Independentism and the European Union

May 07, 2014
Graham Avery
Senior Adviser on EU enlargement policy
Independentism is a live issue in Europe today. In the European Union separatist parties have gained votes in Scotland, Catalonia, Flanders and elsewhere, and referendums are in prospect. In Eastern Europe Crimea's referendum has led to an international crisis.

This policy brief addresses some basic questions raised by these developments:

  • What is the European Union's policy on independentism?
  • Is the division of a member state into two states bad for the EU?
  • How is the organisational structure of the EU relevant to independentism?


Read the full paper here

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