A Europe of variable geometry: Still a winning model?

Abstract

The tragic scenes of exodus from Africa, which perturb the current debate on the future of Europe, strongly recall the dominant (but perhaps too hastily forgotten) apocalyptic predictions of a decade ago with regard to the anticipated waves of mass migration from Eastern and South-East Europe, from the Central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union and furthermore, from the endless hinterland of Southern Asia. Such predictions did not come true. It is unanimously agreed that the situation evolved differently, thanks to the decisive role played by the EU. It is, therefore, useful to analyse in detail the complex process of subdivision and re-composition in a hierarchy of State and sub-State entities on a primarily (but not exclusively) territorial basis and to examine the sophisticated system of legal instruments utilized by the EU institutions to win a difficult match. The most tangible trophy of this victory is the recent enlargement. This research, however, is not inspired by futile optimism. Indeed it will become clear through analysis that it is not possible to confront other "geographical fronts" of the global movement of populations with similar panoply of instruments. A more complex task will be to offer some introductory reflections on the relationship between a Europe of variable geometry and a Europe of rights in the context of the new EU, as well as to indicate the contradictions on the horizon marked out by the Constitutional Treaty. © 2006 Springer.