The subject of the study is the integration priorities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The aim of the article is to identify differences in integration priorities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and to identify common aspirations in the regions. Methodology (method). Achieve the goal and solve the outlined tasks in the research process used general and special methods: logical, analysis and synthesis, generalization and quantitative comparison, visualization. Results. The main differences between the integration priorities of Europe, the Middle East and Africa are considered. Large-scale integration shifts in the studied regions are singled out and economic and political processes that played a role in the formation of integration groups taking into account interests with the use of various forms of economic integration are detailed. The number of existing regional trade agreements in the regional context by types of agreements is analyzed. Global subjects of world trade by region are studied, taking into account the importance of the EU in the global economy, which is characterized by a high degree of integration processes. The main integration priorities for the EU member states, compliance with a set of rather strict requirements, due to restrictions on production in agriculture and the real sector of the economy, foreign trade specialization and geography of trade flows of the new member states have been identified. It was confirmed that in order to strengthen integration processes it is necessary to take possible approaches to regional integration in institutional and technological terms. The growing role of the Middle East and Africa based on economic and trade processes in the region and the availability of fuel resources is confirmed. The structure of regional integration associations in Africa is considered and the export of goods between the countries of integration associations within groups is studied.

The objective preconditions of regionalization in the global space are considered in the article. The consequences and challenges of regional economic integration processes for the countries are revealed. The importance of coordinating the objectives of regional economic integration and national economic policy is substantiated. The role of integration in the liberalization of trade through the reduction of tariff barriers is argued. The regional asymmetries of global economic development are outlined. The state of development of regional trade agreements in the last decades is analysed. This analysis has made it possible to determine the difficulties of functioning of integration associations in modern conditions and to substantiate that each region has its own peculiarities, as shown by the example of the European Union, the member countries of NAFTA, integration in the countries of Latin America . The index of regional integration in Africa has been estimated. It allowed revealing significant differences among the groups of countries. The peculiarities of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the conditions of cooperation of the countries have been clarified.

Introduction. Under the influence of global transformations in the world, both economic processes and the system of international relations are undergoing changes. Accordingly, modern diplomacy acquires new features, its forms and methods of conduct change, the way of presenting information about one's intentions or rejection of certain phenomena, despite the obligation to comply with protocol requirements. Therefore, the current issue is the scientific substantiation of the conceptual foundations of economic diplomacy and its role in implementing the strategic priorities of the countries' development and ensuring their economic progress. Methods. The research methodology is based on a systemic approach, according to which the tools and methods of economic diplomacy and the economic progress and strategic development of states are considered in a close relationship and causality. To solve the research tasks, both general scientific and special methods of scientific research were used, in particular: the method of going from the abstract to the concrete, analysis and synthesis, generalization and analogy, conceptual and logical analysis, the historical method in combination with the methods of empirical research and international comparative studies. The results. The role of economic diplomacy in the economic development of countries is substantiated. Conceptual approaches to the concept of "economic diplomacy" are defined, and its role in the implementation of the strategic priorities of the countries' development is revealed. It is argued that economic diplomacy acquires a new character and covers wider areas. It is substantiated that the processes of economic integration force more active use of the tools of economic diplomacy. The peculiarities of the experience of some countries in the implementation of strategic development priorities using the tools of economic diplomacy are revealed. The strategic vectors and goals of economic diplomacy in promoting the national interests of countries are outlined. As a result of the conducted research, the conceptual foundations of economic diplomacy were scientifically substantiated; its role in implementing the strategic priorities of the development of individual countries and ensuring their economic progress is argued; the strategic vectors and goals of economic diplomacy in promoting the national interests of states are outlined. Discussion. The obtained research results can be used for further scientific developments regarding the improvement of the theoretical basis of economic diplomacy and its influence on economic progress. Keywords: economic diplomacy, economic progress, tools of "soft power", commercial diplomacy, national interests, strategies of economic diplomacy.