Quito, June 13, 2006
 

Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso
President of the European Commission
Brussels.- 
 

Dear Mr. President: 

We are writing to express our satisfaction over the commitments made at the Fourth Latin America and the Caribbean – European Union Summit this past May 12 in Vienna and at the meeting of Andean Community Presidents with the European Union Troika, also held in Vienna on May 13, to undertake a process in 2006, leading to the start of negotiations of an Association Agreement between our regions that would include the political dialogue, cooperation programs and a trade agreement. 

In the light of those commitments, the Andean Community Member Countries, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, embarked upon a period of reflection that included a Special Meeting of the Andean Council of Presidents on June 13, 2006 in Quito.  Following a fruitful exchange of ideas at that Meeting, we agreed to consolidate our integration process and to convert the Andean Community into an instrument to facilitate our fuller and improved participation in the world economy, with a view to attaining the final objective of the Cartagena Agreement: sustained improvement of our nations’ wellbeing.     

In this connection, we have the pleasure of informing you that the Andean countries have decided to boost the launching of negotiations to sign an Association Agreement between the Andean Community and the European Union, as agreed at the Vienna Summit. 

We would therefore like to request the necessary meetings among the authorities of the two blocs over the next few days, for the presentation and discussion of proposals for the Association Agreement, so that bases for negotiations that will allow for the full and beneficial participation of all parties may be clarified and defined by this coming July 20 at the latest.   

We avail ourselves of the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of our highest consideration and personal esteem.