The integration of the French Caribbean Territorial Authorities into their immediate geographical environment is an ongoing political process that was initiated at the beginning of the 1980s and is gradually being recognised by French legislation. The admission of the territorial authorities to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) presents an interesting case study in international public law and, in particular, the international law of regional cooperation. The participation of the French authorities in the regional organisations within the zone is based on their need for regional insertion. Endogenous development or self-reliant development is a conception of development that integrates a territorial dimension: development 'from below', as opposed to the functional 'top-down' development on which previous practices were based. Generally, associate status covers a variety of realities. It usually involves the will of States or non-sovereign entities to participate in the activities of the concerned organisation.