THE EU DEVELOPMENT POLICY AS A MODEL: AN IMPLICATION FOR SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The European Union (EU) development policy is a model planning framework for partner countries, the foundation of which can be traced back to the 1957 Treaty of Rome. This study is an investigation of the EU’s policy development, tracing it beginning as a model and its implication with partner countries. Moreover, this article assesses the EU’s development ties with South Asian countries. Qualitative and empirical methods are applied in order to generate answers to questions about the literature gaps in research on the EU’s developmental role in South Asia. This article’s initial findings suggest that the EU is a leading aid donor and it is even bringing a significant change to South Asia in the following areas: awareness for human rights, the promotion of democracy, sustainable development, poverty, and other SDGs goals.