Regional Integration Organizations Research Articles

Regional Integration and Economic Development: Optimal or Messy Networks?

States join regional integration organizations (RIOs) hoping that membership will boost economic development. Such cooperation should improve the efficiency of economic factors via firm competition, which will promote development. We argue that economic growth is difficult to produce when states form overlapping memberships and join RIOs with economies of similar size and similar levels of development. While joining an RIO may be beneficial, many overlapping memberships tend to involve larger costs through added obligations, leading to low economic performance. Integrating with similarly sized economies is not as beneficial as integrating with larger, relatively wealthier partners. We support our hypotheses using 180 states from 1962-2014. Using social network and time-series analysis, we find that joining multiple RIOs tends to decrease GDP per capita growth. However, the effect is not uniform: the negative effect is stronger in lesser-developed countries and does not hold when RIO membership includes a large economic partner.

International Legal Regulation of Pension Provision of Workers of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States

Introduction. The present article examines the conditions of the formation and functioning of the pension protection system for member states’ workers of the Eurasian Economic Union. The study of pension issues in the EAEU is based, inter alia, on the review of a number of international treaties as the legal framework of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. In the context of this work the author has also conducted a comprehensive analysis of the provisions of the Agreement on pension provision of workers of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States dated December 20, 2019 as well as the relevant practice of the EAEU Court.Materials and methods. In the course of preparing the article, international treaties included in the legal framework of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space in the field of pension provision for migrant workers, as well as the relevant norms of the Union law and the practice of the EAEU Court, have been studied. The theoretical basis of this work consists of the research of domestic specialists in the field of international law, dedicated to the common labor market of the EAEU. The methodological basis of the study is the following general scientific methods of cognition of legal phenomena: methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, and analogy. The special scientific methods that the author has also used in his research include formal legal, comparative legal and historical legal methods of cognition.Research results. As a result of the analysis, it has been revealed that the development and signing in 2019 of the Agreement on pension provision of workers of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States is a key step in building a pension system for workers in the EAEU countries. Despite the fact that this international treaty, which entered into force on January 1, 2021, is still standing the test of time, there is no doubt that its implementation is one of the important conditions for the successful functioning of the Union’s common labor market.Discussion and conclusion. Ensuring the free movement of labor within the framework of modern regional integration organizations is inextricably linked with providing workers with equal guarantees in the field of pension provision, as well as the protection of their acquired pension rights. It is possible that the positive dynamics of labor migration in the EAEU is due, among other things, to the transition to a qualitatively new level of legal regulation of pension provision for workers in its member states. At the same time, as follows from the analysis of the practice of the EAEU Court, the interest of states in clarifying certain norms of the Union law in the relevant area remains quite high.

Land Transportation Infrastructure and Economic Growth: An Assessment of the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan

This Southern African Development Community (SADC), as a regional economic integration organization in Africa, has 16 member countries with rich natural resources and tourism resources, attracting the attention of global investors. Although the region's transport infrastructure is among the leading in Africa, it still lags far behind global standards. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of transport infrastructure in SADC, with a particular focus on road transport facilities within the region. Based on SADC's official "SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan Transport Sector Plan, 2012", this paper evaluates the current situation of its road transport infrastructure and conducts an in-depth analysis of the future road development plan in the plan. This research aims to reveal the challenges faced by SADC at the infrastructure level, and provide a comprehensive and in-depth perspective for policy makers, investors and other relevant stakeholders. At the same time, this study can provide some new ideas for future research and provide new solutions to the problems of transportation infrastructure in the SADC region.

EUROPEAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND NATIONAL CIVIL CODES:INTERACTIONS AND SYNERGIES

The objective of this work is to emphasize the role of global law in the current legal reality and the importance of autonomy of the will in regulating international legal relationships. The study starts from the existence of a legally fragmented world and the differentiation of three levels of regulation of legal relationships with a foreign element. One block of universal regulation, consisting of international treaties and rules of uniform law, another regional level based on the existence of regional integration organizations with their own regulations, and finally a diminishing state level, formed by national legal systems. Whether in a phase of globalization or post-globalization, the juridical reality of international trade and legal relations, in general, undergo significant changes that are worth analyzing. The perspective of global law allows us to contemplate this juridical reality from an eminently practical standpoint, which places the autonomy of will as the protagonist of the legal framework for international contracting, and points to an increasingly significant role in the field of personal and family legal relations.

Demographic Dynamics and Social Transformation in the EAEU

The paper studies demographic changes characterizing new trends in population reproduction in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which differ significantly in the level and rate of population aging. The purpose of the research is to develop proposals for improving social institutions aimed at the development of the EAEU in the context of changes in the age structure of the population. The Eurasian Economic Union is a relatively new but rapidly developing regional integration organization, in a certain sense forming the core of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). At the same time, the transition to subsequent integration stages is impossible without the development of social institutions of the EAEU. Currently, the development of social programs and norms for the formation of common social values is not included in the tasks of regional unions in the post-Soviet space or is considered only in passing. Nevertheless, for further integration it becomes essential to take into account demographic trends as factors in the development of the EAEU. The article shows that over the past six years (2017–2022) in the field of natural reproduction, demographic trends in the member countries of the Union had different directions. The greatest impact on the demographic development of the EAEU is exerted by changes in the population of the Russian Federation, although in recent years there has been a slight decrease in the share of Russia in the total population of the Union. The population of the EAEU countries has significant differences in age structure, however, all five member countries of the Union are affected by the process of demographic aging. The article presents a number of proposals aimed at including demographic changes as a factor in the development of the EAEU. These include the preparation of a comprehensive program of interaction on general humanitarian issues, primarily in the field of education and the preservation of cultural values as the basis for the connection between generations.

INVESTMENT COOPERATION OF THE EAEU COUNTRIES IN CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC INSTABILITY

In the conditions of modern international political contradictions, the main task for any state is to strengthen trade, economic and investment cooperation with neighboring countries. On January 1, 2015, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which unites the states of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, began its work. The purpose of this regional integration organization is the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor, as well as ensuring the implementation of a coordinated, coordinated and unified policy in the sectors of the economy.Despite numerous studies devoted to the consideration of the foundations of mutual investment cooperation of the EAEU countries, the peculiarities of the modern world economy require studying the structure of mutual investment cooperation within the framework of the main geopolitical and macroeconomic partnership. The article analyzes the main trends in the investment activity of the EAEU member states based on mathematical statistics methods, analyzes the features of the structure of mutual direct investment, the volume of investments in the fixed capital of the Union countries by type of economic activity. In the course of the study, the problems facing the Union states on the way to effective investment cooperation were identified, the investment intensity index was evaluated and the prospects for economic and financial integration of mutual cooperation were determined.

When States Regionally Integrate: How Relative Economic Size and Institutional Homogeneity Matter

This study compares two articles that seek to explain why states participate in regional integration organizations and why they want to deepen their economic and political partnerships. The method of comparison is the systemist diagrammatic approach, which requires a deconstruction and mapping of ideas found in social science. The articles demonstrate common variables in their explanations, namely that power asymmetry and satisfaction with the status quo among regional partners are critical in determining why states integrate. The articles diverge in their explanations, with one emphasizing the similarities of institutionalized policies and the other the role a rising power, China, has in developing regional integration in the Western Hemisphere.

Spreading the Standards and Values of the European Union beyond the Borders of the European Integration Area

The globalizing world has forced various actors to look beyond their borders and establish relationships with other actors, in order to reflect the current demands of society. The European Union (EU) was able to reflect on this situation very effectively, since the impact of the European integration process does not end only at the external borders of its member states. The main objective of the article was to define the European Union as an important geopolitical actor that can effectively spread its values and norms across the entire political map of the world. The scope of the EU's external impact beyond the borders of the European integration area was identified through the theoretical approaches of inter-regionalism and External Governance. The author analysed how the EU can spread values and standards towards selected groups of actors, namely candidate countries, countries of EU neighbourhood and other regional integration organizations. The emphasis was not only on the process of how the EU can spread its norms and values, but also on how they are accepted by the affected actors. The large scale and institutionalized form of the EU's external impact documents the effort to actively act beyond its external borders. The spread of values and norms towards external actors contributes to the strengthening of the geopolitical position, where the EU represents an actor with a wide global reach. In addition, the article offered a prognosis of which actors will likely to be exposed to stronger external influence from the EU in the coming years.

The Catholic church and regional governance in west Africa

Abstract ‘Catholic regionalism’ in west Africa exemplifies the capacity of theological claims and theologically informed actors to influence regional governance and international affairs. It is driven by four mutually reinforcing factors: interfaith competition for policy influence and followership, shrinking domestic political space for civil society organizations (CSOs), and de-secularization/counter-secularization pressures (all of which have substantially diminished the church's erstwhile influence); as well as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reforms granting ‘access’ to CSOs in regional policy. Through a strategy of ‘fateful compromise’ with regional states, the church has, more than its counterparts, developed substantial capacity to influence how regional integration organizations frame and implement policy in Africa. The empirical evidence is derived from fieldwork interviews on the activities of church leaders, namely the bishops represented by the Regional Catholic Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA); the Catholic bishops’ conferences in Ghana and Nigeria, where interfaith hegemonic competition is most intense; and ECOWAS Commission bureaucrats. The article enriches the ‘new regionalism’ framework with a template to better understand the regional governance activities of Africa's faith-based actors; and contributes to the literature by introducing the concept of ‘fateful compromise’ suggesting multiple trajectories in church-state relations, contrary to the presumption of inevitable ‘elite cooptation’ of social forces as the only option for inclusive or collaborative governance in societies experiencing regression in democracy.

Legal Status of European Union Bodies and Institutions in the Field of Cybersecurity

The relevance of the reasearch topic stems from the fact that different state bodies are involved in addressing cybersecurity services. While each of the state bodies has their own goals and objectives, the successful resolution of the issues entirely depends on their effective cooperation. The existing resources and expertise available in the EU member states and corresponding EU institutions, bodies and agencies provide a solid basis for a collective response to cybersecurity threats. As a result, the EU has established a system of cyber security risk management bodies. The purpose of this article is to investigate the activities of key EU cyber security authorities. To achieve this goal and analyse the activities of the main EU bodies in the field of cybersecurity , the author has used several methods, such as the systematic approach, the formal-legal method, the comparative-legal method and the historical method. The author has come to the conclusion that cooperation and information exchange are essential elements in addressing cyber security issues. At the same time, to achieve coherence among cyber security bodies, the EU is taking measures to strengthen their joint work. In addition, it has been concluded that the EU, as a regional integration organization where member states act on the basis of mutual trust, is a reliable platform for addressing cyber security issues.

The Influence of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Export Trade between China and ASEAN

Facing with the complicated global situation, many countries change the economic policies at any time. The uncertainty of economic policies will increase, and the uncertainty risk will increase accordingly. The trade share between China and ASEAN was the largest in recent years, which showed the closeness and importance of the economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN. The macro-economy policies, trade policies and regional cooperation of China and ASEAN, will affect interests of both parties. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the impact of the uncertainty of China's economic policy on the export trade between China and ASEAN. By using the uncertainty index of China's economic policy measured by Baker et al (2016)^[1] in 2003-2020, this paper makes an empirical analysis of the impact of the uncertainty of China's economic policy on the export volume of China to ASEAN. The results show that, the uncertainty of China's economic policy has a negative impact on China's export trade to ASEAN. Therefore, to better safeguard the export trade between China and ASEAN, methods such as joining the regional economic integration organization, optimizing the export industry structure, enhancing the innovation ability, and improving the institutional environment should be adopted to reduce the losses caused by the uncertainty risks of economic policies.

The carbon effects of the evolution of node status in the world trade network

Trade has contributed to economic development and has brought countries or regions of the world closer together, but it has also had a significant impact on the global environment, particularly in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Does an increase in a country’s trade necessarily contribute to an increase in its carbon emissions? This paper examines the impact of changes in the position of major countries in the world trade network on their carbon emission levels. In terms of research methodology, this paper achieves an innovation by adopting a complex network approach to analyze the structural characteristics of the trade relationship networks of major countries or regions in the world, providing a new perspective for the study of the relationship between trade development and carbon emissions. The results of the study show that: trade relations among countries are relatively stable from 2000 to 2020, trade ties among members of regional integration organizations are increasing, the top ten countries in terms of importance are mainly developed countries, and China has very close trade relations with most countries. Based on the analysis of structural characteristics, the impact of changes in the network status of each country on its ocarbon emissions is analyzed, using indicators such as the degree centrality of each node as the independent variable and its domestic carbon emission level as the dependent variable. It is found that developed countries have a significant positive impact on in-going degree centrality, and insignificant impact on out-going degree centrality and betweenness centrality. In contrast, developing countries have a significant positive impact on out-going degree centrality and a negative impact on carbon emissions by betweenness centrality, and this conclusion tells us that not all export growth will contribute to higher levels of carbon emissions in the country. Eigenvector centrality has a negative effect on carbon emissions for both developing and developed countries, and closeness to centrality has no effect on carbon emissions while closeness centrality has no effect on carbon emissions. The results of this study again show that the influence of developed countries is greater than that of developing countries on carbon emissions; therefore, the role of developed countries can be taken into account in subsequent studies on carbon emission reduction.

A Pathway for Regional Integration

This article seeks to explain levels of regional integration worldwide. The level of regional integration increases as the economic strength of the regional leader increases under higher levels of satisfaction among partners. The homogenization of domestic institutions also increases under these conditions. Finally, there is a reciprocal effect between integration and the homogenization of domestic institutions. Integration therefore cannot be explained using a single equation but instead requires a system of nonrecursive pathways. The article reviews prior work on regional integration and then contributes to the scholarship by synthesizing the findings of the power-centered and the institutional schools. An analysis of regional integration organizations (1970–2014), using autocorrelation-corrected regressions and structural equation model testing, supports the main hypotheses.

Legal Framework of Labor Migration Governance in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Communities: Comparative Analysis

This article provides a comparative analysis of the legal regulation of labor migration in regional integration organizations: the European Communities (ECs) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Methodologically, we argue that a synchronous comparison of the European Union (EU) in its current shape and the EAEU is rather inadequate and draw on a diachronic comparison of labor migration regulation in the EAEU and the ECs. On the one hand, we identify a number of important differences. We show, in particular, that while regulatory mechanisms in the EEC aimed at stimulating new migration flows, in the post-Soviet space mechanisms of regional migration governance provide the existing migration flows with an appropriate normative framework. We also show that in the case of the EAEU, the founding Treaty provided for a number of essential social rights for workers from EAEU Member States, whereas in the EEC these rights appeared at a much later stage. Regulation of labor migration in the EEC and the EAEU also differs in terms of distribution of competencies in this area between national and Community / Union levels. On the other hand, we also find a number of similarities, which hint at dynamics of policy learning. This is, in particular, evident in the development of mechanisms aimed at protection of migrants’ rights. This is also the case of the Agreement on pensions for workers of the EAEU member states, which seems to borrow from the EU experience opting for coordination of Member States’ retirement systems instead of their unification. Overall, some of EEC/EU ‘best practices’ have contributed to important positive developments in the regulation of intra-Union labor migration in the EAEU.

An Empirical Study on the Influencing Factors and Trade Potential of International Trade in African Regional Integration Organizations: A Case of ECOWAS and SADC

An Empirical Study on the Influencing Factors and Trade Potential of International Trade in African Regional Integration Organizations: A Case of ECOWAS and SADC

Regional (dis)integration beyond governments: A comparison in social and civil society participation between Mercosur and SADC

The aim of this article is to analyse the involvement of civil society in regional integration organizations through a comparative analysis of social/civil society channels in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). We seek to analyse the level of openness and the trajectory of both blocs in relation to civil society participation. The instruments and strategies employed by civil society actors in both regions are contrasted, aiming to understand how prominent and successful they have been in terms of influencing the decision-making processes of Mercosur and the SADC, which have been traditionally marked by their intergovernmental and interpresidential characters. We argue that civil society involvement in regionalism is shaped by regional institutional design, member states’ support for societal participation and civil society resources. Thus, this article seeks to contribute to the comparative regionalism literature, setting out an analytical comparative framework for assessing the role of civil society in regional organizations from the Global South.

ВІЙСЬКОВИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ РЕГІОНАЛЬНИХ ОБ’ЄДНАНЬ

At the beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, large-scale interna-tional conflicts and wars between groups of individuals, unrecognized international actors and countries continue to unfold. In the context of globalization, the issue of forming and strengthening the military potential of the country largely depends on its international integration policy and participation in regional alliances. Relations between the members of regional organizations are formed in the spheres of trade, finance, technical and political cooperation, among which the most important issue is military cooperation, which strengthens their military potential on the world stage. The study found that in existing regional organizations, the degree of military interaction between countries differs significantly. The authors grouped regional organizations according to the power of military cooperation into three groups. The first group is regional integration organizations that do not have joint military forces, military programs and coordination structures. This group includes the vast majority of regional organizations. The second group is regional integration organizations, which have a small amount of military cooperation, conduct joint military exercises, carry out force programs and are able to solve problems with a consolidated military force. This group includes and studied: Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU). The third group is regional alliances, which have a strong military potential. These integration organizations have: an extensive system of international agreements; unified standards; joint military units; joint development programs; coordinating structures; carry out joint exercises and military operations. This group includes: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), European Union (EU). Based on the author's analysis of the military potential of regional organizations, recommendations for countries have been developed. For the countries of the first group it is necessary to determine the expediency of strengthening the military potential of the country by strengthening the integration process: within the membership of existing integration organizations; joining other integration organizations; creation of new integration organizations. For the countries of the second group, it is advisable to continue to support military formations, increase spending on the protection and defense of life and health of their citizens from terrorist groups and other illegal actions that may endanger the government and civilians. For the countries of the third group it is recommended to maintain cooperation in the military sphere, to increase the costs of improving military equipment and weapons. Conduct more joint exercises to gain new experience and skills in different conditions of use of military resources in civilian and military spheres. These most powerful regional alliances have an advantage in the military field precisely because of the number of troops, the number of weapons, military equipment, and joint military bases. And the main goal of these regional organizations is to create security for their citizens and the world as a whole, through the development of new effective mechanisms for global interaction.

The role of international agreements and international customary law in the EU and EAEU legal orders

The article examines the provisions of EU and EAEU law regarding the role and place of international agreements and international customary law in their respective legal orders. The duty of regional integration organisations to comply with international law necessitates the creation of mechanisms allowing incorporating international law norms into the EU and EAEU legal systems while ensuring the independent (autonomous) character of these legal orders. The case law of supranational courts plays a prominent role in resolving this issue. The author focuses primarily on issues that are relevant not only for the EU but for the EAEU at the current stage of its development: ensuring that international agreements with third parties are compatible with the main rules and principles of the functioning of the integration organization; the possibility for individuals to challenge the validity of EU/EAEU institutions/bodies acts on the ground that they are contrary to international treaty or customary law as well as to the binding nature for a regional integration organisation of international agreements concluded by Member States in fields where the competence has been transferred to the supranational level. The author comes to the conclusion that despite the fact that the mechanisms provided by the EAEU Treaty are insufficient, the gaps can be partially filled by the EAEU Court through its case law. In that regard the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union represents an important benchmark, although it needs to be assessed critically. Thus, the strict approach of the CJEU regarding the direct effect of universal international agreements as well as its application of the functional succession doctrine in relation to international agreements concluded by Member States makes it difficult for individuals to rely on international law in order to protect their rights.

‘With Whom We Talk?’ Drawing Regions in 21st Century Africa

"The African continent inherited borders drawn by foreign actors for centuries, with a limited influence exerted by its internal political structures. This impacted its development across decades, acting as a contributing factor to economic, social and political conflicts, some of them resulting in further divisions in time: new states emerged, while the federal structures developed within some states remain unstable. In this paper, the author investigates the current regional groupings of states established in different African frameworks in an attempt to answer the question “how external actors influence and legitimize the development of regions” in 21st century. From a functionalist perspective, it explores the motives for the formation of a wide range of regional integration and cooperation organizations. The case study of G5 Sahel, an institutionalized regional arrangement focused on security and development of its member states, is analyzed as an arrangement emerged with support from France and the European Union. The case study analysis trails the cooperation with these two foreign actors with the G5 Sahel member states in the five years, focused on evolution, financing and joint initiatives – including to what extent these contributed to consolidation of the regional borders. Keywords: region-building, G5 Sahel, regional cooperation, European Union, development cooperation "

Activities of the Eurasian Economic Commission as the Main Regulatory Body of the Eurasian Economic Union

Introduction. One of the most important aspects of the functioning of modern regional international integration organizations is the activity of their executive and regulatory bodies in cooperation with national competent authorities. This is especially relevant in the process of the functioning of the Eurasian Economic Union and the development of the legal order of this integration association. Purpose. The purpose of the study is to study and analyze the most important aspects of the activities of the Eurasian economic Commission in the context of interaction with national regulatory authorities. Methodology. The study used both General scientific methods of cognition - analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparison, and private law methods (formal legal, technical-legal, and the method of legal analogy). Results. The article reveals the specifics of the legal status of the Eurasian Economic Commission as the main regulatory body of the Eurasian Economic Union, its specificity in the context of a set of supranational powers, largely due to which the integration processes within the Union are developing. Conclusion. The conclusions made as a result of the study can be used in relation to the improvement and development of the legal systems of international organizations of regional integration with the participation of the Russian Federation, in particular, the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as the process of interaction of national government bodies with the Eurasian Economic Commission.