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Summary of Treaty


GENERAL DATA
Official Title Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part - Joint Declaration on political dialogue between the European Union and Mercosur
Type of Agreement Multilateral
Place of Signature Madrid
Date of Signature 15/12/1995
Date of Entry Into Force 01/07/1999
Duration Indefinite
Objective of Agreement To strengthen existing relations between the Parties and to prepare the conditions enabling the creation of an interregional association which will cover trade and economic matters, cooperation regarding integration and other fields of mutual interest in order to bring about closer relations between the Parties and their respective institutions.
Remarks Joint agreement (due notably to the fact that the political declaration was inserted in the agreement).
This first agreement with this group of countries does not alter undertakings made in the bilateral agreements already in force.
It is designed to strengthen existing relations between the two entities on the basis of reciprocity and community of interests with the prospect of future establishment of an interregional free trade association of an economic and political nature.
Although 'two-stage approach', the first stage is nevertheless already very complete and structured as regards the sectors and means of cooperation.
Respect for democratic principles and human rights is an essential element (Article 1), reaffirmed also in the article on the implementation of obligations (Article 35).
The future developments clause is in Article 23.
The sectors include: trade, including all cooperation on standards, customs, statistics and intellectual property; economic cooperation, with the emphasis on industrial, energy, scientific and technological cooperation, telecommunications, the environment and investment promotion.
The framework for strengthening integration and interinstitutional cooperation augments the arrangements, which embrace cultural activities, information and the fight against drug trafficking.
An Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Mercosur (OJ L 69/96) established the provisional application of the trade aspects (Articles 4-8) and the advance functioning of the Joint Cooperation Committee.
OJ Reference L69, 19/03/1996, p. 4
Nature of Agreement Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement
Depositary Council of the European Union
Contracting Parties European Community, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mercado Común Suramericano, Netherlands, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uruguay
Authentic Texts Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
Subject Matters EC cooperation agreement
External Relations
Mercosur
economic cooperation
framework agreement
liberalisation of trade
trade cooperation
Clause(s)
Duration (Conditions) Article 34 Agreement
Entry into force conditions Article 34 Agreement
Evolutionary clause Article 23 Agreement
Human rights Article 1 Agreement
Human rights - Suspension Article 35 Agreement
Territorial application Article 33 Agreement
Management Joint Subcommittee on Trade
Joint Cooperation Committee
Cooperation Council
EU PARTICIPATION
Date of Signature 15/12/1995
Conclusion Date 22/03/1999
Ratification Status NOT
Conclusion Decision Council Decision of 22 March 1999 concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the interregional framework cooperation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part; OJ L112 of 29/04/1999, p.65
Date of Entry Into Force 01/07/1999
Competence Mixed
Legal Basis Treaty EC: Article 113, 130y
General Comments Framework Agreement ; Comprehensive Agreement



Last Update :   12/02/2013