A integração fronteiriça no Mercosul: histórico, balanço e perspectivas nos 30 anos do bloco

Abstract

Over its 30 years of existence, Mercosur has dealt with border integration in various departments and areas. With the creation of the Working Subgroup n. 18 “Border Integration” (SGT-18) in 2015, the theme gained space in a specific body, with a permanent nature and linked to a decision-making body. In the context of the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Asunción in 2021, the objective of this paper is to analyze the activities of the SGT-18, focusing on discussions and actions around this thematic agenda. The approach intends to examine its current state of development, considering the history of the theme in Mercosur and the challenges for the coming years. The SGT-18 was taken as the priority analytical unit once it’s considered a milestone in the process of institutionalization of this topic in the Mercosur structure. The research method consisted of a bibliographical survey on the subject, a qualitative analysis of primary sources from the institutional structure of the bloc, as well as consultations with key informants of both government action and academic research. The conclusion is that the creation of SGT-18 represented a certain degree of institutionalization in the treatment of border integration in recent years and that this relevance did not imply structural changes in the way this agenda is faced within the bloc.