Differentiated Integration in the EU: A Variable Geometry Legitimacy

Since the Member States and peoples of the EU are “united in diversity”, it seems natural for the European construction to use patterns of differentiated integration, so as to be able to act in an effective manner while taking this diversity into account. In today’s Europe, where political heterogeneity seems more acute than ever, having more differentiated integration appears to be an almost natural way forward for the EU.

This Policy Paper by our director Yves Bertoncini  explores the philosophical, political and institutional conditions which must be met to allow a legitimate deepening of differentiation within the EU and highlights the importance of a differentiation based on sound political foundations, which is then able to serve the interests of the European peoples. 

This Policy Paper concludes that at least three sets of desirable and feasible initiatives could be completed or launched in the near future : in the security and defense field, in the Home and Judicial Affairs field, and in the Economic and Monetary Union field. 

This Policy Paper is the French version of a paper published prepared within the context of “EU60: Re-Founding Europe. The Responsibility to Propose”, an initiative launched by the Istituto Affari Internazionali of Roma.

It is also available in English.