This volume, to which various prominent European and Latin American scholars have contributed, provides critical insight into the politics and economics of relations between the EU and Latin America, particularly Mercosul, and on the significance of such relations for multilateralism and the international order. The events of 11 September shed new light on the analyses provided, and give even more credence to the point made in many chapters regarding the serious obstacles to the creation of an international order firmly based on universally accepted norms and rules in which regional groupings would play a greater role. The book provides a timely reminder of just how important less politically visible but consistent efforts at multilaterally focused regional integration projects can be to counteracting the force of unilateral action and zero-sum power politics.

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership - the Barcelona Process - aims to create integration in the Mediterranean Basin so as to encourage economic development along the Southern rim. This volume takes a critical look at the problems faced by the Process and the likelihood of its success.