The European partnership with Mercosur: a relationship based on strategic and neo-liberal principles

Abstract:

Since the early 1990s, the European Union has developed new instruments to consolidate its external action, especially in 'low politics'. These new instruments include the signing of interregional arrangements with other regional groups. The EU's region-to-region strategy towards the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) is in keeping with the latest trends of interregionalism. Since the birth of Mercosur, the EU has given technical, financial and diplomatic support to South America's new regionalism. The long-term goal is to conclude a region-to-region agreement in the political, cooperation and trade fields. By providing this support, the EU plays a role as an 'external federator' for new regional experiences through its interregionalist projects. Although 'new interregionalism' is a corollary of the new regionalism, interregionalism can contribute to the consolidation of regionalism. Moreover, by encouraging economic multilateralism, interregional arrangements can improve the governance of globalisation.

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