Managing global interdependence on the Central American Isthmus: EU-Central America Interregional Relations

The European Union (EU)-Central American interregional relationship has often been referred to as “one of the most successful examples of EU relations with any sub-region in the world” (former Commissioner for External Relations Christopher Patten, 2003). In summer 2013, the EU and Central America agreed on an Association Agreement, which was the first of its kind concluded between regions. The EU has now also established a region-to-region delegation in Managua, Nicaragua. This paper analyses the EU’s interests in pursuing such relations and argues that it mostly does so in order to promote liberal internationalism. Data was acquired through a literature review and – primarily – a large number of interviews conducted in Europe as well as Central America.