出版社：Center for European, Governance and Economic Development
摘要：The paper adresses the need for more flexibility in the integration process of
the European Union after its recent eastward enlargement. Due to the increasing
number of decision-makers and the increasing heterogeneity of economic
structures, financial constraints, societal preferences, and political
interests, European integration based on the uniformity principle is hardly
feasible. In order to avoid a rank growth of integration and yet to strengthen
the momentum of flexibility, so-called enhanced cooperation appears to be an
appropriate instrument to be applied to the overall integration process. In this
context the paper analyzes different possible developments of selected common
policies in the EU if enhanced cooperation is practised by a sub-group of
EU-members. Based on cluster analysis similarities and distinctions among the EU
members with respect to some specific policy realms are elaborated to identify
clusters, or clubs, of countries which may apply the instrument of enhanced
cooperation in the specific policy fields.
