<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this article is to highlight challenges to European integration by raising key concerns and generating debate about potential responses. This discussion is intended to be a starting point for further research and the development of more policy-specific recommendations to tackle these challenges successfully. I begin by explaining the need for a clear and realistic integration mission and then turn to the example of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), one of the most tangible achievements of European integration policy. The EMU also highlights the critical importance of clarity and realism in any approach to integration. My analysis moves next to the challenges that the EU is facing today and considers how the European Commission has evaluated and reacted to these challenges. Finally I propose some key elements of – and make the case for – a constructive practical approach.</p></abstract>

The aim of this article is to highlight challenges to European integration by raising key concerns and generating debate about potential responses. This discussion is intended to be a starting point for further research and the development of more policy-specific recommendations to tackle these challenges successfully. I begin by explaining the need for a clear and realistic integration mission and then turn to the example of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), one of the most tangible achievements of European integration policy. The EMU also highlights the critical importance of clarity and realism in any approach to integration. My analysis moves next to the challenges that the EU is facing today and considers how the European Commission has evaluated and reacted to these challenges. Finally I propose some key elements of – and make the case for – a constructive practical approach.

Challenges to European Integration: Missions and Instruments

Politics in Central Europe

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Challenges to European Integration: Missions and Instruments"}

The aim of this article is to highlight challenges to European integration by raising key concerns and generating debate about potential responses. This...

Challenges to European Integration: Missions and Instruments

Published Online: Jun 07, 2018

Page range: 77 - 91

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pce-2018-0004

Keywords
European Union, Economic and Monetary Union, crisis, mission, multispeed integration, flexibility

© 2018 Tamás Szemlér, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Challenges to European Integration: Missions and Instruments

Published Online: Jun 07, 2018

Page range: 77 - 91

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pce-2018-0004

KeywordsEuropean Union, Economic and Monetary Union, crisis, mission, multispeed integration, flexibility

© 2018 Tamás Szemlér, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
European Union, Economic and Monetary Union, crisis, mission, multispeed integration, flexibility