Date:
Friday, May 28, 2010 - 11:00am to 12:45pm
In the face of growing transnational challenges, regional forms of international co-operation are gaining in importance. At the same time, traditional modes of multilateral diplomacy seem to have reached their limits (Copenhagen, Doha). While the European Union constitutes the most advanced form of regional co-operation, the debate on whether it should be seen as a “model” for other regional environments remains far from settled. Instead of preaching the European ideal, focused research should analyse the forms, functions and policy-options of regional co-operation in order to draw meaningful conclusions on the pre-conditions, costs and potential benefits of such frameworks outside the European context.