Nicaragua » International Relations

The Nicaragua Relations with International Community

A participant of the Central American Security Commission (CASC), Nicaragua has taken a leading role in pressing for regional demilitarization and peaceful settlement of disputes within states in the region. At the 1994 Summit of the Americas, Nicaragua joined six Central American neighbours in signing the Alliance for Sustainable Development known as the Conjunta Centro America-USA or CONCAUSA, to promote sustainable economic development in the region. On 10 October 2005, the Nicaraguan congress ratified the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) between the US, the Dominican Republic and other Central American Countries. The congressional approval of the Free Trade Agreement, after a year of intense internal debate including street protests, signaled a move toward regional economic integration in Central America. Nicaragua's ratification of CAFTA now leaves Costa Rica as the only country not to approve it.

Nicaragua and its neighbours also successfully negotiated a Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement with the EU which was signed in Rome on 15 December 2003. Negotiations on an Association Agreement with the European Union are expected to begin in early 2007.

Trade and Investment with UK

The British Council promotes educational and cultural relations between the UK and Nicaragua.