euro 312 presentation is eu integration model suitable for the south asian association for regional...
TRANSCRIPT
Euro 312 Presentation
Is EU integration model suitable for the South Asian
Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC)?
By
William Lama
9th June 2006
Outline
About SAARC
Why should South Asia Integrate?
Why EU model?
South Asian scenario: Vision towards South Asian Union (SAU)
Economic Integration
Political Integration
Key Challenges
About SAARC
Established in 1985
SAARC Charter was signed by 7 Countries
Bangladesh Afghanistan
Bhutan
Ind ia
Maldives Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Observer
Observer status holder countries
SAARCJapan
United States China European Union
South Korea
Charter
Objectives:
Improve Quality of life
Accelerate economic growth
Promote social progress, collective self reliance
cooperation among members in international forums.
Basis of cooperation
Principles: Sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political
independence.
Non-interference
General provisions: Summit as the highest authority
Decision on unanimity
Bilateral and contentious issues excluded
South Asia Now
Massive poverty-46% of total population
Regional instability Terrorism Separatism Kashmir issue
Low intra-regional trade 4.5 % of total trade of the region
Address common issues Tsunami Earthquake and other natural disasters
World Bank, 2005
South Asia22%
Rest of the World
78%
South Asia40%
Rest of the World
60%
Rest of the World
54%
South Asia46%
Share of SAARC in World Population
Share of SAARC in World illiteracy
Share of South Asia in World poverty
Why South Asia should integrate?
Economic benefits
Cooperation and integration fosters
market expansion for goods and services
economies of scale
attract more foreign direct investment
benefits of technology and knowledge transfer
higher productivity
Economic development
Political benefits
Regional Stability
Security
Why EU model?
It has worked well for the EU
40+ years to form EU
An example of the highest form of integration in the world Intra-EU trade 63-70%, Growth, FDI, growth in HDI Example Ireland, Poland and Greece Economic and political union
Integration with institutionalisation Economic integration to creation of European Identity
EU-SAARC bilateral relations
EU is likely to gain observer status of SAARC
EU willing to assist SAARC implement EU integration model
Expertise
Technical assistance
Will it Work for SAARC?
Economic integration
possible
Political integration
The South Asian Parliamentary Sovereignty
Inter-governmental or supranational
Political Integration difficult without the creation of South Asian identity.
The Formation of South Asian Union
The steps and estimated time
Free Trade Area 2017
Custom Union 2027
South Asian Parliament 2027
Common Market 2047
Economic and Monetary Union 2059
SAARC to South Asian Union
Key challenges
Establishing South Asia as free trade area
Kashmir Issue and atomic nations
Implementation of SAARC agreements
Combating Corruption
Reducing Poverty, Inequality and Enhancing Human Security
Thank You