United Nations University - Comparative Regional Integration Studies

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Research Institute for Asian Integration
Introducing European Experiences

• Dr. Brigid Gavin
• United Nations University
• Comparative Regional Integration Studies

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Outline

• Role of research in policy making
• The European model
• Relevant EU experiences for Asia
• FTAs vs. Customs Unions
• The European Internal Market
• Regional policy equitable development
• Governance and institutions

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Role of Academic Research

• Academic research scientific rigour
• Policy makers needs
• the right information
• in the right form
• at the right time
• How research helps policy making

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European experiences

• Robert Schuman no single plan
• EU built on concrete achievements
• EU was constructed by action
• No model, or theory to follow
• EU provides living laboratory
• Not a model for imitation
• A model to stimulate new thinking

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FTAs and Customs Unions

• Europe chose CU from the start
• Political interpretation
• Economic research- no difference
• New research in 1990s
• CUs superior for economic welfare
• Result from EU living laboratory
• Implications for Asia?

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The EU Internal Market

• EU internal market deep integration
• Asia moves to deep integration now
• Deep integration non-tariff barriers
• Example Standards
• Conflict of national standards
• EU Asia at same starting point

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Regional Policy- Equity

• East Asia large economic disparities
• Challenge equitable development
• Regional integration and equity?
• EU evidenced at end of 1980s
• Regional policy now central in EU
• Lesson operates as partnership

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Institutions in Europe

• Paradigm change after War
• From rule of force to rule of law
• History/culture influence institutions
• Current change in Europe and Asia?
• Formal and informal institutions
• Convergence in practice?

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Conclusions

• EU 50 years of experience
• Each region has specific factors
• But many similarities too