ECO: Tactical and Pragmatist Alies or Strategic and Interest Orinted Rivals

Structural and geopolitical developments in the late twentieth century created a new era, the explanation of which requires a new urderstanding. In this turbulent era, the establishment of regional organization has become a dominant idea motivating nation- states which seek to deal effectively with the pressures resulting from globalization and to consolidate thair power. However, the structrual understanding of regional integration necessitates a historical knowledge of transformations which have occurred at the world level. Economic cooperation organization (ECO) which was established about thirty years ago have been exposed to many obstacles and challenges in its process of integration. The main question posed by the anthors is that what are the main reasons for the lack of integration among ECO's members? The hypothesis made to answer the question is that geoplitical, geoeconomic, normative perceptual and geoplitical challenges are the most important obstacles existing in the process of its integration. Also, the lack of the logic of functional, normative and procedural relevance, dominance of a competitive and abstract approach and the tactical and instrumental attitude of member states towards this organization are among other factors creating serious challenges for ECO in achieving its goals. The authors use new regionalism, integration and comparative methodology to test their hypothesis. The findings of research show that due to factors such as different perceptions of security and threat by member states, their different levels of development, and current regional and international developments, the members are more interested in extra organization alliances.