The European Union as an international actor and the Mercosur countries

Abstract

This article examines the European Union's ability to act as an international actor in the interregional dialogues through an analysis of its behaviour towards the Mercosur countries from 1991 to 2003. It is divided into four parts and a conclusion. The first part discusses specific approaches concerning the perceptions of the European Union as an international actor. The second one examines the development of interregional dialogues. The article presents a brief framework of the relations between the European Union and Latin America during this period. Then it analyses the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement signed in 1995, emphasizing the political dimension, concentrating mainly on the political dialogue between both regions, and the advances/obstacles in the negotiations towards trade liberalisation and economic cooperation. The conclusion evaluates the actions of the European Union as an international actor in relation to the Mercosur members. The article adopts a historical perspective.