In the aftermath of the Brexit vote and in the midst of Europe’s ongoing crises, references to a multi-speed Europe, two-tier EU, or variable geometry have moved from the fringes to the political mainstream. These suggestions for differentiated integration (DI) would mean that groups of member states can choose to move forward on cooperating in certain policy areas.
There is already a degree of differentiation in the EU, through eurozone participation (19 member states with Britain and Denmark having negotiated opt-outs while the others are required, eventually, to join) and participation in the Schengen Agreement (which includes some non-EU member states). …read more