/ Modernization of the association agreement between Chile and the European Union
April 24, 2020Associate Alessandri
Chile and the European Union have been negotiating the modernization of the association agreement between both parties since 2017. Three years have passed since the first approaches and the negotiations are still ongoing. Although there have been significant advances in matters of telecommunications, sanitary measures and environmental matters after the end of the last round of negotiations, there are still sensitive issues and matters that must be resolved. Among them, we find subjects that have a great regulatory and public policy impact for our country, such as access to markets, geographical indications, pharmaceutical patents, copyright and intellectual property matters in general, all of which have prevented an effective advance in the negotiations.
Notwithstanding the above, negotiations between the blocs continue and they have agreed to return to the discussion table next May. Although there are complex issues to resolve, it is expected that by the end of this year the modernization agreement will come to light.