The Multispeed Integration and the Future Inner Borders of the EU. What are the Challenges for those Remaining Outside the Hard Core?
The Multispeed Integration and the Future Inner Borders of the EU. What are the Challenges for those Remaining Outside the Hard Core?

Summary/Abstract: The discussion on differentiated/flexible integration is far from novel. Ever since the first enlargement, back in the 1970s, a consistent literature started to develop in reaction to the increasing heterogeneity of the political, economic, social preferences and capabilities of the Member States. Differentiated integration received increased consideration in the 1990s against the background of the forthcoming eastward enlargement. Back then, differentiated integration was designed as a possible solution for the loss of homogeneity occurred because of enlargement. Closer to our days, the differentiated integration has made a powerful comeback. The crisis has laid bare the flaws in the design of Economic and Monetary Union. As part of the solutions put forward, an even clearer distinction between euro and non-euro Member States came to dominate the discussions. However, the challenges posed by it are still to be explored especially in view of the ongoing discussion on the reform of the European Union. Proposals for a profound restructuring of the architecture of the EU’s economic governance have intensified beginning with 2012 The present article analyses the challenges posed by differentiated integration to the countries remaining at the periphery of the core and to investigate whether they do not threaten to raise new frontiers.

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