Lima, July 14, 2004. The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Allan Wagner, said today that one of the most important decisions made in the Presidential Summit was the CAN countries’ decision to preserve the Andean legal system in trade negotiations with third parties, and to make sure that Community regulations will prevail in their reciprocal relations.

He indicated that this decision has consolidated the Andean Community, since it guarantees that our integration process will not be subject to commitments made with third parties. Additionally, in the event that not all countries participate, an information exchange and consultation will take place, in such manner that due consideration will be given to the interests of Andean partners.

Wagner highlighted other achievements of the Summit, such as the establishment of an Andean Peace Area, which will turn the Andean Sub-Region into a land which is free of mass destruction weapons, and the approval of the Guidelines for the Andean Common Policy on External Security, which sets a landmark for Andean political integration, turning the CAN into the only integration body, in addition to the EU, to have a similar instrument.

He also point out the wishes of the Presidents to tighten bonds with the rest of Latin American countries in all areas, confirming Latin American integration as one of the chief objectives of the Cartagena Agreement. To that effect, "the Presidents resolved to reinforce South American integration through a strategic, multi-dimension agreement and to set forth efforts for an association with Mexico and free trade with Central America", he informed.

Furthermore, the Andean Heads of State restated their 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.

Concerning the Common External Duty, Wagner indicated that the Presidents agreed to have a final decision by May 2005, based on flexibility criteria, so that it will become a useful instrument in supporting the harmonization of the Andean market, especially negotiations with third party countries, inasmuch as it will be allowed to have negotiations based on common guidelines.

He informed that simultaneous to this, the Presidents issued instructions to strengthen trade integration, with the obvious wish to materialize the Free Trade area and to move towards a common market, in order to permit the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within Andean territory.

Finally, Wagner noted the Presidents’ decision to set December 7, of this year, as the date to hold a special Presidential Summit in Peru to exchange views on a development model of the sub-region, centered around the potential of the Andean nations and equality in international economic insertion.