Suchergebnisse

A theoretical appraisal of the Swiss and Norwegian models of relations with the European Union (EU), as well as an empirical assessment of experience accumulated, shows that the European Economic Area (EEA) model is quite constraining. Both models have semi-colonial features. In the EEA model, the non-EU member has a little more influence on decision-making but is less independent of the EU than with the Swiss approach. The latter is time-consuming and is subject to much give and take. In the long run, however, countries expected to benefit from the new European Neighbourhood Policy, such as Israel, might find that an EEA approach is not acceptable if it does not offer membership as a long-term possibility, because it is undemocratic. Finally, in the eventuality of a trade war between the United States and the EU, a scenario of high relevance for Israel, the Swiss model would give it more freedom of manoeuvre than the EEA model. Israel would not be part of the EU trading bloc in the eyes of the United States.This is much less clear in the event of EEA membership. On the other hand, an in-depth examination of the Swiss model shows that the 'à la carte' approach does not allow for any degree of depoliticization in relations with the EU, as Israel was hoping for.

La pregunta de si el movimiento hacia acuerdos comerciales exclusivos puede ser interpretado bien como movimiento hacia un "regionalismo benigno" o bien hacia un "regionalismo agresivo" es una pregunta repleta de juicios de valor. El objetivo principal de este artículo es clarificar de una vez por todas la naturaleza y el propósito del regionalismo y de los bloques comerciales regionales para distinguirlos de otras figuras. Una revisión de los principales esquemas de integración lleva a la conclusión que el único bloque comercial regional, como tal, es la Unión Europea. Tanto MERCOSUR como la Unión Aduanera UE-Turquía no funcionan de omento como verdaderos bloques comerciales. Ni NAFTA ni el EEE pueden considerarse como bloques comerciales. ________________________________________The question whether the movement towards the conclusion of exclusive trade agreements can be interpreted as a movement towards a "benign regionalism" or an "aggressive regionalism" is a question based on value judgements. The principal aim of this article is to clarify once and for all the nature and the purpose of regionalism and of creating regional trading blocks to be able to distinguish these concepts from other creatures. A review of the main integration schemes leads to the conclusion that the only existing regional trading blocks, as such, is the European Union. Both Mercosur and the Customs Union EU-Tukey are not yet functioning as real trading blocks. Neither NAFTA not the EEA can be considered as trading blocks.