In the context of Regional cooperation , The European Union is the best example. EU member countries are united under a Flag with European Parliament, single constitution and single currency for their commercial interests. It must be mentions that under a single flag and constitution, the EU member countries have their individual identity, system and constitution. EU citizens can travel, study and work wherever they want across the 25 European Union countries without carrying a passport and without being stopped for checks at the borders. The EU gives freedom of movement as a fundamental right to its citizens and working constantly to get rid of all discrimination based on nationality.
As we approach the dawn of the third millennium, a look back over the 50 years of progress towards European integration shows that the European Union is a historic success. Countries, which were hitherto enemies, and in most cases, ravaged by the most horrific atrocities this continent has ever known, today share a common currency, the euro, and manage their economic and commercial interests within the framework of joint institutions.
People are free to move and students to work within a frontier-free internal area. The foundations of common foreign and defense policies have been laid, and moves are already afoot to take common policies of solidarity further in the social, regional and environmental fields, as well as in the fields of research and transport.
Europe is no longer merely a power that has retained its place in the world. It is a reference point and a hope for peoples attached to peace and the respect of human rights. The idea of creating a Community of pacific interests. In so doing Some European countries extended a hand to yesterday's enemies and erased the bitterness of war and the burden of the past. The past cannot be erased but the dream of French foreign minister Robert Schuman (as on 9 May 1950) comes true and now well known as European Union.

In the sense of Regional co-operation; Eu can be a role model for South Asian countries. For a United Europe, age-old opposition of France and Germany was an obstacle but for development, civilization, and peace and ultimately for A UNITED EUROPE - both France and Germany eliminate their age-old opposition. That was a bitter history that both France and Germany were head on in first and second World Wars but now this is also a history that both France and Germany are cooperating with each other and with other EU member countries for Europe.
A region becomes like a nation but the member nations don't lost their individual Identity. All member countries are co-operating with each other on several issues and points. Having United EU is Emerging as an economic power in the world. EU member countries are not only helping one another but also helping the world in every sence.this is because; EU member countries are united under a flag.
It this context, EU can be a role model for South Asian countries.
Firstly there are a lot of problems before South Asian countries and these South Asian countries fail to resolve such problems due to lack of mutual co-operation.
South Asian countries are on individual way in every sector. Every South Asian country has there own industrial, taxation, foreign and trade policies. This policies Difference is the key factor for nil co-operation among South Asian countries.
There are two regional organizations South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but these organizations are not so effective. We are saying about co-operation but all SAARC and ASEAN member countries don't give the MOST FAVORED NATION status to one another.
SAARC and ASEAN member countries talk on bilateral level but don't talk on multilateral level on various issues.
In EU, all countries talks on multilateral level and they have a common policy on every issue.

EU can be a role model for South Asia in many fields such free trade, eradication of poverty in the region, Combat diseases and achieve primary education for there children.
1- frontier-free Trade area - in EU, there is a frontier-free internal area for peoples to work, travel and study. In South Asia there is no such frontier-free area. The major problem for South Asian countries is that these countries have no such frontier-free area even for trade purpose. Every South Asian country has it's own policy.comlicated foreign trade policy, heavy custom duty on products and restriction on trade of the Sensitive products are the major cause for the low growth of trade among South Asian countries.
Though South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is proposed for free trade but SAFTA Will to enter into force on 1 January 2006 in the region. In this agreement under the Trade Liberalization Programme scheduled for completion in ten years by 2016 and the customs duties on products from the region will be progressively reduced. It must be mention that frontier-free internal area is not proposed; a Free Trade Area is proposed. What it is the definition of this Free Trade Area? If frontier-free area will not exist then there is no meaning of Free Trade Area. Either this, SAFTA comes in to force and zero customs duties on products are not proposed for this region. This means that in such conditions, SAFTA may not be successful in its goal.
Common currency-adopting a common currency for South Asia will prove a major milestone in consolidating the region's money exchange policy. Euro, which made a tame start, has now consolidated well ahead of the U.S. dollar. After adopting a common currency South Asia will emerge as a strong group politically and fiscally.
The single currency will change the dimension of international monetary management.
2-Eradication of poverty in the region - this is the key issue in witch South Asian countries must co-operate with one another. The right to work must be executing for eradication of poverty but there is no clear policy on this subject. Though South Asian countries are doing on their national level but in context of the region, there are no sufficient efforts. South Asian countries may open their frontier for their citizens to work in all South Asian countries. Individual no Asian country will eradicate the poverty but when all South Asian countries co-operate, the goal of eradication of poverty in the region can be achieved.
3-Combat diseases- with mutual Co-operation, South Asian countries may combat diseases like HIV, Polio and other. After Africa, South Asian countries have a large number of HIV positives. In this region Polio is still active and could not eradicate completely. Mutual Co-operation in research and help one another can put this region on a front foot in medical field .for example both India and China are Individual working to develop a Vaccine to prevent HIV/AIDS. If both countries co-operate each other in this field then success graph may be higher. Either this there are many diseases, witch can be eradicate with mutual co-operation.
4-People-to-People contacts - visa restrictions cannot promote People-to-people contacts in this region. No visa and no passport policy can promote to develop People-to-People contacts in this region like as in EU.South Asian countries may open there frontiers for their citizens to move anywhere without Passport and visa. Here it must be mention that Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were
Were one county before 1947 and after partition many families leave their house and properties. Now the situation is like this - a family member is in Pakistan and a family member is in India. They cannot meet without visa. In this region, the logic behind his argument that such citizens must have passport and a visa to meet there relatives.
5-Co existence and peace-The major role of Regional co-operation will reflect to reduce an accidental nuclear war situation. In past, India and Pakistan was head on to fight but if the idea of Regional co-operation comes true then this fear will automatically reduced.
India, Pakistan and China spent a large amount of money for their security concerns in their budget. It is very unfortunate that all three countries feared from one another and South Asia becomes a hot spot for next world war.
If these countries spent their money for social welfare in spite of defenses then that will be a milestone in this region. Lets suppose that if all country reduce their defense budget and spend this money not only for their citizens but also for help one another then the picture of this region will be batter.
6-Co-operation on International level - Either China no South Asian country is permanent member of United Nations Security Council. As India help china to get membership in world trade Organization. Like this if South Asian countries make a Union like EU then their international interests will be protected by their mutual co-operation.
On many events, South Asian countries defeated in United Nations on many issues. Having united, South Asian countries will emerge as an international power .it must be mention that two EU members Britain and France are permanent member of UN Security Council. As UN SC is proposed for a reform then South Asian countries will be in gain because at least one seat of permanent member will be granted for this South Asian region.

Problems adopting EU system by South Asian countries-
There are many points on witch the South Asian countries cannot agree with one another. In Europe, all the countries follow a democratic system. It is not true of South Asia. If we talk about SAARC members the most of member countries don't have a democratic system. Recently democratic system has broken in Nepal. Violence and Corruption are obstacles to develop a democratic system in this region.
And the human rights record in many South Asian countries is dismal. "Mutual sensitivity" will take a long time to come into existence in the region. Without China, we can imagine the complete South Asia and China is not democratic country.
At present, it does not seems that South Asian countries will agree on a frontier-free internal area, Single constitution, single parliament and a single currency. On a single system, South Asian countries will not agree at least this time. If it was happened then first the SAARC member countries will form a single parliament and will adopt a single currency. The South Asian countries feared that if they adopt a single constitution and a single parliament then this will be an encroachment on their Individual identity. They think that a single constitution and a single parliament will hurt their internal Infrastructure. The economy of the South Asian countries is not ready to adopt a single currency.
Due to their security concern, South Asian countries will not open their frontier for other South Asian country. India and Pakistan is on the way to create People-to-People contacts via bus service but this is an exception. No other road link is in this region for rest countries.
Either this, all countries are feared that freedom to move may help terrorist to mobilize in this region.


It will take a long time to understand that mutual co-operation cannot be executed without creating a friendly environment. South Asian countries will have to Eradicate their opposition witch is not as bitter as it was between in France and Germany.
For their common interests, South Asian countries will have to join their hand.
South Asian countries will have to compromise on several issues and for this EU will part a role of as the pathfinder for South Asian countries in every manner.
After world war second, Europe was almost vanished but in 50 years, European country make a new and mighty Europe being united under a flag.

That day will come that the world will see a United South Asia. That time will come in near future when South Asian countries will say that if European counties develop a united and strong region then why not South Asian countries develop such a region in South Asia!