ABSTRACT

À LA CARTE EUROPE is a term related to concepts of differentiated integration. Basically it suggests that European Union (EU) Member States should be able to pick and choose which programmes and policies they wish to adopt and participate in. Opponents of the concept argue that the reality of any such development would create a considerable amount of disarray and confusion, undermine solidarity and almost certainly make the EU unmanageable. Nevertheless, the idea is not infrequently espoused by some Member States as a means of showing their opposition towards certain priorities. The opt-out secured by the United Kingdom at the Maastricht European Council meeting in December 1991 on economic and monetary union is an example of an à la carte approach towards EU integration.