Title: cooperation in BRICS and the EU paradox
1cooperation in BRICS and the EU paradox
- Paulo Borba CASELLA
- Chair Professor for Public International Law
- Vice-Dean at the University of São Paulo Law
School - Visiting Professor at the University of Macau Law
School - (since 2007) author of BRIC (2011)
2cooperation in BRICS - why?
- Brazil, Russia, India, China South Africa
- cooperation has its usual role in todays world
as known and extensively practiced already - interdependence of countries in present world
makes cooperation a requirement in each country - can cooperation have added value?
- can the BRICS build a new model, useful for the
world?
3the European Union paradox
- the present status of EU between an IGO and a
confederation of states no parallel in history - admirable achievements over decades
- fully developed institutional legal system,
including constitutional principles,
substantive law and procedures for quality
control of integration development
4whereas the BRICS ...
- not even one treaty to stipulate what are the
rights and the obligations of participant
countries - all we have are the three declarations, closing
the year summits of Brasilia, Ekaterimburg and
Sanya - all remains to be done, but not forget changes of
international perception of these and by each of
these countries along latest years - the will attached to achieve added value could
be the role of international law relations
shaping a new multilateral world order
5as we know, there are no short cuts
- need to understand each of these civilizations,
quite complex and apparently very different - each of same to be considered in their respective
history, culture, economy, international
relations - the attitude towards international law, and
politics, both internal international - thereafter can joint views be attempted played
- BRIC is showing something new on the scene ...
6search for international insertion
- each and all countries have to look for
- but with conscience of interdependence
- and of the models to be applied
- many possible channels for implementation
- once the necessity is acknowledged, there will be
variations on the choice of the priority partners
and then, BRICS EU
7BRICS and the EU could feature cooperation with
added value
- BRICS and the EU are major changes, of worldwide
repercussion building a new world beyond cold
war - both are not simply for internal use, but
mainly a device for strategic management of
shared interests - the relations of the five BRIC with the 27 EU
members can change the world
8cooperation the added value
- time to redesign cooperation features in the
world - the old forms are tired and their results
insufficient - the BRICS cooperation is not only for internal
use - the new multipolar world is under way
- it is necessary and is to be welcomed
- but the  added value is not yet fully
established
9failure of imperialist unilateralism end of US
hegemonism (2000-08)
- the entire world carries the burden of the
blunders (military, political, economic legal
failures) of BUSH years to show that this
cannot be a model for the world - if unilateralism died, it has to be ascertained
which multilateralism can we aim at, which levels
can be achieved?
10 the search for international insertion
- great world changes in the last two decades so
much since the end of the cold war - most of analysis written before look as old as
ancient history, as it describes the past, a
world that no longer exists - no clear-cut models for international relations
established since the artist of floating world - variations on themes, familiar yet untried
11contrasts of the two blocks
- the EU has built itself BRIS is open
- with institutions same yet to be
treaties done, if and when procedures any
of these may become necessary - and yet, the EU whereas BRICS
- looks perplexed look confident
12substantial changes in the world
- the European Union and the outside world
- the end of a past model beyond the East-West
confrontation pattern of Cold War - new years new challenges for the world
-
- both EU and the BRICS at crossroads in search of
a future
13attempt to view the next years
- if globalization cannot be avoided, it should be
put to work properly meaning to be useful for
the largest number of people and countries and
not just some happy few - growing awareness of the need to protect human
natural ressources in order to keep intelligent
life on the planet ...
14search for international insertion we see it
all over again
- present conditions for discourse practice
- the role to be played by Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South Africa with each other, among
them with other countries? - beyond overlaps, to find the interactions
- search for a new pattern in international
relations, for the benefit of all
15BRICS are NOT intended to ...
- go beyond a cooperation model (no EU)
- to cope with historical or geographical
imperatives - no previously determined pattern to follow
(variety of models from the EU to APEC) - similarities among apparent differences for
understanding common trends in both cases
16BRICS also surely NOT to be ...
- aiming at integrated Europe this is to be
admired, but not tried by other groups - tired of long and fruitless endeavours at
integration in South Latin America - the repetition of old colonialist models
south-south as opposed to old north-south
cooperation patterns
17BRICS cooperation, not integration
- converging circumstances and similarities can
help advance building cooperation - integration may be too much to be aimed EU
shows, that this is neither a magic word, nor
solves all troubles, internal external - Brazil MERCOSUL have long years of failed
negotiations with the EU no results
18lessons of history,can be useful, if and when
learned
- lessons of history have to be learned and put
into practice - perception of change is a crucial feature for an
adequate understanding of the world - this is a good perception by SSUMA CHIEN (c.
145-c. 86 b.C.) the classical Chinese historian
could be a guideline
19lessons of history to be learned
- the BRICS are not bound to repeat mistakes of
previous eras, they can innovate shaping the
new multipolar world with call for peace
prosperity - no humanitarian treatment to be expected
- no charity handling expected from each other
... but good faith and fair play are mandatorily
required to build any lasting relationship (there
are lessons from the past, to be avoided in the
future) - the search for competitive international
insertion requires new patterns it can not just
be more of the same stuff! enough is enough of
past!
20 useful lessons from history ... but not as ends
in themselves
- aggressive hegemonism is to be set aside
disastrous results of past decade is evidence of
dated model enough is enough - building dialogue and cooperation channels
requires perception of common needs and shared
views on goals to be achieved - cooperation within BRICS and joint action
EU-BRICS can be innovative, but remains to be
built
21international perception means need to react
creatively to changes
- extension and relevance of changes in the world,
each of BRICS countries over latest twenty
years - no need of extensive review to ascertain same
mostly positive, and other issues not so much
just consider how deep broad transformations
Brazil since 1988, Russia since the end of the
USSR, India as a nuclear power, China since 1989
and South Africa since the end of the apartheid
22changes of international perception
- nuclear powers (Russia, India China) Brazil
played by the rules nuclear free Latin America - permanent members with veto power in the UN-SC
(Russia, China) (claim India, Brazil, S.Africa) - human natural ressources assets to develop and
to be preserved the imperative of education,
acknowledgment and work with cultural diversity - changes in world balance going on in accelerated
pace but economic, political, social, human
environmental impacts seem not yet to be fully
perceived or simply disregarded for the future?
23changes of international perception
responsibilities of each
- no need to stress the various effects and
wide-ranging impact of globalization enough
said over the last twenty years remains
superficial looked beyond the weekly review - globalization should work properly, in order to
share benefits and not only costs thereof, while
building interactions and crossroads - why not a multilaterally oriented BRICS-EU ? new
perceptions in order to understand changes and to
give tailor-made shape to emerging trends
24building the BRICS model
- multilalteral cooperation can be an effective
answer to changes underway - remains yet to be given a chance in practice
- can be a relevant innovation for a world to be
built over the next two or three decades - not only economic and political balance trade,
but with room for principles and international
law  use of force should be avoided in solving
international disputes (BRICS, at Sanya, 2011)
25building a new model
- BRICS as a model to be built  world rule based
on international law and the UN in a central
role - BRICS should aim at  rule based, stable and
predictable world order - BRICS is underway and can be a valid answer not
only to the parties concerned, but to third
countries, and a privileged partner with the EU - BRICS as a matter of cooperation, can be
flexible for adopting coordinated action, as
intergovernmental initiatives, with no need of
new common institutional structures
26BRICS is a choice, not a matter of destiny
- no historical or geographical imperatives
especially for Brazil and South Africa / do not
forget neighbour issues among the other three - no need of talk about common destiny, of binding
imperatives and the like BRICS is a choice, and
a choice to be built, a channel, a viable
alternative - no required format or mandatory recipes no need
to reinvent the wheel models for international
economic cooperation known, to select at choice
27building a new world model
- beyond superficial differences between BRICS and
the EU there are common needs and goals to be
pursued matter of perception of realities
assessment of common tasks to be done - a humanist effort to understand the other need
to go beyond prejudices and preconceived ideas - can be useful to bind these five together, plus
the EU Â public health, regional cooperation,
green economic development, promote scientific
and technological development and innovation - can be efficient and equitable for all the world
28 BRICS and the EU now and beyond
- common interests, Â shared agenda of strategyÂ
yet to be built - potential for new global leadership
- challenging task in troubled times, with a
daunting agenda common position on Syria - need to redraw worlds financial institutions
- assert political influence on the global stage
29BRICS highlights
- reflect changes in international monetary system
added value for emerging economies developing
countries - discussion about role of SDR and a basket of
currencies - international financial regulatory oversight and
supervision, strenghten policy coordination
financial regulation - increase production capacity and dialogue
- use of force should be avoided in resolving
disputes turbulence in Middle East, North West
Africa - United Nations reform, including the Security
Council
30the perspective of added value
- Joint Declaration (Sanya, 2011) cements
importance of the BRICS - cooperation with added value has moved from
theory to practice and is expected to grow next,
as a reflection of changing times - independent model for world development care for
each others basic interests and strenghten wider
dialogue and cooperation with third countries - establish a more just and reasonable
international economic and political order and
peaceful international environment
31from former prosperity and growth to a time of
knowledge in the EU
- true to Confucian tradition, knowledge not to be
viewed just as the attainment of individual
perfection and intellectual elevation, in itself
and for itself but same is also relevant for its
practical implementation and the use made thereof - externally, learning evolves from cultivating
ones character, to regulating ones family, to
order by rule in ones kingdom and, ultimately,
to help bring peace and harmony to the whole
world
32easy to be wise when all goes well
- in the XVIth. century, WANG Yang Ming, famous
exponent of the philosophy of mind (hsin-hsüeh),
explained greatness as an allusion to embracing
the ultimate unity of things (wan-wu i-t-i)
beyond apparent shape - the present world requires same
- the academic milieu can contribute to form and to
reach such embracing views
33challenge of present times
- the outcome will be crucial for all of us
- naming the EU paradox shows that an organized
structure does not solve all issues - BRICS is not yet structured but shows will
- the interaction of the two can matter for both
and be enormously relevant for all - cooperation is more necessary than ever ...