Goals and Objectives of International Economic Integration: Issues of Theory and Modern Practice

  Regional economic integration has an increasing appeal in modern conditions of increasing regionalization and fragmentation of the global economy and international economic relations and the reform of a number of regional integration associations. The diversity of approaches – in theory and in practice – to defining the goals and objectives of these associations actualizes their understanding and systematization.  The purpose of the article is to explore the transformation of the fundamental foundations of international economic integration in terms of modern goals and objectives of its formation/reform.  It is noted that the formation of regional trade agreements is changing the relationship between the global and regional levels of international trade and its institutional system.  The author comes to the conclusion that modern integration goals have evolved from narrow economic ones. (to create a common market for the growth of trade in the association) to socially oriented (to create a fair, cohesive and sustainable space to improve the quality of life of all citizens).  Without solving social problems, economic integration successes lead to political destabilization.