Paragraph 1 General provisions

The Association Council that is established in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, of the one hand, and Central America, of the other (‘Agreement’) shall perform its duties as provided for in Article 4(2) of the Agreement and take responsibility for general implementation of the Agreement, as well as any other bilateral, multilateral or international question of common interest.

As provided for in Articles 5 and 345 of the Agreement, the Association Council shall be composed of representatives of the EU Party and representatives of each of the Republics of the CA Party, at ministerial level as appropriate and taking into consideration the specific issues to be addressed at any given session. Where appropriate and agreed by both parties, the Association Council shall meet at Head of State or Government level.

Pursuant to Article 345 of the Agreement, when the Association Council performs exclusively or principally the tasks conferred upon it in Part IV of the Agreement, it shall be composed of representatives of the EU Party and the Ministers of each of the Republics of the CA Party with responsibility for trade-related matters.

As provided for in Article 352(3) of the Agreement, the Republics of the CA Party shall act collectively in the decision making within the institutional framework of the Agreement; the adoption of decisions and recommendations shall require their consensus.

Reference to the Parties in these Rules of Procedure is in accordance with the definition provided for in Article 352 of the Agreement.