Differentiated participation to the European Administrative Space: Third countries in European Regulatory Networks

The last 30 years of European integration have led to the rise and consolidation of the European administrative space (EAS). This dynamic space has witnessed the rapid emergence of sectoral bodies such as European Union (EU) agencies and European Regulatory Networks (ERNs). The proliferation of these entities plays a pivotal role in enhancing the administrative capacities of EU institutions for the application of EU law, for regulators from EU member states and third countries associated to the EU acquis alike. Third country access to EU agencies and ERN fuels a transgovernmental layer of external "technocratic integration". In this context, understanding the interactions between EU agencies and ERN and the centripetal effects of these organizations on third countries is fundamental. However, despite the pivotal role played by these organizations in the wider regional integration process, the integration of third countries therein has remained relatively understudied. This paper aims to address this gap by delving into the intricate relationships between EU agencies, ERNs, and third-country integration into the EAS. Based on a unique dataset of third country participation in EU agencies and associated ERN, we explore the link between third country access to EU agencies and their participation to ERNs. Using a robust analytical framework that combines network and regression analysis, we argue that participation to ERNs encapsulate the role of an antechamber to European integration more effectively than third county access to European agencies. This paper contributes to a comprehensive examination of the evolving dynamics within the EAS, shedding light on the often-overlooked role of third country in the technocratic layer of European integration.