Considering the gaps existing amongst Member Countries, the Blueprint is not a
detailed agreement with clearly defined targets based on lengthy up-front negotiations
unlike that of the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA). NAFTA is a narrow, yet,
a deep integration project and is also not about ‘community building’. In the case of the
AEC, there are elements and details that can be realized only when necessary agreement
and support have emerged out of greater confidence and comfort in the process and
broadening of domestic constituencies. These are accommodated by the Blueprint’s
pre-agreed flexibility provisions.