南方共同市场的差异化整合 ： 与欧盟联系的风险和机遇

CIDOB Notes Internacionales 272, published in April 2022, discusses the journey and challenges of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in its pursuit of regional integration in Latin America. Since its inception in 1991, MERCOSUR has struggled with balancing the diverse interests of its member states, primarily due to their significant differences in size, population, economic weight, and development stages.

The text emphasizes the importance of differentiated integration, a concept that accommodates diversity through various types such as multi-speed, variable geometry, and à la carte differentiation. These approaches allow for flexibility in the integration process, allowing member states to pursue common goals at different paces and without the need for unanimous agreement, thus preventing paralysis. The focus is on addressing internal asymmetries and maintaining sovereignty while enhancing cooperation among members.

MERCOSUR's evolution is analyzed within the broader context of Latin American regionalism, which has experienced several waves since the mid-20th century. Initially, the region sought to create larger markets as a defense mechanism against industrialized countries. The creation of MERCOSUR marked a phase of liberalization aimed at improving international competitiveness and increasing bargaining power through export-led growth. However, this model was challenged by the global economic crisis, leading to the emergence of post-liberal regionalism, emphasizing political objectives and greater autonomy from traditional hegemonies.

The report underscores MERCOSUR's role as the organization with the greatest potential in Latin America and its significance as an indicator of the health of regional integration in the region. It highlights the importance of differentiated integration in managing tensions and preserving sovereignty, especially in addressing the asymmetries inherent in MERCOSUR's structure.

In relation to the European Union, the text argues that the EU-MERCOSUR association agreement should prioritize reducing development gaps to facilitate opportunities for regional interaction and cooperation. It stresses the need to address asymmetries between member states to avoid exacerbating inequalities within the bloc.

Overall, CIDOB Notes Internacionales 272 provides a comprehensive overview of MERCOSUR's integration efforts, the challenges it faces, and the strategies employed to overcome them, particularly through differentiated integration. The report also touches on the evolving landscape of Latin American regionalism and the implications for future cooperation between MERCOSUR and the European Union.