This project deals with inter-regionalism in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. It seeks to explain variation in the nature and degree of inter-regionalism, and how inter-regionalism is related to and impacts on multilateralism, regionalism and bilateralism. The intention is to generate new knowledge, but at the same time build on the experiences gained during two recently concluded UNU-CRIS research projects, both dealing with the role of the EU in inter-regional processes around the world: EU as a global player. The politics of interregionalism (edited by Fredrik Söderbaum and Luk Van Langenhove, Routledge, 2006) and EU and the Global South (edited by Fredrik Söderbaum and Patrik Stålgren, Lynne Rienner, forthcoming). The project will focus upon the possible roles of inter-regionalism in economic multilateralism and political multilateralism. The project runs in collaboration with the GARNET network.

Contact persons: Luk Van Langenhove and Fredrik Söderbaum