UNASUR is an interesting concept and a big step for South America, especially in the hopes of stabilizing some of the economies in the region. For regional ideologues UNASUR is the realization of Simon Bolivar's "Gran Colombia" concept.
The question is that with the creation of the South American Bank, waving intercontinental travel requirements, the proposal to build the inter oceanic highway and other integration mechanisms will this be the next "EU" where they have a common market and coin? Though the market is a no brainer it's the coin which would be the real step here. I would venture to say that this is the long term goal, though there are some political issues (i.e aggressors like Chavez) that need to be worked out before integration on that scale takes place. Also, the EU took close to 30 years to become a reality, so UNASUR is a decade or more away. Right now this collection of states only exists on paper, but I think the leadership in South America right now, da Silva, Uribe, Correa, Kichner, Lugo and company seem to be a new wave of leadership that could get this done.
As for the DR's inclusion into UNASUR, the possibility exists, but the chances are slight for no other reason other than the DR is currently part of two other regional communities, and observing member on several others, so in order to integrate in UNASUR calls for the DR to then have to redefine itself on a regional level. The DR is a main member of the DR-CAFTA, a regional entity and is also part of CARIFORUM, a regional entity formed with the English speaking Caribbean.
Inclusion into UNASUR, as a full member I would suppose, would call for reform by the Dominican government, as many nations have done to gain access to the EU. The DR would have to change immigration rules, trade policy, laws and legal structures. All possible and it would be interesting to see if in 5, 10 or 15 years as the regions make up changes if the DR makes the move.
The question is, how does the creation of UNASUR affect the DR's trade relations with these South American nations? And if the DR were to consider membership to UNASUR, would it be a beneficial move for the DR?
Finally, I saw
UNASUR's flag and it, for whatever reason, reminds me of the USSR's old flag and China's current flag. It's red and yellow. Could this be a nod to some of the region's socialist leanings?
Either way, it's an interesting topic for overall regional integration.
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Unasur comes to town
