South-South Agreements in the Framework of North-South Integration: the Case of Morocco in the Euro-Mediterranean process

Abstract

The hub and spokes structure that characterises Euro-Mediterranean relations is often attributed to the lack of integration among Arab countries. Successive regional projects implemented in areas like the Maghreb have been supported by empirical evidence on the potential welfare effects of trade and the costs of non-integration. However, the high interest in these aspects contrasts with a limited effort to investigate the root causes of non-integration. The aim of this work is to understand the reasons behind the apparent contradiction between the potential of South-South regionalism and the limited scope of its achievements in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The case of Morocco shows the role of preferential agreements in the continuity of economic relations prior to decolonisation and the contribution of South-South agreements to the reinforcement of the prevailing schemes of North-South integration in the area.