ABSTRACT
This chapter examines regionalism, and the different types of partnership inherent in regional cooperation arrangements, more closely. It reviews the growing importance of such partnerships as frameworks for expanding lateral - as opposed to vertical - forms of development cooperation. Regional trading blocs have been described as ‘natural’ partnerships, since neighbours could be expected to trade disproportionately with each other even in the absence of formal arrangements. In the case of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), North American Free-Trade Agreement and other groupings, there are no such axes at all, but emerging webs of equitable partnership. The APEC forum is the best current example, which could prove to be a model for regionalism elsewhere. APEC was an initiative promoted by Australia in 1989, partly inspired by the experience of the quasi-governmental Pacific Economic Cooperation Council. APEC development cooperation requires further definition and refinement.
