Tribune | 27/11/2006 

Regional integration, as in the wall behind which to take cover from globalisation's evils whilst reaping the benefits? Or the latter's Trojan Horse? Either way, there is no denying the fact that in europe, it is in the doldrums. Elsewhere, it enjoys the favour of asian and South American Leaders, as a weapon in the "anti-imperialist"� struggle for the latter. At a time when the Doha round of trade negotiations, suspended since July, gives way to a multiplication of bilateral trade agreements, regional political coordination has never been more relevant. Two case studies bearing on South America and Asia and which Notre Europe is about to publish come to confirm it.

Mid-november, members of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, 21 Asian members plus the United States, Chile, Canada and Mexico) prepare to meet in Viet Nam. The 10 ASEAN members will gather in December, followed by the "ASEAN +