Becoming flexible to keep it together: the logic and the pitfalls behind the concept of differentiated integration
The Federalist, XLVIII, 2006, N° 1, pp 55-63
Language of the original publication: English
The present paper offers a brief overview of the terminological-historical, theoretical and political aspects of “differentiated integration” scenarios. It argues that although “flexibility” is the only way to consolidate the acquis and pursue the integration project, differentiation does not automatically lead to a more ambitious, more powerful and more European Europe. In order to ensure this outcome, the flexibility pioneers must pay particular attention to two paramount criteria.
First, they should, to the greatest extent possible, implement their project without alienating those EU partners that choose, or are compelled, to remain (at least temporarily) outside their group. Second, they need to manage these relations with outsiders in a way that does not compromise the strategic goals of the smaller group. Since the raison d’être of any meaningful differentiated integration scenario can only be the preservation and enhancement of European sovereignty (i.e. the autonomous capacity to decide, act and promote our interests), in the event of conflict between these two considerations, the second must prevail.
(Hajnalka Vincze, Becoming flexible to keep it together: the logic and the pitfalls behind the concept of differentiated integration, The Federalist, XLVIII, 2006, N° 1, pp 55-63, 20,840 characters)
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