Is Withdrawal from the European Union a Manageable Option? A Review of Economic and Legal Complexities

Phedon Nicolaides ()
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Phedon Nicolaides: Director, Department of European Economic Studies, College of Europe (Bruges)

No 28, Bruges European Economic Policy Briefings from European Economic Studies Department, College of Europe

Abstract: Withdrawal from the EU is no more a taboo subject. However, the process by which it can happen is unclear and potentially complex. The purpose of this paper is to show that a withdrawing Member State will not only rid itself from the constraints and obligations of EU rules, but it will also have to re-invent many policies and institutions to fill the gap left by the non-application of EU rules. The paper examines closely the case of the UK and Scotland and concludes that outright exit is not the best option for a withdrawing Member State. The best, but possibly the least feasible, option is an intermediate arrangement falling between full membership and complete separation from the EU. The exact position between the two extremes can only be determined by the exit negotiations and will be influenced by the political climate that will prevail at that time. While the final destination of an acceding country is well known [full adoption of the obligations of EU membership], the exiting country will be embarking on a trip with unknown destination and full of surprises.

Keywords: withdrawal from the European Union; accession negotiations; UK; Scotland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F15 O52 P48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2013-05
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