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Chapter 4 - Second option: continuing on the present path while developing further closer cooperation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Jean-Claude Piris
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Summary

In order to attain the objectives set out in the treaties, the EU institutions impose obligations on Member States on the basis of the competences that have been conferred on the EU. In areas where no such obligations are imposed, either because the EU does not have any power or because its institutions have decided not to use it, the Member States remain free to act and take decisions. In such a case, they might do this on their own or, if they so wish, in cooperation with other states that may also be EU members. Such a ‘closer’ cooperation is legally possible. It allows those Member States that want to cooperate together to progress on some issues or to develop some policies, whereas other EU Member States do not participate.

A number of Member States do practise closer cooperation in economic, industrial, military, cultural or other fields outside the EU institutional framework. The EU treaties do not forbid this so long as EU law is respected.

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Chapter
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The Future of Europe
Towards a Two-Speed EU?
 , pp. 61 - 105
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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