The United Economic Space: concept and essence

Abstract

The term “United Economic Space” (UES) is used in many international treaties. Generally it aims at integrating the states of certain region into the sphere of common market of goods, services, capitals and working force, into developing of united transport, energy, information systems. Some definitions (as the way to guarantee the aforesaid) include also such elements of the UES as: harmonized legal norms, united infrastructure, money-credit, taxation, trade and custom policy. The preceding stage is usually the formation of Custom Union and United economic territory.
The idea of United European Economic Space (UEES) between the European Union (EU) and Russia emerged in 2001. Then, in 2003 the EU member-states elaborated 4 Common Spaces (Road Maps) without any participation of Russia. (In May 2005 the “Road Map” of UEES was signed with no effect). In 2003 Russia signed the treaty on UES with Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Byelorussia.
The principal point of the process is whether the corresponding European laws might be introduced into the Russian legal system so that the latter would become just a subsidiary to the European laws. Russia opposes such option in principle.
The rich experience of the States of Western Hemisphere should also be investigated. Practically, there are examples of just an ordinary cooperation with real features of integration only within NAFTA (United States, Canada and Mexico as members). Perhaps, the Zone of Free Trade (ALCA) is comparable to it, while the South-American Common market is less successful. The states of Latin America try to create UES (meaning the free flow of capital and working force) with the ASAN. But it remains unclear where this process would lead to.
The idea of formatting Global UES seems to be illusive. The possibility of uniting of different markets into the United (Common) Market appears more practical. Generally, it is likely to have little chance of success, if there is not any supranational governing organ.