Introduction
DCAM: Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America
The European Parliament Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America, including the EU-Central America Association Parliamentary Committee (DCAM), develops contacts with the countries of Central America - Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama - as well as with the Dominican Republic and Cuba. The delegation cultivates both bilateral relations with parliamentarians of the countries, as well as with the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). Since the Central American Parliament held its inaugural session in 1991, the assembly has evolved into the main partner of the DCAM delegation.
President and Membership
The new Chair of the DCAM delegation, Diana Riba i Giner (ES, Greens/EFA) was elected on 3 October 2024.
The delegation has 15 full members and an equal number of alternate members.
The Chair and Vice-Chair are elected by the other members of the delegation. All members come from the political groups of the European Parliament, and the political composition of the delegation reflects that of the Parliament as a whole.
Meetings and interests
The delegation holds regular meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg to discuss major political, social or economic developments in the countries it covers, as well as relevant bilateral issues.
Members of the delegation have actively monitored the implementation of the EU-Central America Association Agreement. This agreement was signed on 29 June 2012 and its trade pillar has been provisionally applied since 2013. The agreement entered into force as a whole on 1 May 2024
The Association Parliamentary Committee
Currently, the delegation is working with the Parlacen and the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on the formation of the Parliamentary Association Committee (CAP), as stipulated in Article 9 of the Association Agreement.
The committee shall be composed of two delegations with an equal number of members of the European Parliament on the one hand, and of the Parlacen and the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on the other.
Travelling
Every year, MEPs from the DCAM delegation travel once to Central America. They also receive regular visits from members of the region's national parliaments and members of the Central American Parliament.
When governments of covered countries invite the EU to observe local elections, DCAM members can participate in European Election Observation Teams.
Links with the EuroLat and European Parliament committees
Many members of the DCAM delegation are also members of the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly and meet with their Central American counterparts during EuroLat activities.
The work of the DCAM delegation is coordinated with the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), the Committee on Development (DEVE) and the Committee on International Trade (INTA).
President and Membership
The new Chair of the DCAM delegation, Diana Riba i Giner (ES, Greens/EFA) was elected on 3 October 2024.
The delegation has 15 full members and an equal number of alternate members.
The Chair and Vice-Chair are elected by the other members of the delegation. All members come from the political groups of the European Parliament, and the political composition of the delegation reflects that of the Parliament as a whole.
Meetings and interests
The delegation holds regular meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg to discuss major political, social or economic developments in the countries it covers, as well as relevant bilateral issues.
Members of the delegation have actively monitored the implementation of the EU-Central America Association Agreement. This agreement was signed on 29 June 2012 and its trade pillar has been provisionally applied since 2013. The agreement entered into force as a whole on 1 May 2024
The Association Parliamentary Committee
Currently, the delegation is working with the Parlacen and the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on the formation of the Parliamentary Association Committee (CAP), as stipulated in Article 9 of the Association Agreement.
The committee shall be composed of two delegations with an equal number of members of the European Parliament on the one hand, and of the Parlacen and the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on the other.
Travelling
Every year, MEPs from the DCAM delegation travel once to Central America. They also receive regular visits from members of the region's national parliaments and members of the Central American Parliament.
When governments of covered countries invite the EU to observe local elections, DCAM members can participate in European Election Observation Teams.
Links with the EuroLat and European Parliament committees
Many members of the DCAM delegation are also members of the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly and meet with their Central American counterparts during EuroLat activities.
The work of the DCAM delegation is coordinated with the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), the Committee on Development (DEVE) and the Committee on International Trade (INTA).
Article 9 of the EU-Central America Association Agreement
AGREEMENT
establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other
Article 9
Association Parliamentary Committee
1. An Association Parliamentary Committee is hereby established. It shall consist of members of the European Parliament, on the one side, and of members of the Parlamento Centroamericano (PARLACEN), and in the case of Republics of the CA Party that are not members of PARLACEN, representatives designated by their respective National Congress, on the other side, who shall meet and exchange views. It shall determine the frequency of its meetings and shall be chaired by one of the two sides alternately.
2. The Association Parliamentary Committee shall establish its rules of procedure.
3. The Association Parliamentary Committee may request of the Association Council relevant information regarding the implementation of this Agreement. The Association Council shall supply the Committee with the requested information.
4. The Association Parliamentary Committee shall be informed of the decisions and recommendations of the Association Council.
5. The Association Parliamentary Committee may make recommendations to the Association Council.
establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other
Article 9
Association Parliamentary Committee
1. An Association Parliamentary Committee is hereby established. It shall consist of members of the European Parliament, on the one side, and of members of the Parlamento Centroamericano (PARLACEN), and in the case of Republics of the CA Party that are not members of PARLACEN, representatives designated by their respective National Congress, on the other side, who shall meet and exchange views. It shall determine the frequency of its meetings and shall be chaired by one of the two sides alternately.
2. The Association Parliamentary Committee shall establish its rules of procedure.
3. The Association Parliamentary Committee may request of the Association Council relevant information regarding the implementation of this Agreement. The Association Council shall supply the Committee with the requested information.
4. The Association Parliamentary Committee shall be informed of the decisions and recommendations of the Association Council.
5. The Association Parliamentary Committee may make recommendations to the Association Council.