The European Union and the Andean Community: a case of failed interregionalism?

Abstract

This thesis investigates the evolution of the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) through the application of ‘complex interregionalism’ over the period 1990-2017. It is an answer to the on-going debate in International Relations on the compatibility between bilateralism and interregionalism. Since the mid-2000s, the EU manifests a preference for bilateral relations. In the eyes of a group of scholars, these relations undermine the EU’s interregional policy. Opponents contend that the two modes of engagement can coexist. The debate is hindered by a lack of theoretical foundation and the limited scope of research. Consequently conclusions are found on insufficiently substantiated assumptions. By applying complex interregionalism however, this thesis provides a theoretical framework while analyzing all three different policy levels at which the EU-CAN relationship is situated: bilateral, subregional and bi-regional. The latter two together constitute the realm of interregional relations. This thesis shows that bilateralism undermines the subregional relationship, but that the encompassing bi-regional level is not affected negatively. To the contrary, the bilateral ties between the EU and Colombia are used to strengthen the partnership situated at the bi-regional level. Both the bilateral and subregional can thus both be exploited by the EU in order to enhance relations at the highest interregional level. This demonstrates that bilateralism and subregionalism are compatible.