Andean Group
Summary of Andean Group
Originally a subgroup within the now defunct Latin American Free Trade Area (LAFTA), the Andean Group was established by the Cartagena Agreement of 1969. The purpose of the group (also known as the Andean Common Market and the Andean Subgroup) is to foster economic integration of the member states. In 1984 the membership was composed of: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Panama became an associate member in 1979; Mexico and Argentina often collaborate in group affairs, although they are not formal members. Chile, which was a founding member, withdrew in 1976. In 1979, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the founding of the group, the member states issued the Mandate of Cartagena, calling for increased political collaboration. The mandate observes that Andean integration is a prerequisite to a broader Latin American integration; to facilitate this integration, the mandate establishes: an Andean court of justice to ensure legal compliance with the integrative process; the Andean Parliament, which will maintain liaison with the national parliaments of the member states, and will propose legislation to enhance the integration process; and an Andean council, consisting of the foreign ministers of the member states, to harmonize external policies.
(Main Author: William J. Miller)
Andean Group Outline
The group was established in 1969 with its headquarters in Lima, Peru. Its members are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Andean Group members are also members of the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA). The group adopts low tariffs or non-tariff on certain goods manufactured and sold within the group and also coordinates the economic policy of the member countries. Since 1989 the members have cooperated extensively in the areas of trade, finance, technological assistance, investment, multinational enterprises and foreign relationships.(1)