The Endogeneity Approach of the Theory of Optimum Currency Areas -What does it mean for ASEAN + 3?

The paper analyzes if and how the experiences of European integration can be used for theprogress of East Asia integration especially of the ASEAN+3 countries1. Of special interest isthe relevance of the new endogeneity approach of monetary integration for East Asia. Thequestion is discussed in theoretical as well as in empirical terms. It can be shown that despiteof the extensive gap between the level and the process of regional integration in Europe andEast Asia there exist some conclusions of the endogeneity approach which can be useful forintegration in East Asia as well. In practical terms it is concluded that monetary integration inEast Asia could make progress via sub grouping of clusters of countries at best with the instrument of a kind of an ‘Asian snake’ similar to the European exchange rate system in the early 70’s.