On July 31, 2013, the European Commission issued a press release announcing that a trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama became effective on August 1, 2013.

The release explains that "The comprehensive trade part of this agreement will open up markets for goods, public procurement, services and investment on both sides. This will create a stable business and investment environment based on predictable and enforceable trade rules which, in many instances, go further than the commitments the parties have made in the World Trade Organisation"

This trade agreement is part of an association agreement which was signed in 2012. The other parts of the agreements are political dialogue and cooperation.

The European Commission press release can be accessed online here.