Regional Cooperation in the Area of Border Integración: A Caribbean Perspective

Transcription

1 Regional Cooperation in the Area of Border Integración: A Caribbean Perspective Mark Kirton Consultor SELA Economic and Technical Cooperation XXIV Meeting of International Cooperation Directors for Latin America and the Caribbean. Regional Cooperation in the area of Border Integration San Salvador, El Salvador 30 and 31 May 2013 SP/XXIV-RDCIALC/Di N 7-13

2 Copyright SELA, May All rights reserved. Printed in the Permanent Secretariat of SELA, Caracas, Venezuela. The Press and Publications Department of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA must authorise reproduction of this document, whether totally or partially, through The Member States and their government institutions may reproduce this document without prior authorisation, provided that the source is mentioned and the Secretariat is aware of said reproduction.

3 Dr. Mark Kirton

4 To examine the existing policies, programmes and mechanisms in the Latin American and Caribbean region which advance border integration. To discuss the best practices and positive experiences of Latin American and Caribbean countries in the field of border integration, as well as challenges. To examine the collaborative efforts pursued amongst Latin American and Caribbean countries and bilateral and multilateral development agencies, as well as further opportunities for international cooperation.

5 Global intensification of new regionalism since the 1990s demonstrates a recognition of the value of regional integration processes in the promotion of regional and national competitiveness and development (Devlin and Estevadeordal 2001) Therefore re-emerging significance of borders particularly within the context of Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) demonstrate commitment to regional cooperation The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), The Common Market of The South (MERCOSUR), The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), The Central American Integration System (SICA), The Amazonian Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

6 Literature review Concept of border and its evolution Importance of Border Integration within the context of Latin America and the Caribbean Factors influencing effective Border Integration The status of Border Integration amongst the states of CARICOM which share land borders with Latin American states Belize-Guatemala, Belize-Mexico Haiti-Dominican Republic Guyana-Venezuela, Guyana-Brazil, Guyana-Suriname Suriname-Brazil Maritime issues amongst CARICOM island-states sharing maritime space Recommendations Conclusion

7 Ratzel (1897)- the state is a living organism, the border or boundary is the skin of the living state and, like the epidermis of animals and plants, it serves to provide defence and allow exchanges to occur. Everardo Backheuser (1952)- the concept of the living frontier : frontiers or borders are not static, but are like flexible diaphragms which move in response to the relative pressure exerted by the nations on each side of the border. Asiwaju (1996)- from a transnational viewpoint, there are inalienable linkages and interactions between border regions of adjacent states. While the development of one s own side of the border is the usual approach of governments in Latin America, the national development of a border region demands the perception and the acknowledgement of the entire area irrespective of the intersovereignty boundary running through it. the need for a peaceful exploration, exploitation and presentation of indivisible transborder natural resources the management of the associated transborder human activities a proper utilization of the cultural advantages provided by the ubiquitous presence of transborder populations

8 Shrinking borders have offered increased access to new ideas, new cultural products and has facilitated greater understanding among peoples. Wilson and Donnan (1998)- international borders are becoming so porous that they no longer fulfil their historical role as barriers to the movement of goods, ideas and people, and as markers of the extent and power of the state. While border lines have remained largely intact their functionality has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Boundaries have become increasingly permeable to movement in the contemporary world. Intensification of trade linkages, the mobility of people as a result of ease of travel and the progressive similarity of culture and communications Border no longer seen as a rigid line denoting the separation between specific territories under the sovereignty of each state. Strihan (2004)- borders seen as transition zones or areas in which the characters and influences of two or more different regions come together.

9 Oliveros (2002): linearity -knowing the exact limits of the jurisdiction over which a state exercises its sovereignty (fixed interpretation) zonality - captures the dynamism of socioeconomic and cultural activities occurring on either side of the border. These dynamics catalyse cross-border flows of goods, people and ways of life, which lead to interdependence and stimulate the development of a common cultural space. (fluid and intangible interpretation) Diener and Hagen (2009); Kirton (2004)- within the context of globalisation- the existence of borderless communities or societies

10 This study therefore posits that: A border is a complex phenomenon referring to a space for shared action in which dynamic social, economic and cultural relationships lead to its constant evolution in space and time. Border integration therefore refers to the active intensification of these border relationships made possible through treaties and bi- or multilateral agreements, in order to further develop border territories Conde Martínez 2001, as cited in Rhi-Sausi and Coletti (2009: 183)- the goal of Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) is to develop relations between neighbouring territorial authorities as naturally as if there were no frontier. they have evolved into areas which by virtue of complex cultural encounters, lead to the dispelling of stereotypes and therefore the maintenance of peace (Sausi and Coletti 2009).

11 To offset local and regional developmental asymmetries. Crucial in Latin America, one of the most unequal regions in the world (UN News Centre 2010). LAC has historically adopted centrally-planned development models, which have failed to incorporate them into the national economy. border integration enhances the economic viability and sociocultural wellbeing of these territories thereby improving overall national and regional development To strengthen overall regional integration. Foster collaboration Build solidarity To increase LAC s contribution to the global economy. Improve competitiveness Diversify goods and services Oliveros (2002)- border areas are gateways to trade with other regions

12 Administrative, institutional and legal capacities Physical infrastructure and transportation Immigration and other security mechanisms Multi-stakeholder (public-private) partnerships

13 Relationship overshadowed by territorial dispute & environmental degradation but progress has been made in BI Maintenance of peace in the Adjacency Zone Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone (OAS/AZ Office) The promotion of Sustainable Tourism in the AZ Bi-national Tourism Working Group Belize-Guatemala Border Zone Cross-border movement Highway from Belize s Southern Highway to the Belize-Guatemala border Role of NGOs, Help for Progress Cocoa production, beekeeping

14 Both members of SICA and CELAC Cross-border movement Second official border-crossing point at Chetumal in Mexico, construction of a bridge and highway Basic amenities Research on water quality and quantity of Rio Hondo Basin, improvement in electricity supply Environmental cooperation binational early warning system for the Rio Hondo River to detect and mitigate flooding Security Monitoring border Mexico lending expertise by training Belizean Police Committee to Combat Drug Trafficking and the High Level Group on Border Security (GANSEF)

15 Relationship traditionally characterised by both contention and interdependence Cross-border movement Twice a week the border opens allowing for crossborder commerce Food Security Progressio- provides funding, training to farmers Agricultural sanitation reglations- agreement between the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture and the Inter- American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Environmental sustainability Green Border or Frontera Verde programme reforestation, sustainable resource management

16 Traditional territorial conflict, little formal BI Trade January 2007, the Contract of Sale for the provision of petroleum and petroleum products to Guyana October 2009, rice trade agreement under PetroCaribe Agriculture Project for Improving the Cold Chain for Non-Traditional and Dairy Sectors received funding during the ALBA Summit in Venezuela on June 24, 2009 Security cooperation between their law enforcement agencies to stem drug and small arms trafficking Venezuela shares expertise Pledge to establish Mixed Committee on Drugs Socio-cultural cooperation Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVPP) Shelter for Homeless Persons Infrastructure construction of a gas pipeline from Venezuela, through Guyana to Suriname, a road linking Venezuela and Guyana cooperation in power generation

17 Guyana-Brazil Frontier Committee, Mixed Border Commission, Guyana-Brazil Group on Consular Cooperation Infrastructural integration International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA) for the Movement of Passengers and Cargo September 2009, Agreement for the Establishment of a Special Border and Transport Regime for Lethem (Guyana) and Bon Fim (Brazil) Takutu River Bridge Working Group on Infrastructure considering upgrading of a road from Linden to Lethem, a modern deep-water port and hydro-electric projects Health Education Frontier Schools Project-Portuguese-English languages training

18 Security Joint Commission on Police Cooperation and Drugs Bilateral Defence Working Group and three sub-groups to treat with matters relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force, training and education at Brazilian Military institutions and joint military operations in the border areas Food production Guyana-Brazil Project for the Development of the Aquaculture Sector Technical Cooperation Project for the Production of Soybean Guyana-Brazil Project for the Geological/Geodiversity Mapping Trade Guyana-Brazil Partial Scope Agreement

19 Traditional land, maritime, river disputes Guyana-Suriname Border Commissions Cross-border transportation Corentyne River Bridge Ferry service Natural resource management mining, exploration and exploitation of oil and gas wildlife development forestry and land management Security Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) collaborates with Suriname Customs and Excise Department to stem mineral smuggling Ministries of Home Affairs of Guyana and Justice and Police of Suriname continue to pursue cooperation mechanisms in an effort to address backtrack operations

20 Infrastructural integration Construction of Trans-Atlantic highway Agriculture three agricultural agreements in 2012 to execute various agrarian projects, improve food security and foster knowledge Crop analysis to be undertaken in Suriname before technical assistance is provided by Brazil Energy Memorandum of Understanding to examine the hydroelectric potential of Suriname. Suriname is expected to increase its energy output by 50% and Brazilian enterprises also assist Suriname in the area of oil exploration and gold production and technical experts from both countries regularly collaborate in these areas Military cooperation Training, joint projects

21 Transport Fast Ferry service Harmonisation of regional maritime transport policies Tourism Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has been convening the Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development Potential regional tax for Cruise ships Environmental protection Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) Regional Activity Centres (RACs) Integrated resource management The Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) in 2001 ACP Fish II/CRFM regional technical consultation and regional training sessions held early in 2013 Security Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)

22 Formalisation and institutionalisation of border cooperation through decentralised organisations specifically aimed at executing border integration (AEBR 2010) Collaboration amongst a broad spectrum of public and private, state and non-state actors, bottom-up approach Decentralised funding Sustained investment in institutional and human resource capacity-building of border commissions Bilingual Language courses Infrastructure and border security mechanismscontribution of IIRSA Importance of Regional and International Institutions Role of the media in dispelling stereotypes Address diversification, regional inequalities

23 Belize-Guatemala More confidence- and solidarity-building projects must be implemented until and after the longstanding territorial dispute is resolved. The common interest of the two nations in developing tourism sustainably must be used as a catalyst for collaboration in the environmental realm. The work of NGOs in the Adjacency Zone must be facilitated as they tend to play a crucial role in fostering development in disenfranchised areas. Belize-Mexico Continued cooperation in the fight against transnational crime to improve public safety, police force training and narco-trafficking expertise Continued infrastructural development to facilitate trade.

24 Haiti-Dominican Republic To bring harmony to this trade relationship, efforts must be made on the Haitian side to boost agricultural production, increase local content in manufacturing and improve governance. This is needed to increase the gains from crossborder trade, bring prosperity to border communities and balance out border inequalities. Guyana and Venezuela A solution to the historical land dispute must be found and the results respected. More confidence-building initiatives. Cooperation under PetroCaribe, ALBA and other regional initiatives can be used to strengthen the bilateral relationship. Guyana-Brazil Potential for cultural cooperation, in particular with regard to protecting the rights and heritage of indigenous communities. Efforts must be made on the part of Guyana to build its production capacity and quality in order to offset its trade imbalance with Brazil and enhance the overall bilateral border relationship.

25 Guyana-Suriname Potential to intensify border cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, natural resource management, tourism, environment, security among others. More confidence-building projects are needed to deepen border integration. Guyana-Venezuela-Suriname-Brazil Opportunities offered by Brazil s hosting of the World Cup Football Championships in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, should be utilised for multi-destination tourism. Special visa arrangements should be put in place for extra-regional visitors to engage in cross-border travel. Twinning of border towns

26 CARICOM island-nations CSME permits an integrated maritime policy Greater cooperation in counter-narcotics trading, fisheries and environmental protection Collaboration in tourism development by imposing a regional maritime tax for cruise ships for example Tapping into international networks for funding, and capacity-building

27 The need to build national capacities through endogenous strategies in order to allow states to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by border integration It is critical that public policy be structured to ensure sustained engagement among border communities and that the efficient coordination of activities and programmes ensure positive and sustainable outcomes.

28 AEBR Cross-Border Cooperation in Latin America: Contribution to the regional integration process- Final Report. October Devlin, Robert and Antoni Estevadeordal What s New in the New regionalism in the Americas? IADB Working Paper. May Kirton, Mark Overcoming Cultural Diversity in Borderless Communities. Presentation to UNESCO, Guyana. University of Guyana. Oliveros, Luis Alberto The concept of borders in the context of andean integration and its future development. Comunidad Andina. February /borders.htm UN News Centre Latin America and the Caribbean is world s most unequal region, UN report shows. July 26, Accessed April 18, story.asp?newsid=35428&cr=latin+america#.uxjukbwg2so