Guatemala: Betrekkingen met de Europese Unie
From Handelswijzer Midden-Amerika van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Ambassade te Costa Rica
Guatemala enjoys a comprehensive relationship with the EU that encompasses political dialogue, a broad cooperation framework and a favorable trade regime with the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+). The EU has been the main contributor to Guatemala in the implementation of the Peace Accords and since 1984 Guatemala is part of the inter-ministerial San José Dialogue between Central America and the European Union. A new Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2003 in Rome and was followed by the decision in 2004 during the Guadalajara Summit, to conclude an Association Agreement including a Free Trade Agreement. The negotiations were officially opened in June 2007.
The EU supports Guatemala's regional integration and its efforts to reinforce its Rule of Law. Over the past years, the EU has substantially increased its cooperation. Compared to 2002-06 (96 M€), 2007-13 (135 M€) EU Country Strategy includes: social cohesion (good management of public funds, support to youth population (crime prevention, employment), economic growth and trade as well as regional integration.
The EU also funds a number of Human Right projects which include support to indigenous people. The EU will also contribute to financing the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala and will support its activities through a bilateral programme in the area of justice reform.
