ABSTRACT
This chapter examines connections between the EU and the various multilateral, intergovernmental, subregional groupings that operate in and around it, with particular emphasis on groupings that surfaced after the end of the Cold War. The interactions between EU integration and sub-regional co-operation have mainly been due to the process and problems of EU enlargement. The chapter focuses on those post-1989 groupings which have had more direct involvement in the EU's eastward expansion. The 'eastern' enlargement of the EU raised obvious questions about the relevance of the subregional groupings which had the closest links to the EU pre-accession. The EU's attitude towards subregional co-operation has been generally supportive. 'New' subregional groupings have been both products of and modest influences on the post-Cold War European order. Interplay with the EU has mainly been a consequence of the EU enlargement process. Finally, the European Commission's involvement with subregional groupings seems to have become noticeably more visible and pro-active.
