Lima, Oct. 31,. 2003. In Lima, today, the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministers of the Andean Community and Mercosur issued a series of guidelines for the final stage of negotiations relating to the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between both blocks.

In a joint communiqué, the ministers expressed their satisfaction for the progress of the negotiations, “which reflects the profound willingness of their governments to achieve a balanced and beneficial agreement in the required flexible and pragmatic manner, taking into consideration the existing asymmetries, as well as the interests of all Parties concerned”.

The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Guillermo Fernández de Soto, declared that this had been a fundamental meeting for defining policy criteria that will serve as guideline in the last phase of negotiations.

“Because of the progress achieved to date, I can ensure that we are in the final stage of negotiations with great expectation”, he emphasized.

He stated that the Andean Community countries will hardly find another opportunity such as this, for negotiating with Mercosur in such excellent conditions. “The Agreement that is being outlined is a fair one, balanced and recognizes the difference between the participating countries”, he added.

Lastly, he underlined the constructive spirit on the part of all participants in their compliance with the timetable and signing of the CAN - Mercosur Agreement, in December.