ratification as regards the first three countries to ratify it . Concerning the ot her signatories, it shall 
enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of the respective instrument of ratification 
and in the order in which such ratifications are deposited . 
 
Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Governme nt of the Eastern Republic of 
Uruguay, which shall report the date of deposit to the Governments of the signatory States of the 
present Treaty, as well as to those which have adhered thereto . 
 
The Government of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay shall notify the date of enforcement of 
the present Treaty to the Government of each one of the signatory States . 
 
Article 58 
 
Upon its entry into force, the present Treaty shall remain open for accession to those 
Latin American countries which may so request . Acceptance of such accessions shall be adopted by 
the Council . 
 
The Treaty shall enter into force for the adherent country 30 days after the date of its 
admission . 
 
Adherent countries shall on that date put in force the commitments resulting from the region al 
tariff preference as well as the regional scope agreements concluded prior to the date of their 
accession . 
 
Article 59 
 
The present Treaty provisions shall not affect the rights and obligations resulting from 
agreements signed by any of the signatory co untries prior to the date of their enforcement . 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Article 60 
 
The present Treaty provisions shall not affect the rights and obligations resulting from 
agreements signed by any of the signatory countries in the term between its signature and the date 
of its ratification . For countries which later become members of the Association, the provisions of 
this Article refer to agreements signed prior to their incorporation . 
 
However, each member country shall take the measures necessary to harmonize the 
provisio ns of the agreements in force with the objectives of the present Treaty . 
 
Article 61 
 
Member countries may introduce amendments or additions to the present Treaty . These shall 
be executed in protocols to enter into force upon ratification by all member countries and deposit of 
the respective instruments, subject to other criteria established thereof . 
 
Article 62 
 
The present Treaty shall have an indefinite duration . 
 
Article 63 
 
Any member country wishing to withdraw from the present Treaty shall report such intention 
to the other member countries during one of the Committee sessions, formally delivering the 
denouncement document to the Committee one year after the date of advice referred to above . 
Once such denouncement has been executed, all righ ts and obligations corresponding to its condition 
as a member country shall automatically cease for the denouncing Government . 
 
Notwithstanding the above, rights and obligations resulting from the regional tariff preference 
shall continue to be effective f or a period of five more years, except if, at the time of denouncement, 
the member countries agree to the contrary . The above term shall start as from the date the 
denouncement is executed . 
 
With reference to rights and obligations resulting from regional and partial scope agreements, 
the situation of the denouncing member country shall adjust to the specific rules which may have 
been established in each agreement . Should these rules not exist, the general provision contained 
in the previous paragraph of th e present Article shall apply . 
 
Article 64 
 
The present Treaty shall be known as the 1980 Montevideo Treaty . 
 
CHAPTER  X 
 
Transitional provisions  
 
Article 65 
 
Pending ratification of the present Treaty by all signatory countries, as from the date of its 
enforcement by ratification of the first three countries, signatory countries which have not yet ratified 
shall be subject, both as regards their reciprocal relations and their relations with ratifying signatory 
countries, to the provisions of the legal st ructure of the Montevideo Treaty dated 1 8 February 1 960, 
where appropriate, and specially to the resolutions adopted at the Meeting of the Council of Ministers 
of the Latin American Free Trade Association held on 1 2 August 1 980. 
 
These provisions shall no longer be applied to relations between signatory countries which 
have ratified the present Treaty and those which have not done so, as from one year following the 
date of its enforcement . 
 WT/COMTD/RTA15/N/1  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Article 66 
 
The bodies of the Latin American Free Trade Association  established by the Montevideo Treaty 
dated 1 8 February 1 960 shall cease to exist as from the date of enforcement of the present Treaty . 
 
Article 67 
 
Non-ratifying signatory countries may participate in the Association bodies with the right to 
speak and vo te whenever possible or of interest to them as long as ratification is pending, or until 
expiry of the term established in the second paragraph of Article 65 . 
 
Article 68 
 
Signatory countries ratifying the present Treaty after its enforcement shall be subject to all 
provisions adopted prior to that moment by the Association bodies . 
 
Article 69 
 
The resolutions adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Latin American Free Trade 
Association at its Meeting of 1 2 August 1 980 shall be incorporated to the le gal framework of the 
present Treaty upon its entry into force . 
 
DONE at the city of Montevideo, on the twelfth day of the month of August of the year 
nineteen  hundred  and eighty, in an original in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, both texts 
being equally valid . The Government of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay shall act as depositary of 
the present Treaty and forward duly authenticated copy of same to the Governme nts of the other 
signatory and adherent countries . 
 
For the Government of the Argentine Republic : 
Carlos Washington Pastor  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Bolivia : 
Javier Cerruto Calderón  
 
For the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil : 
Ramiro Saraiva Guerreiro  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Chile:  
René Rojas Galdames  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Colombia : 
Diego Uribe Vargas  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Ecuador : 
Germánico Salgado  
 
For the Government of the United Mexican States : 
Jorge de la Vega Domínguez  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Paraguay : 
Alberto Nogués  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Peru : 
Javier Arias Stella  
 
For the Government of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay : 
Adolfo Folle Martínez  
 
For the Government of the Republic of Venezuela : 
Oswaldo Paéz Puma r 
 
__________