Ingresar
Central America and the European Union Hold First Association Council Meeting
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
The European Union and the six Central American nations —Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama— convened on July 14, 2025, in Brussels for the first-ever EU-Central America Association Council, a milestone in the deepening of political and economic ties between the two regions. The meeting was held under the framework of the Association Agreement that formally entered into force on May 1, 2024.
The high-level session was co-chaired by Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative/Vice President of the Commission, and Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Foreign Minister of Denmark, representing the current EU Council Presidency. On the Central American side, ministers and vice-ministers of foreign affairs from all six countries took part, including Arnoldo André Tinoco (Costa Rica), Alexandra Hill Tinoco (El Salvador), and Gerardo Torres Zelaya (Honduras), among others.
The meeting offered a platform to discuss shared concerns on the changing global geopolitical landscape, regional crises, and the future direction of cooperation, investment, and trade. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order, multilateralism, and respect for human rights, sovereignty, and the UN Charter.
The Council underscored the importance of enhanced bi-regional dialogue to tackle global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, food and energy security, migration, and organized crime. Particular emphasis was placed on Central American integration, anchored in peace, democracy, and inclusive economic development.
Advancing Trade and the Sustainable Development Agenda
The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were highlighted as central to the cooperation strategy. The parties pledged to work together on areas including health, digitalisation, education, biodiversity, and clean energy.
A cornerstone of the discussion was the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which seeks to mobilize private and public capital for strategic projects in infrastructure, digital transformation, and green energy. The importance of strengthening the Central American Regional Electricity Market was also highlighted as a driver of regional integration and growth.
Trade emerged as a key area of success and future opportunity. The EU is Central America's third-largest trading partner, with trade volumes jumping from €8.7 billion in 2012 to €22 billion in 2023. Central America’s exports have shifted towards more innovative, value-added products, with agri-food exports to the EU showing exceptional resilience and importance—accounting for up to 90% of exports in value for some countries.
Both regions expressed interest in further developing trade and investment ties, building on the solid foundation laid by the Association Agreement’s trade pillar.
The Council concluded with a commitment to institutional continuity and deeper people-to-people connections. It was agreed that Association Committees and Cooperation Subcommittees will meet regularly to feed into the next Association Council, scheduled to take place in Central America in 2027.
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.
The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.
Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.
We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.
Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.