European Union Association Agreement Explained
A European Union Association Agreement or simply Association Agreement (AA) is a treaty between the European Union (EU), its Member States and a non-EU country that creates a framework for co-operation between them. Areas frequently covered by such agreements include the development of political, trade, social, cultural and security links.
Association Agreements are broad framework agreements between the EU (or its predecessors) and its member states, and an external state which governs their bilateral relations. The provision for an association agreement was included in the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community, as a means to enable co-operation of the Community with the United Kingdom, which had retreated from the treaty negotiations at the Messina Conference of 1955. According to the European External Action Service, for an agreement to be classified as an AA, it must meet several criteria:[1]
The EU typically concludes Association Agreements in exchange for commitments to political, economic, trade, or human rights reform in a country. In exchange, the country may be offered tariff-free access to some or all EU markets (industrial goods, agricultural products, etc.), and financial or technical assistance. Most recently signed AAs also include a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the third country.
Association Agreements have to be accepted by the European Union and need to be ratified by all the EU member states and the state concerned.
Names and types
AAs go by a variety of names (e.g. Euro-Mediterranean Agreement Establishing an Association, Europe Agreement Establishing an Association) and need not necessarily even have the word "Association" in the title. Some AAs contain a promise of future EU membership for the contracting state.
The first states to sign such agreements were Greece in 1961[2] and Turkey in 1963.[3]
In recent history, such agreements have been signed as part of two EU policies, the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAp) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
The countries of the western Balkans (official candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and potential candidate Kosovo) are covered by SAp. All six have "Stabilisation and Association Agreements" (SAA) with the EU in force.
The Eastern European neighbours of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are all members of the Eastern Partnership and are covered by the ENP. While Russia has a special status with the EU-Russia Common Spaces instead of ENP participation.
Meanwhile, the countries of the Mediterranean, (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia) are also covered by the ENP and seven of the Mediterranean states have a "Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association" (EMAA) with the EU in force, while Palestine has an interim EMAA in force.[4] Syria initialed an EMAA in 2008, however signing has been deferred indefinitely. Negotiations for a Framework Agreement with the remaining state, Libya, have been suspended.
Moldova and Ukraine have Association Agreements in force. Armenia completed negotiations for a AA in 2013 but decided not to sign the agreement and later signed a revised CEPA with the EU in 2017.[5] Azerbaijan was also negotiating an AA, but did not conclude one.[6]
Both the SAA and ENP are based mostly on the EU's acquis communautaire and its promulgation in the co-operating states legislation. Of course, the depth of the harmonisation is less than full EU members and some policy areas may not be covered (depending on the particular state).
In addition to these two policies, AAs with free-trade agreement provisions have been signed with other states and trade blocs including Chile and South Africa.
EU Agreements with third states
Association Agreements
In force
Currently in negotiations
Formerly in negotiations but abandoned
Defunct agreements
- African states Convention of Association (1964,[44] 1971[45]), superseded by another Convention in 1976
- ACP Convention (1976,[46] 1981,[47] 1986,[48] 1991[49]), superseded by PA in 2003
- Bulgaria EAA (1995),[50] acceded to the EU in 2007
- Croatia SAA (2005),[51] acceded to the EU in 2013
- Cyprus AA (1973),[52] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Czech Republic EAA (1995),[53] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Czech and Slovak Federative Republic EAA (NA),[54] did not enter into force due to dissolution of Czechoslovakia
- EAC Agreement Establishing an Association (1971),[55] superseded by another Convention in 1976
- Estonia EAA (1998),[56] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Greece AA (1961), acceded to the EU in 1981
- Hungary EAA (1994),[57] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Latvia EAA (1998),[58] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Lithuania EAA (1998),[59] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Malta AA (1971),[60] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Poland EAA (1994),[61] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Romania EAA (1995),[62] acceded to the EU in 2007
- Slovakia EAA (1995),[63] acceded to the EU in 2004
- Slovenia EAA (1999),[64] acceded to the EU in 2004
- United Kingdom ACR (1955),[65] acceded to the EU in 1973
Free-trade agreements
In force
See main article: European Union free trade agreements.
Currently undergoing ratification
Currently in negotiations
Other agreements
Currently undergoing ratification
Currently in negotiations
Defunct agreements
- Albania ATCEC (1992),[130] superseded by SAA in 2009
- Algeria CA (1978),[131] superseded by EMAA in 2005
- Armenia PCA (1999),[132] superseded by CEPA in 2021
- Egypt CA (1978),[133] superseded by EMAA in 2004
- Georgia PCA (1999),[134] superseded by AA in 2016
- Kazakhstan PCA (1999)[135] superseded by EPCA in 2020
- Macedonia CA (1998),[136] superseded by SAA in 2004
- Mexico CA (1991),[137] superseded by EPPCCA in 2000
- Moldova PCA (1998),[138] superseded by AA in 2016
- Morocco CA (1978),[139] superseded by EMAA in 2000
- Serbia FA FRY-EU (2000)
- Tunisia CA (1978),[140] superseded by EMAA in 1998
- Vietnam CA (1996)[141] superseded by ACPC in 2016
- Legend
Impact on environment and national economies
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Trade agreements between the EU and other countries or free trade zones have differential effects on the respective economies. Agricultural industries are most significantly impacted when regional farms have to compete with large producers that gain access to markets when tariffs fall. For large agreements such as the AA with Mercosur, significant opposition exists in European countries against cheaper imports of meats and other products.[142] However, for the manufacturing sector of cars and industrial products for export, usually involving larger global corporations, relevant volume increases are obvious for the more industrialised trade members.[143]
Environment
The impact on the environment for those nations that export farm products from areas with rain forests or other ecologically relevant regions, for example in Brazil, has been increasingly documented by environmental groups opposing EU trade agreements.[144] In addition, other industries with large environmental impact such as mining are expanding in areas where the regulatory burden is low, for example in South America and Asia. Industry groups have argued that increased economic performance in those sectors will only strengthen standards in participating nations, and that EU trade agreements should go hand in hand with harmonisation efforts for environmental regulations.[145]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120401163320/http://www.eeas.europa.eu/association/docs/agreements_en.pdf. Association Agreements. 11 May 2011. 9 August 2013. 2012-04-01. European External Action Service.
- Accord créant une association entre la Communauté économique européenne et la Grèce. fr. 18 February 1963. 19 July 2013. Official Journal of the European Union. P 26/1963. 294–342.
- Accord créant une association entre la Communauté économique européenne et la Turquie – Protocole n° 1 : protocole provisoire – Protocole n° 2 : protocole financier – Acte final – Déclarations. fr. 29 December 1964. 19 July 2013. Official Journal of the European Union. P 217/1964. 3687–3697.
- Web site: Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements. 21 July 2013. European Union.
- Web site: Armenia – Trade – European Commission. ec.europa.eu.
- Web site: Azerbaijan. European External Action Service. 26 January 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 4 July 2014.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: SAA Agreement with Kosovo*. Council of the European Union. 2016-12-07.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 20 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 4 July 2014.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Addressed by the EU as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria/6769/fact-sheet---the-european-union-and-syria_en FACT SHEET – The European Union and Syria
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye | EEAS. www.eeas.europa.eu. 21 April 2023.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 March 2014.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 27 June 2014.
- Web site: Official Journal of the European Union. Council of the European Union. 13 July 2017.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 2021-01-01.
- Web site: EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement: Council adopts decision on conclusion. consilium.europa.eu. 2021-04-29.
- Web site: RECORDED HRVP Federica MOGHERINI host the ceremony on the occasion of the launching of the Association Agreement(s) negotiations with the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino. 2015-03-18. 2015-03-18. European Commission.
- Web site: Commission proposes Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino to the Council. European Commission. 26 April 2024. 13 July 2024.
- Web site: EU announces deal with Andorra and San Marino – just don’t mention finance. Politico. Kathryn Carlson. 7 May 2024. 13 July 2024.
- Web site: ENP Package – Libya. 2014-03-27. 2014-07-09. European Commission.
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-trade-mercosur/eu-mercosur-agree-on-draft-free-trade-treaty-idUSKCN1TT2KD "EU, Mercosur strike trade pact, defying protectionist wave"
- Web site: European-Syrian Cooperation Agreement. 7 August 2013. European External Action Service. 16 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130916212640/http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria/eu_syria/political_relations/agreements/index_en.htm. dead.
- Web site: Syria. 8 August 2013. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Convention of association between EEC and the African States and Malgache associated to the Community, as well as its Protocols and Annexes. 2021-12-29. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Convention of association between EEC and African States and Malgache associated to the Community, as well as its Protocols and Annexes. 2021-12-29. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 12 November 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- News: Agreement establishing an association between the European Economic Community and the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Kenya. 2021-12-29. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Book: European Yearbook. III. 2013. Springer Science+Business Media. 365. 9789401538954.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 20 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement – Consilium. consilium.europa.eu. en. 2018-07-18.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Franco-Monegasque Treaty
- Web site: 2024-05-01 . EU-New Zealand . 2024-05-27 . policy.trade.ec.europa.eu . en.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 21 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 7 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 18 July 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. }
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 9 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 1 November 2016.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 9 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 9 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 9 August 2013.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 2021-05-16.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 17 November 2016.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 13 August 2016.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. Council of the European Union. 17 November 2016.
- Web site: Australia – Trade – European Commission. ec.europa.eu.
- Web site: India. European Commission. 3 September 2012.
- Web site: 2024-03-05 . EU trade relations with Malaysia . 2024-05-27 . policy.trade.ec.europa.eu . en.
- Web site: Morocco. European Commission.
- Web site: EU and the Philippines launch negotiations for a free trade agreement. 22 December 2015. European Commission.
- Web site: EU and Thailand hold first round of negotiations for Free Trade Agreement. 31 May 2013. 7 September 2013. European Commission.
- Web site: Tunisia. European Commission.
- Web site: EU and US conclude first round of TTIP negotiations in Washington. 12 July 2013. 7 September 2013. European Commission.
- Web site: Pacific. 22 April 2015. European Commission.
- Web site: Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Trade – European Commission. ec.europa.eu.
- http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/september/tradoc_144912.pdf State of Play
- Web site: West Africa – Trade – European Commission. ec.europa.eu.
- Web site: Central Africa. 7 September 2013. European Commission.
- Web site: The EU's bilateral trade and investment agreements – where are we?. 1 August 2013. 7 September 2013. European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 9 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 13 January 2015. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Joint Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part. 2017-09-25. 2017-10-16. European Commission. In certain areas, the Agreement is also designed to bring Armenian law gradually closer to the EU acquis. However, it does not go as far as to establish an association between the EU and Armenia..
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 9 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 9 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 13 January 2015. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 17 October 2016. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 17 October 2016. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Free Trade Agreement. 9 August 2013. European External Action Service. 8 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130808051942/http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/malaysia/eu_malaysia/political_relations/partnership_cooperation_agreement/index_en.htm. dead.
- Web site: Russia – Trade – European Commission. ec.europa.eu.
- Web site: Press Release European Union – Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement initialled today in Brussels. 2013-11-07. 2016-01-06. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Remarks by the HRVP at the bilateral meeting with Abdulaziz Kamilov, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, announcing the formal launch of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement negotiations with Uzbekistan. 2018-11-23. 2018-11-24. European External Action Service.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 21 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 21 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 18 July 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 August 2013. Council of the European Union.
- Web site: Agreement details. 7 September 2013. Council of the European Union.
- https://www.france24.com/en/20190629-eu-south-america-agriculture-trade-mercosur-farmers-environmentalists Farmers, environmentalists slam ‘sell-out’ EU-Mercosur trade deal
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/03/how-two-new-free-trade-agreements-could-transform-brazil/ How two new free trade agreements could transform Brazil
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-mercosur-reach-agreement-on-trade-11561745957 EU, Mercosur Reach Agreement on Trade
- https://www.efta.int/eea/policy-areas/goods/standardisation-mra-technical-cooperation Standardisation, Mutual Recognition Agreements and Technical Cooperation