European Model of

Integration
and its Viability in
Promoting
South-Asian Cooperation

Jiss Palelil

EU- Brief History

Idea of European unity during middle ages.
Pan-Europa Movement (1923)
European Confederacy (1943)
Treaty of Rome (1958)
Maastricht Treaty (1992)
Lisbon Treaty (2009)

EU-Political and Economic

Structure
Principles of Conferral and Subsidiarity.
Bicameral Legislature with Executive and Judicial wing.
Supremacy of EU laws over national laws.
Foreign Policy and International Trade negotiations as a bloc.
20% of Global GDP and 30% of wealth
Euro zone and Schengen Area

Asia in the Global Scenario

Largest continent; Home to 63.2% Global Pop.
Five times the size of EU.
8/10 fastest growing economies located in the region.
Strongest overall aggregate HDI in the world.
Largest producer of Oil, Cereals, Fabrics and Core
metals.

South-Asian Region
Fastest growing region in the world.
Abundant natural resources and Strategic Importance
due to its geographic location and economic situation.
Indian Ocean A major sea route for global trade and
logistics movement.
Largest young, working population in the world.

Regional Blocs and

Organizations
ASEAN
One Vision, One Identity, One Community
Est. August 8th,1967
10 Member Nations and 2 Observers.
SAARC
Est. 8th December, 1985.
Headquartered at Kathmandu, Nepal
Aims at the development of the region through mutual cooperation

Asianism and Asian Unity

Pan Asianism or Greater Asianism An Ideology which
promotes the unity of Asian people.
Several attempts so far for the Unified Asian Continent.
More than 13 regional organizations and trading blocs.
Shared cultural heritage and geographical similarities.
More powerful than EU and USA if it becomes a Reality
Monopolistic power in International Trade and Polity

EU Model in South Asian

Integration
o EU MODEL IS VIABLE BECAUSE.
1. Untapped Economic Resources and Larger Labour Supply
2. Majority of them are democracies
3. Formation of a Trade Negotiating bloc brings more power
4. Close proximity of Member nations
5. Shared Cultural Heritage and Traditions
6. Inter-State relations from time immemorial
7. Common threat from Developed Economies

EU Model in South Asian

Integration
o EU MODEL IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE
1. Competing nations rather than Cooperating
nations
2. Regional Conflicts

3. Egotism and prevalence of national identities

4. Fear of Getting Absorbed
5. Lack of a Hegemon to initiate

Future Prospects Suggestions

Modify the functionalist paradigm
Cooperation in the form of knowledge capital and Human
Resource.
India being the crucial stakeholder.
Removing Trade barriers and allowing flow of people.
Filling Trust Deficit and Goodwill-initiatives for unity.
Social and Cultural Interaction people.