§ Baroness Hooperasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community. [HL2791]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Government support the strategic objective of an association agreement, to include a free trade agreement, between the European Union and the Andean Community. The association agreement would build upon the outcome of the Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks.
The Government believe that an association agreement would both benefit the flow of trade and investment between the parties, and support the Andean government's ongoing efforts towards political and economic reform.
As a first step towards an agreement the Government support the opening of an initial phase of discussion, to begin as soon as possible, aimed at assisting the Andean Community in deepening its regional integration.