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Regional Cooperation in South America: Towards a Real Free Movement of People Regime?

Wed, May 23, 10:45am to 12:15pm, TBA

Abstract

This paper examines the principle of open borders through regional legislation on free movement of people and the eventual establishment of a supranational citizenship as it has emerged in South America in the last two decades. With the adoption of free movement treaties, nationals of the countries involved have obtained a new status that, in theory, ends undocumented migration. Free mobility and open borders are of course neither new nor unique to South America. Yet, since the turn of the century regional initiatives have re-emerged and multiplied with strength. Two outcomes, one a reality and the other aspirational, summarize this progress. On the one hand, the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement and Andean Community´s Decision 545 are legal supranational instruments already in place providing for free movement rights. On the other hand, the establishment of a South American Citizenship remains one of the top issues on the regional agenda for the years to come. South America has thus become a vital international actor on regional free movement. This paper investigates the existing regime and considers the challenges, contradictions and possible future of a common supranational citizenship.

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