In the first issue of ELIAMEP Thesis Janis A. Emmanouilidis discusses the prospects for differentiated integration in an EU 27+. The author argues that the European Union (EU) will require different speeds, if the enlarged and politically, economically and geopolitically more heterogeneous EU wants to remain effective. Emmanouilidis holds that the future path of differentiation will not be dominated by one single model of differentiation. In practice, we are rather likely to witness the application of many and diverse types of flexible integration, ranging from the creation of a new separate Union to very limited forms of closer cooperation between a small group of EU members within and outside the EU framework. But which path towards a more differentiated Europe should be followed? Which forms of differentiated integration should be avoided and which preferred? Emmanouilidis formulates nine recommendations to answers these questions.
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