Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 31

FRAMEWORK COOPERATION AGREEMENT

between the European Economic Community and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador,

Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

of the one part,

THE GOVERNMENTS OF COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA
AND PANAMA,

of the other part,

CONSIDERING the traditional links of friendship between the Member States of the European Economic
Community ( hereinafter referred to as ' the Community ') and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama ( hereinafter referred to as ' Central America '), which over the
past nine years have benefited from the institution of a productive political dialogue and economic
cooperation that it is important to consolidate,

RECALLING the significant contribution made to Central America by the implementation of the Cooperation
Agreement signed in Luxembourg on 12 November 1985 and of the final communiqués issued at ministerial
meetings between the Community and Central America,

REAFFIRMING their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, the precepts of
international law, democratic values and respect for human rights, and stressing the importance of the
resolution adopted by the Council and the Member States of the Community on 28 November 1991 on
human rights, democracy and development,

HIGHLIGHTING the progress made as regards peace and democracy in the Central American countries
through the process of dialogue and national reconciliation instigated in the region, and emphasizing also the
significant efforts made as regards respect for human rights,

RECOGNIZING that development is a fundamental condition for the consolidation of peace and democracy,
and a basic requirement for the promotion of the economic and social rights of the Central American
peoples,

RECOGNIZING the importance attached by the Community to the development of trade and economic
cooperation with developing countries, and mindful of its guidelines and resolutions concerning cooperations
with Asian and Latin American developing countries,

MINDFUL of the positive effects of the process of modernization, economic reform and trade liberalization
introduced by the Central American governments, and of the need to accompany these reforms with the
promotion of social rights in the most disadvantaged sectors of the population, and convinced that
Community cooperation has a significant part to play in the eradication of the problems of extreme poverty
afflicting the region,

AWARE of the importance of helping Central America become more fully integrated into the world

economy,

CONVINCED of the importance of free international trade, the principles of the multilateral trade system,
greater investment and respect for intellectual property rights,

EMPHASIZING the particular importance the parties attach to greater protection of the environment and to
the objective of sustainable development,

MINDFUL of the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation in the struggle to confront the problems
caused by, and related to, drugs,

AWARE of the need to reaffirm the importance of the role of women as a key element in the development

process,

HIGHLIGHTING the progress made by the Sistema de la Integraciôn Centroamericana ( SICA — Central
American Integration System ) owing to the changes in the Charter of the Organization de Estados
Centroamericanos ( Odeca — Organization of Central American States ) introduced by the Tegucigalpa
Protocol, and recognizing that Central America is a region made up of developing countries,

CONVINCED of the need to institute a new phase of cooperation between the two regions, in line with the
conclusion of the San José VIII Ministerial Conference, and recognizing that the fundamental objective of the
Agreement is to consolidate, deepen and diversify relations between the two parties,

No C 77 / 32 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 93

HAVE DECIDED to conclude this Agreement and to this end have designated as their plenipotentiaries :

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA :

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR :

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA :

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS :

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA :

WHO, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS :

Article 1 the widest possible scope, from which no field of activivty
is excluded in principle . The aims of such cooperation

Democratic basis for coopération shall be in particular to :

Cooperation ties between the Community and Central
America and this Agreement in its entirety shall be based
on respect for democratic principles and human rights,
which inspire the domestic and external policies of both
the Community and Central America and which constitute
an essential component of this Agreement .

Article 2

Strengthening of coopération

The Contracting Parties undertake to strengthen and
diversify their cooperation in all areas of common interest,
particularly the economic, financial, commercial, social,
science and technology and environmental sectors, bearing
in mind the lesser degree of development of the Central
American countries . They also undertake to promote the
intensification and consolidation of the Central American

Integration System .

In view of the special status of the Central American
countries as developing countries, the Community shall
implement this cooperation in the manner most favourable
to those countries .

Article 3

Economie coopération

1 . The Contracting Parties, taking into account their
mutual interest and medium - and long-term economic
objectives, undertake to establish economic cooperation of

( a ) strengthen and diversify generally their economic
links ;

( b ) contribute to the sustainable development of both

Parties ' economies and standards of living, with due
regard for the protection of the environment ;

( c ) encourage the expansion of trade with a view to
promoting diversification, opening up new markets
and improving access to them ;

( d ) encourage the flow of investment and reinforce
protection of investment ;

( e ) encourage transfers of technology and cooperation
among firms, particularly small businesses,
consolidating the scientific base and stimulating the
innovatory skills of both parties ;

( f ) establish conditions conducive to job creation and
improved productivity ;

( g ) encourage measures promoting rural development and
the improvement of urban living conditions ;

( h ) support the efforts of the Central American countries

to set in train policies designed to modernize and
develop the agricultural and industrial sectors ;

( i ) support the Central American integration process ;

( j ) exchange information on statistics and methodology .

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 33

2 . Without excluding any area of activity from the
outset, the Contracting Parties shall, in their mutual
interest and with regard to their respective competences
and capacities, determine by common agreement the
spheres to be covered by economic cooperation .
Cooperation shall centre particularly on the following :

( a ) modernization of the productive sector ( industry,
agro-industry, agriculture, livestock farming,
fisheries, fish farming, mining, forestry );

( b ) energy planning and efficient use of energy ;

( c ) management and protection of natural resources and
the environment ;

( d ) technology transfers ;

( e ) science and technology ;

( f ) intellectual property, including industrial property ;

( g ) standards and quality criteria ;

( h ) services, including financial services, tourism,
transport, telecommunications, telematics and
information technology ;

( i ) exchanges of information on monetary matters and
the harmonization of macro-economic policies with a
view to strengthening regional integration ;

( j ) technical regulations on health, plant health and
animal health ;

( k ) consolidation of regional economic cooperation
organizations and agencies ;

( 1 ) regional development and frontier integration .

3 . In the interests of attaining the objectives of
economic cooperation, the Contracting Parties shall, each
in accordance with its laws, endeavour to promote
activities including the following :

( a ) provisions of technical assistance, notably by
seconding consultants and carrying out specific studies
in the designated fields of cooperation ;

( b ) creation of joint ventures, licensing agreements,
technological know-how transfers, subcontracting,
and other such activities ;

( c ) increased contact between the two Parties '
businessmen through conferences, seminars, trade and
industry missions designed to boost trade and
investment flows, trade talks and general and
specialized trade fairs ;

( d ) joint participation of Community firms in fairs and

exhibitions held in Central American countries, and

vice versa ;

( e ) technical and scientific research projects and
exchanges of experts ;

( f ) exchanges of information concerning the areas of
cooperation covered by this Agreement, notably as
regards access to existing or future databases ;

( g ) setting up of business networks, particularly in the
industrial sector .

Article 4

Most-favoured-nation treatment

The Contracting Parties shall grant each other
most - favoured-nation treatment in trade, in accordance
with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
( GATT ).

Article S

Trade coopération

1 . The Contracting Parties undertake to develop and
broaden trade to the highest possible degree, taking into
account the economic situation of each of the Parties and

facilitating trade transactions between them as far as
possible .

2 . To that end, the Parties shall endeavour to find
methods of reducing and eliminating the obstacle
hindering the development of trade, notably non-tariff
barriers, taking account of work already accomplished in
this field by international organizations .

3 . The Contracting Parties shall, where appropriate,
assess the possibility of setting up mutual consultation
procedures .

Article 6

Means of achieving coopération in trade

In the interests of bringing about more active cooperation
in trade, the Contracting Parties shall take measures aimed

at :

— promoting meetings, exchanges and contacts between

business people from each of the Parties, with the aim
of identifying goods suitable for sale on the market of
the other Party,

— facilitating cooperation between their customs services,

in particular as regards vocational training, the
simplification of procedures and the detection of
customs offences,

— encouraging and supporting trade promotion activities

such as seminars, symposia, trade and industrial fairs
and exhibitions, trade and other visits, business weeks,
market studies and other activities,

— providing support for their own organizations and

firms, to enable them to engage in activities which are
of benefit to both sides,

— making allowance for each other's interests with regard

to market access for commodities, semi-finished and
manufactured goods and with regard to the

No C 77 / 34 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 93

stabilization of world commodity markets, in
accordance with the aims agreed within the
appropriate international organizations ;

— examining ways and means of facilitating trade and

eliminating barriers to trade, taking into consideration
the work of international organizations .

Article 7

Industrial coopération

( b ) training businessmen with a view to setting up
investment projects ;

( c ) technical assistance for joint investment ;

( d ) measures under the European Community Investment

Partners ( ECIP ) programme .

3 . Cooperation in this field may involve public, private,
national or multilateral bodies, including regional financial
institutions, from both Central America and the
Community .

and 1 . diversification The Contracting of Parties the Central shall promote American the countries expansion ' Article 9
production base in the industrial and service sectors,
particularly encouraging cooperation activities involving Cooperation between
the small and medium-sized enterprises of both parties
designed to facilitate the access of such enterprises to The Contracting Parties shall
sources of capital, markets and appropriate technology, according to their needs and
and also fostering joint ventures . respective programmes and

Cooperation between financial institutions

                                

2 . To that end, with the limits of their responsibilities,
the Parties shall encourage projects and operations
promoting :

— the consolidation and extension of the networks

established for the purposes of cooperation,

— the broad use of Community promotional instruments

such as ' European Community Investment Partners '
( ECIP ), inter alia through greater use of Central
American financial institutions,

— cooperation between firms, such as joint ventures,

subcontracting, transfers of technology, licensing,
applied research and franchising .

Article 8

Investment

1 . The Contracting Parties agree :

— to promote, so far as their powers, rules and
regulations and policies permit, an increase in mutually
beneficial investment,

— to endeavour to improve the climate for such
investment by encouraging investment promotion and
protection agreements between the Community's
Member States and the Central American countries .

2 . In pursuit of these objectives, the Contracting Parties
agree to take measures to help promote and attract
investment, with a view to identifying new opportunities
for such investment and encouraging the implementation
thereof .

These measures shall include :

( a ) seminars, exhibitions and business missions ;

— exchanges of information and experience in fields of

mutual interest ( inter alia by means of seminars,
conferences and workshops ),

— exchanges of consultants,

— technical assistance,

— exchanges of information in the fields of statistics and

methodology .

Article 10

Science and technology

1 . In accordance with their mutual interest and the

aims of their policies on science, the Contracting Parties
undertake to promote cooperation in science and

technology aimed in particular at :

— encouraging exchanges of Community and Central

American scientists,

— establishing closer links between their scientific and

technological communities, with particular reference to
existing research centres on both sides,

— promoting mutually beneficial transfers of technology,

— implementing measures with a view to achieving the

goals of research programmes that are of interest to
both regions,

— building up the research capacity of the Central

American countries, promoting projects involving
scientific and technical research centres and stimulating
technical and applied research,

— creating opportunities for economic, industrial and

trade cooperation .

The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to foster,
according to their needs and within the framework of their
respective programmes and legislation, cooperation
between financial institutions in the form of :

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 35

2 . Without excluding any sector from the outset, the
Parties agree that they shall jointly identify the areas for
developing their scientific and technological cooperation,
taking into account the development needs of the Central
American productive sectors .

These areas shall include :

— development and management of science and
technology policies,

— protection and improvement of the environment,
particularly the protection and renewal of rainforest
and borderline agricultural areas,

— renewable energy and rational use of natural

resources,

— tropical agriculture, agro-industry and fisheries,

— health, nutrition and social welfare in general, and

tropical diseases in particular,

— areas such as housing, urban development, planning

and development, transport and communication,

— regional integration and cooperation in science and

technology,

— biotechnology applied to medicine and agriculture,

— taxonomic studies of indigenous flora and fauna,

leading to the creation of a biological index with
applications in medicine, agriculture and other

sectors .

3 . In order to achieve their chosen objectives, the
Contracting Parties shall encourage and foster measures
including :

— joint scientific and technological research projects
involving private and public sector research centres and
other qualified institutions on both sides,

— training at the appropriate level for Central American

research and development professionals, notably
through seminars, courses and conferences in
European centres, exchanges of experts and
technicians, awards for specialist studies and in-house
training,

— exchanges of scientific information, through the joint

organization of seminars, workshops, working
meetings and conferences attended by top-level
scientists from both Contracting Parties,

— distribution of scientific and technological information

and know-how .

Article 11

Standards

Without prejudice to their international obligations, within
the scope of their responsibilities, and in accordance with

their laws, the Contracting Parties shall take steps to
reduce differences in respect of weights and measures,
standardization and certification by promoting the use of
compatible systems of standards and certifications . To
that end, they shall encourage the following in
particular :

— links between experts and technical assistance to
facilitate exchanges of information and studies on
weights and measures, standards, quality control,
promotion and certification, and to promote the
development of technical assistance in this field,

— exchanges and contacts between bodies and institutions

specializing in these fields,

— measures aimed at achieving mutual recognition of

systems and quality certification,

— consultations in the fields concerned .

Article 12

Intellectual and industrial property

1 . The Contracting Parties undertake, in line with their
respective legislation, regulations and policies, to provide
suitable and effective protection for intellectual and
industrial property rights, including geographical
designations and marks of origin, and upgrading that
protection where appropriate .

2 . The Central American countries shall, in so far as
they are able, subscribe to the international conventions
on intellectual and industrial property .

Article 13

Mining

The Contracting Parties agree to promote cooperation to
develop the mining sector, with due regard for the
environmental issues involved .

This cooperation shall primarily take the form of action
designed to :

— encourage the involvement of enterprises of both

Parties in the exploration, mining and marketing of
their mineral resources,

— set up activities to encourage small and medium-sized

enterprises operating in the mining sector,

— exchange experience and technology relating to mining

prospecting, exploration and exploitation, and
undertake joint research in order to increase the
opportunities for technological development .

No C 77 / 36 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 93

Article 14

Energy

The Contracting Parties recognize the importance of the
energy sector for economic and social development, and
are prepared to step up their cooperation in this field,
notably as regards planning, conservation, the efficient use
of energy, and the search for new sources of energy . This
improved cooperation will also take environmental
implications into consideration .

— rural and mobile telephone systems, earth and
space-based telecommunications such as transport
networks, satellites, fibre optics, Integrated Service
Digital Network ( ISDN ) and data transmission,

— electronics and microelectronics,

— computerization and automation,

— research and development in new information
technologies and telecommunications .

2 . This cooperation shall take place in particular

To this ends, the Parties agree to promote : through :

— joint studies and research, — promotion of joint projects relating to research and

development, the establishment of information
— assessment of the potential of alternative energy networks and databanks, facilitation of access to
sources and the use of energy-saving technology in existing databanks and information networks,
manufacturing processes, — collaboration between experts,

— ongoing contacts between energy planners,

— the execution of joint programmes and projects in this

field .

— expert assessment, studies and exchanges of
information,

— training of scientists and technicians,

— formulation and implementation of specific projects of

Article 1 S mutual benefit .

Transport Article 17

Recognizing the importance of transport for economic
development and the intensification of trade, the
Contracting Parties shall adopt the necessary measures to
implement cooperation in respect of all types of

transport .

Cooperation shall centre on the following :

— exchanges of information on the Parties ' respective

transport policies and on subjects of common
interest,

— economic, legal and technical programmes aimed at

economic operators and those in charge of
public-sector departments,

— assistance, particularly in connection with
infrastructure modernization programmes .

Tourism

Within the bounds of their laws, the Contracting Parties
shall contribute to cooperation on tourism in the Central
American countries, which is to be achieved through
spécifié measures including :

— exchanges of information and studies on opportunities

for tourist development,

— assistance in statistics and data processing,

— training,

— the organization of events and participation in fairs

promoting the Central American region,

— the promotion of investment and joint investment in

order to expand tourist travel .

Article 16 Article 18

Information technology and telecommunications Environment

1 . The Contracting Parties recognize that information
technology and telecommunications are vital to the
development of the economy and society and declare
themselves prepared to promote cooperation in fields of
common interest, chiefly in respect of the following :

— promotion of investment and joint investment,

— standardization, testing and certification,

The Contracting Parties affirm that they wish to cooperate
closely in the protection, conservation, improvement and
management of the environment, focusing on water, soil
and air pollution, erosion, desertification, deforestation,
over-exploitation of natural resources, urban
concentration and the productive conservation of wild and
aquatic flora and fauna, protecting them from
non-rational exploitation and commercialization,
particularly where protected species are concerned .

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 37

To these ends, the Parties shall endeavour to work This cooperation shall be undertaken on the greatest scale
together on measures targeting : possible, in close cooperation with the Member States .

— the creation and improvement of public and private

sector environmental bodies in Central America,

— the promotion of environmental education at all levels

and the widespread dissemination of information
concerning, and solutions to, environmental problems
with a view to increasing public awareness,

— the implementation of studies, projects and technical

assistance,

— the organization of meetings, seminars, workshops,

conferences, exchanges of technicians and officials
specialized in this field,

— exchanges of information and experience,

— research and studies paving the way for joint
programmes and projects aimed at disaster control and
prevention,

— the promotion of the development and alternative

economic use of protected areas, with due regard for
the specific features of the areas concerned .

Article 21

Agriculture, forestry and rural areas

The Contracting Parties agree to establish cooperation in
the areas of crop and livestock farming, forestry,
agro-industry, agri-foodstuffs and tropical products, with
a view to raising development levels .

To these ends, in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill and
taking into account the laws of both Parties on such
issues, the Contracting Parties shall examine :

— opportunities for developing trade in crop, livestock,

forestry, agro-industrial and tropical products ;

— health, plant health, animal health and environmental

measures, with a view to eliminating any obstacles
there might be to trade in this field .

Similarly, and with due respect for the principles of
sustainable development, the Contracting Parties shall
endeavour to promote cooperation concerning :

— the development of agriculture,

Article 19

— the protection and sustainable development of the

Biological diversity

The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to establish
cooperation aimed at preserving biological diversity . Such
cooperation should be based on three criteria, namely :
socio-economic utility, ecological conservation and the
interests of indigenous peoples .

following resources : soil, water, woodland, flora and
fauna,

— the agricultural and rural environments,

— training in fields such as new techniques in crop and

livestock farming and forestry and business

management ;

— exchanges between technicians, producers and
institutions from both sides, with a view to promoting
Article 20 and facilitating trade and investment projects,

— agricultural research,
Development coopération

— the upgrading and interfacing of agricultural and

With a view to increasing the effectiveness of cooperation
in the areas referred to below, the Parties shall seek to
establish a multiannual programme . Furthermore, the
Parties recognize that the desire to contribute to better
managed and sustainable development involves giving
priority to development projects designed to meet the vital
needs of the poorest of the Central American people, and
to the role of women in the development process . The
Parties also recognize that development and environmental
problems are closely linked .

Cooperation in this field shall involve measures designed
to act against extreme poverty, soften the impact of the
structural adjustment programmes and encourage job
creation . Priority shall be given to measures having an
impact on the restructuring of the economy and taking
into account macro-economic and sectoral problems, and
problems linked to the institutional development process .

forestry databanks and statistics .

Article 22

Fisheries

The Contracting Parties agree to intensify and develop
cooperation in the field of fisheries, particularly as regards
the evaluation of resources, artisanal fishing and
aquaculture, inter alia by :

— drawing up and undertaking special programmes and

projects of an economic, commercial, scientific or
technical nature,

— encouraging the private sector to participate in
developing this sector .

No C 77 / 38 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 93

Article 23

Health

The Contracting Parties agree to cooperate to improve
public health, concentrating on the needs of the most
disadvantaged sections of the population, focusing
primarily on the groups at risk .

To these ends they shall seek to develop joint research,
technology transfers, exchanges of experience and
technical assistance, in particular with regard to :

— health service management and administration,
particularly in respect of primary healthcare,

— the development of vocational training and education

programmes in the health sector,

— programmes and projects for the improvement of

sanitary conditions ( with particular regard to the
prevention of endemic diseases and infections ) and
social welfare in urban und rural areas,

— training for basic health workers,

— the treatment and prevention of acquired immune

deficiency syndrome ( AIDS ),

— mother - and-child healthcare and family planning,

— prévention and treatment of choiera .

Article 24

Article 25

Combating drug abuse

Within the scope of their powers, the Contracting Parties
undertake to coordinate and step up their efforts to
prevent, reduce and eradicate the illegal production,
distribution and consumption of drugs, narcotics and
psychotropic substances, taking account of the work
carried out in this field by regional and international
bodies .

This cooperation, with the support of agencies specialized
in this field, shall include :

— training, education treatment, detoxification and
rehabilitation projects of addicts,

— illicit drug use prévention programmes,

— research programmes,

— measures designed to encourage alternative
development, including alternative crops,

— exchanges of relevant information, including
information concerning measures relating to money
laundering,

— programmes to monitor trade in precursors, chemical

products and psychotropic substances .

The Contracting Parties may by mutual agreement extend
their cooperation to other areas .

Social development Article 26

1 . The Contracting Parties shall, to the extent of their
powers, and in line with their respective legislation,
establish wide-ranging cooperation to further social
development, particularly by improving the living
conditions of the poorest sections of the populations in the
Central American countries .

2 . The measures and operations to be undertaken with
these aims in mind include support, essentially in the form
of technical assistance, in the following fields :

— protection of children,

— promotion of the role of women,

— support for the process of bringing the informal

economy into the official economy,

— education and assistance programmes for young people

in particularly difficult circumstances,

— measures to soften the social impact of structural

adjustment programmes, notably through projects
capable of stimulating job creation,

Assistance for refugees, displaced persons and returnees

The Parties reiterate their wish to continue cooperating on
a broad scale to facilitate the reintegration of Central
American refugees, displaced persons and returnees into
productive society . This cooperation shall focus on :

— support for the preparation of cooperation, activity in

collaboration with the recipient countries and the
International Conference on Central American

Refugees ( Cirefca ),

— implementation of specific projects with partners
specialized in this field : UNHCR, government bodies
in the recipient countries and NGOs of recognized
experience from both sides .

Article 27

Consolidation of the democratic process in Central
America

— social services administration, The institutions Contracting and Parties the democratic agree to support process democratic in Central

— the improvement of living conditions and hygiene in America, particularly with regard to the organization and

urban and rural areas . monitoring of free and transparent elections, the

— social services administration,

urban and rural areas .

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 39

consolidation of the rule of law, respect for human rights
and the participation of the entire population without
discrimination in political and social life .

To achieve these ends, the Parties shall undertake the
following :

— implementation of the multiannual programme for the

promotion of human rights approved in Lisbon in
February 1992,

— preparation and implementation of other specific
projects designed to support democratic institutions in
Central America .

Artide 28

Régional integration and coopération

Community and of Central America and to encourage the
Community Member States and Central American
countries to strengthen their cultural ties .

In particular, these measures shall take the form of :

— exchanges of information on issues of common interest

in the fields of culture and information,

— organization of cultural events and exchanges,
particularly exchanges at university level,

— preparatory studies and technical assistance for the

preservation of the cultural heritage .

Article 31

Training

The Contracting Parties shall take steps to encourage the
regional integration of the Central American countries . With a view to improving training in Central America, the
Parties shall strengthen their cooperation in areas of
mutual interest, taking account of new technologies in the
Priority shall be given to : field .

— technical assistance with the technical and practical

aspects of integration,

— promotion of subregional and intraregional trade,

— development of régional environmental coopération,

— upgrading regional institutions and supporting the

pursuit of joint policies and activities,

— encouraging the development of regional
communications .

Article 29

Government

The Contracting Parties agree to cooperate in matters of
administration and institutional organization, including
the organization of the legal system .

To this end, they shall take steps aimed at encouraging
exchanges of information and training courses for national
government officials and employees with a view to
increasing government efficiency .

Cooperation in this field shall make use of existing
institutions in both regions .

Article 30

Information, communication and culture

The Contracting Parties agree to act jointly in the fields of
information and communication in order to promote
understanding of the nature and aims of the European

Such cooperation could take the form of :

— steps to improve the training of executives, technicians,

professionals and skilled workers,

— measures with a significant knock-on effect, training

for instructors and technical executives who are

already in positions of responsibility in public and
private-sector enterprises, government, the public
service sector and economic administration,

— specific programmes for exchanges of consultants,

know-how and technology between training
institutions in the European and Central American
countries, with particular emphasis on the technical,
scientific and vocational sectors,

— literacy programmes linked to health and social
development projects .

Article 32

Resources for undertaking cooperation

1 . The Contracting Parties undertake to make
available, within the limits of their abilities and through
their own channels, the requisite resources, including
financial resources, for achieving the objectives of the
cooperation provided for in this Agreement . In this
connection, wherever possible multiannual programming
will be carried out and priorities determined, taking
account of needs and of the Central American countries '

level of development .

2 . In order to facilitate the implementation of the
cooperation measures specified in this Agreement, the

No C 77 / 40 Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 3 . 93

Central American Countries shall grant Community experts
the guarantees and facilities they require to carry out their
tasks .

Article 35

Territorial application

This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the

Article 33 territories in which the Treaty establishing the European

Economic Community is applied and under the conditions

Joint Committee laid down in that Treaty and, on the other, to the territory

of the six Central American countries party to this
1 . The Contracting Parties agree to retain the Joint Agreement .
Committee established pursuant to the 1985 Cooperation
Agreement . The Joint Committee shall be made up of

Article 36

representatives of the Community and of the Central
American countries, assisted by representatives of the

Annexes

Central American integration bodies .

2 . The Joint Committee shall : The Annexes shall form an integral part of this
Agreement .

— see to the proper functioning of the Agreement,

Article 33

Joint Committee

Article 36

Annexes

— coordinate and assign priority to activities, projects

and specific operations in relation to the aims of this
Agreement and propose means of implementing them,

— study and follow up the development of trade and

cooperation between the Parties,

— make any recommendations required to promote the

expansion of trade and intensify and diversify
cooperation,

— seek appropriate methods of forestalling problems

which might arise in the interpretation and application
of this Agreement .

3 . The agendas for Joint Committee meetings shall be
set by mutual agreement . The Committee shall itself
establish provisions concerning the frequency and location
of its meetings, chairmanship, and other issues that may
arise, and shall, where necessary, set up subcommittees .

Article 37

Entry into force and tacit renewal

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of
the month following the date on which the Contracting
Parties have notified each other of the completion of the
procedures necessary for this purpose . It shall remain in
force for a period of five years . It shall be renewed tacitly
for successive one-year periods unless one of the
Contracting Parties denounces it to the other Party in
writing six months before the date of expiry .

Denouncement by one of the Central American countries
shall not affect the validity of the Agreement in respect of
the other Central American countries .

Article 38

Authentic texts

Article 34

This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish,
Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian,

Other agreements Portuguese and Spanish languages, each text being equally

authentic .
1 . Without prejudice to the provisions of the Treaties
establishing the European Communities, neither this
Agreement nor any action taken under it shall in any way Article 39
affect the powers of the Member States of the
Communities to undertake bilateral activities with the Future developments
Central American countries in the field of economic
cooperation or where appropriate to conclude new 1 . The Contracting Parties may by mutual consent
economic cooperation agreements with the Central develop and improve this Agreement with a view to
American countries .

Other agreements

Article 39

Future developments

2 . Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 concerning
economic cooperation, the provisions of this Agreement
shall replace the provisions of the agreements concluded
between the Member States of the Communities and the

Central American countries where such provisions are
either incompatible with or identical to the provisions of
this Agreement .

1 . The Contracting Parties may by mutual consent
develop and improve this Agreement with a view to
enhancing the levels of cooperation and supplementing
them by means of agreements on specific sectors or
activities .

2 . With regard to the implementation of this
Agreement, either of the Contracting Parties may put
forward suggestions for widening the scope of
cooperation, taking into account the experience gained in
its application .

18 . 3 . 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77 / 41

ANNEX

Exchange of letters on maritime transport

Letter No 1

Sir,

We should be obliged if you would confirm the following :

' When the Agreement on cooperation between the European Community and the Republics of Costa Rica,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama was signed, the Parties undertook to address
in the appropriate manner issues relating to the operation of shipping, particularly where the development
of trade might be hindered . Mutually satisfactory solutions on shipping will be sought, while the principle
of free and fair competition on a commercial basis is observed .

It has likewise been agreed that such issues should also be discussed by the Joint Committee .'

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration .

On behalf of the Council
of the European Communities

Letter No 2

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter and confirm the following :

' When the Agreement on cooperation between the European Community and the Republics of Costa Rica,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama was signed, the Parties undertook to address
in the appropriate manner issues relating to the operation of shipping, particularly where the development
of trade might be hindered . Mutually satisfactory solutions on shipping will be sought, while the principle
of free and fair competition on a commercial basis is observed .

It has likewise been agreed that such issues should also be discussed by the Joint Committee .'

Please accept, Sirs, the assurance of my highest consideration .

For Central America