The Andean Community has been consolidated through the preservation of the Andean legal system and the harmony prevailing in trade negotiations with third party countries. Community laws must prevail in the reciprocal relations between the member countries when facing commitments with third parties and an agreement has been reached for the exchange of information and consultation when conducting negotiations, to safeguard the interests of the Andean partners.
 

A landmark has been established in Andean political integration, with the approval of the Guidelines for the Andean Common Policy on External Security, within the framework of democratic and cooperative concepts, rather than elements which are offensive to security, likely to bring down military expenditure. The CAN thus becomes the only integration body, in addition to the EU, to have a common policy on security.
 

The Establishment of an Andean Peace Area, which will turn the Andean Sub-Region into a land which is free of mass destruction weapons, lending the Andean Community a tool to consolidate the preservation of peace and pacific co-existence of the Andean peoples, coupling to a South American peace area.
 

A decision was made to expand Andean trade integration, based on the obvious wishes of the Andean Presidents to materialize the Andean Free Trade area and move towards a common market, including the definition of the Common External Duty by May 10, 2005·
 

An important step has been taken as far as Andean financial integration is concerned, with the approval of tax harmonization for levies such as Value Added Tax and Excise Tax, the only such measure in this hemisphere, just comparable with those implemented in the European Union. These Decisions strengthen the building of a single, harmonized market.
 

An Andean Strategy for Disaster Prevention and Relief has been adopted, to prevent the damages suffered by the Andean communities affected by natural disasters. The strategy is to be jointly implemented by the civil defense organizations of the Andean countries.
 

It was decided to tighten the bonds existing between the CAN and the rest of Latin American countries in all areas, confirming Latin American integration as one of the chief objectives of the Cartagena Agreement. Priority has been given to the links with MERCOSUR, with the view of materializing South American integration, and it was agreed to set forth efforts for an association with Mexico and a free trade agreement with Central America, as well as the participation of the CAN in the infrastructure projects envisioned in the Puebla - Panama Plan for incorporation to the South American IIRSA program.
 

There was a restatement of the wish to act as a block in the negotiations with the European Union to secure an Association Agreement that will include a Free Trade Treaty and ensure the extension of the Generalized Preference - SGP Drug System for 10 more years.
 

The integration culture was reinforced with the la incorporation of the integration subject in the school curricula and educational programs of Andean countries.
 

A decision was made to encourage Andean integration by adopting a new Strategic Design, with the following principal guidelines: