The EU manages trade relations with third countries in the form of trade agreements, which are designed to create better trade opportunities and overcome trade barriers.
EU’s trade policy is also used as an instrument for the promotion of European principles and values, such as democracy, human rights, the environment and social rights.
Trade agreements vary according to their content; besides Economic Partnership Agreements (which support the development of trading partners in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries), and Association Agreements (which strengthen broader political agreements), Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) allow for the mutual opening of markets between developed countries or emerging economies, by granting preferential access to each other’s markets.
Negotiations on EU trade agreements are carried out in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Below is a list of agreements in force between the EU and some third countries:
- Accordo di libero scambio UE-Nuova Zelanda
- Accordo di libero scambio UE-Vietnam
- Accordo di libero scambio UE-Singapore
- EPA Economic Partnership Agreement UE-Giappone
- CETA Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement UE-Canada
- Accordo multipartito UE – Perù Colombia Ecuador
- Accordo di Associazione UE – Paesi dell’America Centrale
- Accordo di Libero Scambio UE-Corea del Sud
Contacts:
Office 9 – DGUE
Common Trade Policy
E-mail: dgue-09@esteri.it