Regional integration
Regional integration refers to a process where neighboring states agree to intensify their cooperation through common rules and common institutions. While the European integration process with the European Union (EU) is by far the most extensive example of regional integration, similar processes has been launched both in Africa (African Union), Asia (ASEAN).
Regional integration can be organized either via supranational institutional structures or through intergovernmentaldecision-making, or a combination of both.
Regional integration often starts with a removal of barriers to free trade in the region, increasing the free movement of people, labour, goods, and capital across national borders, reducing the possibility of regional armed conflict and adopting cohesive regional stances on policy issues, such as the environment, climate change and migration.
Regional integration in Europe is by far the most extensive integration process. It started out as a peace project after the end of the second world war (in the 1950s) and was consolidated with the Treaty on the European Union (the Maastricht Treaty), which came into force in November 1993 and established the European Union. Since then it has continued to develop and to adapt to a changing geopolitical and intra-European context.
Examples of NUPI's research areas on regional integration includes:
- The European Union (the EU) and EEA
- The African Union
- Nordic cooperation
- Regional integration in Asia and Eurasia (ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU))
News about regional integration
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The crises threatening the EU today
5 Mar 2021Corona crisis, legitimization crisis and climate crisis. These are merely a few of the obstacles currently facing the EU. How is it coping? And where will the EU find itself in 2025? EU crisis management is in focus in a new book by Prof. Marianne Riddervold (NUPI and HINN)...
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NUPI replaces NRK P2's 'Ekko' this week
7 Dec 2020NUPI has produced ten hours of high quality radio about foreign policy and international relations. The programs will air on NRK P2 during week 50, Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 11.00. Tune in!
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Book launch: EEA and the alternatives – what about NOREXIT?
9 Nov 2020What are the alternatives to the EEA Agreement? What happens if Norway joins the EU, or if the EEA is terminated? A new book edited by Arne Melchior and Frode Nilssen looks into this.
Publications about regional integration
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Publication
: Academic lecture
Norden i verden
Lecture for the MFA trainee course, academic day. -
Publication
: Report
Nordic cooperation amid pandemic travel restrictions
2021Since 2020, the Nordic countries have been confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been a multi-level stress test for the region. The strong basis of open borders and free movement in Nordic cooperation has been questioned by national pandemic measures, including wide travel restrictions. The... -
Publication
: Policy Brief
Nordic partnership choices in a fierier security environment: Towards more alignment
Nordic states’ partnership choices in security and defence are more aligned than they were a decade ago. When Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish government officials now identify key security challenges and partners, and reflect on the potential for Nordic cooperation, they have the same reference...
Research projects about regional integration
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Photograph: NTB Scanpix
Research project
Understanding and Strenthening EU Foreign & Security Poliocy in a Complex and Contested World (JOINT)
2021 (Ongoing)The JOINT project analyses these dynamics while addressing the question of how the EU and its member states can make their foreign and security policy structures more joined-up and sustainable.
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Research project
A new European security and defence architecture in the making What does it look like and what are the implications for Norway? (EURODEFENCE)
2021 - 2024 (Ongoing)This project will study the implications of the new European defence initiatives for Norway particularly, as an allied and closely associated non-member of the EU. Despite the incremental nature of the...
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Photograph: EU media library
Research projectCOOPERATION: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President og the AU, Moussa Faki Mahama.
Shaping a New Africa-Europe Relationship for a post-Covid-19 global order
2020 - 2021 (Ongoing)This collaborative project between NUPI, ACCORD and ECFR aims to stimulate and enrich the dialogue in Africa and Europe on the underlying geopolitical, Covid-19, peace and security and other key developments...