• December 1994- The Summit of the Americas was held. The Heads of State and Government of the 34 democracies in the region agreed to construct a Free Trade Area of the Americas

• 1994-1998 (Preparatory Phase)- The 34 Ministers responsible for trade established twelve working groups to identify and examine existing trade- related measures in each area, with a view to identifying possible approaches to negotiations

• 4 Meetings took place during this phase: The first was in June 1995 in Denver, U.S.A., the second in March 1996 in Cartagena, Colombia, the third in May 1997 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and the fourth in March 1998 in San José, Costa Rica.

• Open markets and free trade (which is what the FTAA is all about) increases the variety and quantity of goods and services

• Economic integration will lessen regional tensions and improve lines of communication for the 34 countries

998- In the San José Declaration, the Ministers set out the structure of the negotiations.

• November 20 and 21st 2003- Trade ministers from 34 countries will convene in Miami to negotiate the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), an agreement that will cover the entire Western hemisphere (with the exception of Cuba) if it enters into force on 1st January 2005, as planned.

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