Cooperación europea, gobernanza e inserción en los países andinos

Abstract

The expansionism of the European Union (EU) has been accompanied by development cooperation as a political tool. This article analyzes how the EU has used foreign aid to insert itself into Andean countries, and gradually penetrate their markets to move towards the establishment of a free trade area. Through altruistic justifications that come along with donations and assistance, the European bloc has been able to strengthen its relations and friendship ties with the beneficiaries of its programs; thereby building a
reputation as a fair and ethical partner. This research presents a historical analysis of each of the stages through which trade relations and cooperation between both parties have gone through, beginning in the 70s. In a world where there is not a single leading power at the international level, one can no longer speak of absolute hegemony, but of governance of different spaces. In this sense, development assistance is a tool that can be used to govern, lead and influence.