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The seven-month delay gives lawmakers extra time to adopt laws and regulations that were originally required by Feb. 29 under the accord.

President Oscar Arias made the announcement at a news conference in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. He said the agreement was signed Wednesday in Washington by representatives of the accord's seven member nations.

Opponents of the accord have blocked approval of the required laws in Costa Rica's Congress, sometimes questioning whether they are constitutional.

In Washington, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab said she hoped Costa Rica can implement the necessary changes before Oct. 1.

"We will continue to work closely with the Costa Rican government to complete the appropriate implementing measures," she said in a statement.

Arias also urged lawmakers to quickly approve the eight remaining initiatives needed to implement the accord.

One of the most controversial initiatives would require more competition within the telecommunications and insurance industries.

The rest of Central America and the Dominican Republic joined CAFTA in 2006. But protests and opposition in Costa Rica delayed its approval until November, when Arias signed the accord into law.