К вопросу о многоуровневой интеграции в эволюции Европейского союза

Abstract

The article analyses the current trends of European integration process from the point of view of theoretical, legal and practical approaches. Beginning with the statement that enlargement and deepening of the European Union are considered to be two aspects of the same phenomenon, the necessity of the differentiated integration is proved. Neither theoretical models, such as "Pick-and-Choose", "Multi-Speed" or "Variable Geometry", nor their codified version could be recognized as satisfactory. The concept of closer cooperation adopted by the Amsterdam Treaty contains serious defects concerning the notion itself and requirements for its application and institutional procedures. Taking into account the future enlargement of the EU, this concept should be improved towards more flexibility and more efficacy. Also, it is convenient to elaborate guarantees and support mechanisms providing adhesion of the nonparticipant States to the integrated group. In the distant strategy, the European Union could adopt identities and boundaries according to the actual concept of the Council of Europe. In consequence, the multilevel organization could be established, making use of the European experience of political cooperation and economic integration models.