Nice could splinter the EU
“1. Enhanced co-operation in any of the areas referred to in this title shall have the aim of enabling the Union to develop more rapidly into an area of greater freedom, security and justice, while respecting the powers of the European Community and the objectives of this title.”
Eight or more member nations could pursue “enhanced co-operation” in several areas of interest, above and beyond that which is the basis of the European Union and which persists among the other nations.
Will this allow some nations to achieve “greater freedom, security and justice” than others within the EU?
Under this provision, we can imagine a group of member nations with enhanced co-operation in an area of common interest, another group with the same in another area of mutual interest and so on.
These member nations would establish membership requirements, rules and procedures for their special group. Other EU member nations that meet those (unknown) requirements would be “encouraged” to join in.
If the Treaty is ratified, these provisions would give rise to an EU fragmented into an assortment of nation groups.
John-Paul O’Driscoll,
403 Harvest Loop,
Prattville, AL 36066,
USA.
