Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 December 2009. It was answered by Ian Lucas (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Trade Agreements: Peru

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission on its decision to continue multiparty trade agreement negotiations with Peru; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The EU and Peru, Colombia and Ecuador began negotiations on a multiparty trade agreement in January 2009, after negotiations between the EU and the Community of Andean Nations had stalled. Ecuador has since dropped out of negotiations, but remains an interested observer.Officials from the joint BIS/DFID Trade Policy Unit have been in continuous liaison with the European Commission throughout the negotiations, via routine representation to the Article 133 Committee (now the Trade Policy Committee, since entry into force of the Lisbon treaty) and associated meetings in Brussels.

Secondary information