Introduction: Sustainable Economic Integration in the Asia Context

The present introductory chapter discusses what makes economic integration sustainable and what are the prerequisites for sustainable economic integration. A financial safety net is without any doubts an important prerequisite, as it would allow crisis-stricken EU countries to rely on financial resources for recovery. Other prerequisites are the more even distribution of the gains arising from high growth rates, in particular of wages , and the introduction of clean energy and innovation. Other aspects analyzed include: the focus on food security and investment in land; the transfer of human resources and the impact of non-tariff barriers between the EU and Asian countries.