| Abstract | In the recent years we have witnessed a proliferation of ideas as to the future of EU enlargement. Not only the pre-accession policy itself was reformed but also a wide variety of models for step-by-step integration were developed. This chapter focuses on the most recent proposals put on the table by Germany and other Member States as well as think tank community. The analysis demonstrates that while these proposals may be intellectually stimulating and serve as good points of departure for further discussions, they also raise a lot of doubts when looked at through the legal lenses. Thus, neither of these proposals offers a real blueprint for further action. At the same time, all previous enlargements were based on transitional periods and phasing-in mechanisms. Thus, the model for gradual integration from within is there and should be explored further instead of creating new models of gradual integration from the outside. |
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