The article discusses how different regions are coming together to form alliances for economic and political reasons. The European Union (EU) is a major player in this trend, focusing mainly on economic integration. The researchers highlight the shift from old regionalism to new regionalism, where non-state actors are becoming more important. The EU's approach towards sub-regional integration in its broader neighborhood is primarily focused on economic processes, given its status as a large single market. The goal is to understand how regions are working together to create shared rules and institutions, especially in the economic domain.