Central American Integration System

Central American Integration System Latest News

Recently, the external affairs Minister highlighted India’s deepening engagement with the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) during the India-SICA Foreign Minister’s Meeting.

About Central American Integration System

• It is the institutional framework of Regional Integration in Central America.
• Background: It was established on December 13, 1991, by the signing of the Protocol to the Charter of the Organization of Central American States (ODECA) or Tegucigalpa Protocol, which amended the Charter of ODECA, signed in Panama on December 12, 1962, and formally came into operation on February 1, 1993.
• Member countries: It was created by the States of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Subsequently, Belize and Dominican Republic joined as full members.
• The SICA initiative was widely supported by the United Nations General Assembly, with the Tegucigalpa Protocol being duly registered with the UN.
• Governance of Central American Integration System
  • The Presidency of SICA rotates every six months.
  • Secretariat: It is located in the Republic of El Salvador.

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Objectives of Central American Integration System

• The fundamental objective of SICA is to realize regional Peace, Liberty, Democracy and Development, based firmly on the respect and promotion of human rights.
• It also focuses on integration of the region, formation of a Free Trade Area and later a Customs Union, integration of infrastructure, common position on regional and global issues and common passport and visa policy.

Source: ET