The Macro-regional Concept as a New Model of Differentiated Integration

Abstract: The expanding membership of the European Union (EU), as well as the the expansion of the scope and the deepening of the level of integration, has contributed to increase diversity within the EU. In order to cope with this situation a system of differentiated integration developed. Differentiation is a way of integration which involves only a limited number of member states. The objective of this paper is to carry out a systematic analysis of one of the most recent differentiated arrangements, the EU macro-regional strategies. The strategies will be analyzed along six dimensions, provided by one of the most recent typology of differentiated integration. The thesis is designed as a case study and the documents framing the strategies will provide the empirical material. The analysis concludes that the macro-regional concept is a new model of differentiated integration with a distinct set of features: permanent, territorial, multi-level, within the EU treaties, with the decision-making at the EU level and involving also non EU-member states.