What are the benefits and limitations of an « ever closer union » as found in the European Union ?

Résumé du document

The forthcoming enlargement of the European Union put on the agenda questions about its future and its actual situation in the "ever closer union". Indeed what can we say today about this process? Is it a success or a failure ? Can the European Union still be closer, or has it reached its limits ?

Extraits

[...] Dinan, Ever closer union : an introduction to European integration, 2nd ed. (Basingstoke : Macmillan, 1999) O. Duhamel, L'Union Européenne sous la présidence Française, (Paris, les Cahiers de formation, 2000) M. Farrell et Al, European integration in the 21st century : Unity in diversity”,(London, Sage Publications, 2002) Pascal Fontaine, Le comité d'action pour les Etats-Unis d'Europe de Jean Monnet, (centre de recherche européen, Lausanne 1974) M. Gini, From Co- operation to integration, (London, European Dossier Series: Kogan Page, 2001) P. [...]

[...] A lack of harmonization can be problematic, as we had noticed recently with Great Britain and France and the refugee camp in Sangatte. Refugees and Asylum seekers had been a matter of particular political debates within the Member States because of disagreement on their definition[7]. The European Commission and national governments appear to be increasingly committed to the harmonization of policies which will satisfy fro them the condition of a “social Europe” while ensuring that the anticipated effect will not disrupt political and economic cohesion. [...]

[...] First and foremost, let's talk about the benefits of an “ever closer union” as found in the European Union. Those benefits are numerous and visible in several and various fields such as economy, social, politics and are the results of coordination[4] between the Nation States. Coordination is the keyword for the future of European Union. It means that groups of people are made to work together in an efficient and organized way in order to solve different problems and act in a more consistent way. [...]

[...] The Eurostar is an example of that policy, bringing closer France and Great Britain. Efficient transport infrastructures may reduce the business cost and integrate national economies more successfully. However there are still inequalities in the provision of infrastructures, and some countries or regions -such as Portugal- are not very well gifted in all infrastructures. So efforts have to be made so that all European countries are put on an equal footing. The European Union is not a process of union at all costs; it includes the principle of subsidiarity. [...]

[...] It seems to be a great advantage for an ever- closer union as found in European Union to maximize efficiency and be the most consistent. The subsidiarity principle[15] is intended to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen and that constant checks are made as to whether action at Community level is justified in the light of the possibilities available at national, regional or local level. Specifically, it is the principle whereby the Union does not take action (except in the areas which fall within its exclusive competence) unless it is more effective than action taken at national, regional or local level. [...]