L'ASSOCIAZIONE TRA CEE E SAMA E I SUOI EFFETTI SUL PROCESSO DI INTEGRAZIONE ECONOMICA IN AFRICA

This article analyzes the impact of the Association between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the African Associated States and Madagascar (AASM) on the moves towards economic integration in Africa. The need for more economic cooperation and integration in the continent is discussed following the recommendations of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) of the United Nations. Subsequently, attention is given to the existing cooperation and integration schemes, with special reference for the ones involving some of the AASM (table 1 gives, with reference to the AASM, the membership of the schemes considered, and table 2 gives the location of the AASM in the framework proposed by ECA for Africa South of the Sahara). Afterwards, the evolution of the Association between EEC and AASM, from the Treaty of Rome to the second Convention of Yaounde, is briefly discussed, pointing out also the changing content of these documents with respect to the possibility for the AASM to form integration schemes with each other, or with neighbouring third countries. The impact of the Association on African integration is discussed at two levels. First, attention is given to the present situation, compared with the framework proposed by ECA. It is possible to conclude that the Association has had a favourable effect in Central Africa (where there are only AASM), a rather negative effect in West Africa, and a negligible effect in East Africa. With respect to integration and cooperation schemes within the AASM, the conclusion is that the Association for sure has had a favourable impact. Subsequently, the opinion of UNCTAD on this question is discussed, arriving at similar conclusions. Attention is given also to the point of view of other Authors, among whom Robson and Tinbergen. The solution to the problem is seen in the probable enlargement of the Association after 1975, following Britain's entry into the EEC. However, if an enlarged Association in Africa South of the Sahara, including most developing countries of the area, will cause no further obstacle to wider and better economic cooperation and integration arrangements, the problems vis-à-vis all other developing countries caused by the discriminatory contents of the Association will remain. This applies in particular to all Commonwealth countries outside Africa, which very likely will loose all preferences with Britain, while getting nothing from the EEC, or very little, in case the generalized system of preferences