Differentiated integration as a tool of European territorial governance: the case of French overseas territories (dom-toms)

Abstract

Speaker: Filippa Chatzistavrou, University of Athens Maria Lada, University of Aegean Chair: Stefan Telle, University of Twente French outermost territories’ integration into the EEC/EU has been a complex process facing challenges while illustrating an exploratory case of a palpable interconnection between center and periphery within the EU. The EU has created the conditions for France to maintain a relationship with these territories within the European framework without putting aside its administrative-political priorities and geopolitical objectives. The paper consists of the following sections. First, it presents the role of the EEC/UE in the inclusion of overseas territories and departments of France within the European unification mechanism. While taking into account the different statuses of the French DOM-TOMs, it tries to present the linkages between these territories and the EU by discussing how they are incorporated into the EU and tracing specific European policies that assist these territories. Second, it sheds light on DI aspects of this territorial management through the introduction of unique safeguards and exceptions to some core principles of the acquis communautaire. It stresses that flexible arrangements are provided in relation to trade policy, the Eurozone and the Schengen area giving rise to concentric circles of EU participation. Third, it discusses how different stakeholders are involved in the implementation of these policies. In this context a number of important questions arise about the balance between integration and differentiation. To this end, it attempts to evaluate the concept of differentiated integration in order to understand the normative and empirical effects of the flexibilities currently embedded within the European framework.