Regional Integration among the Maghreb Countries and Free Trade with the European Union

Regional Integration among the Maghreb Countries and Free Trade with the European Union: A Challenge for Both Sides of the Mediterranean

The Maghreb countries face two possible ways for integration: Intra-Maghreb integration and Free Trade with the European Union. This paper analyses the opportunity of each project of economic integration. It investigates whether these two possibilities of economic integration are complements, substitudes or independent. The analysis is based on theoretical arguments, practical experiences and the characteristics of the economies involved. Valuable lessons for the implementation of the integration project in the region are drawn from past experiences of integration in the Maghreb, together with the reasons for their failure. (JEL Classification: F, L5, 055)