Definicija: Association agreements establish special links with non-member countries extending beyond the purely trade aspect to include close economic cooperation and financial assistance. They can be divided into two categories:1) Agreements to maintain the special relationships that exist between some Member States and certain non-member countries (special economic links existed with some overseas countries and territories);2) Agreements to prepare the way for possible accession. They form a kind of preliminary stage to accession, designed to help a country that has applied for membership to bring its economy into line with the rest of the Community.