Europe and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: a peculiar relationship

Undoubtedly, integrated Europe and the United Kingdom have a curious and strange relationship. Since the very beginning of the European integration process the UK showed skepticism and, often, annoyance. The reasons for such a feeling can be identified in the peculiar history of the British people: local conflicts led to stabilization, growth and imperial splendor. The end of the Second World War, nevertheless, introduced a new era of international dialogue, mutual respect and led almost inevitably to the decolonization process.

The resistance to European integration process, both from outside and inside, may express the British wish to refuse to accept the today’s world evolution, hoping that, beyond the possible concrete financial advantages, the solution of an integrated and partly protected European market would not compromise the traditional prestige of British world policy.

London seems to reject the European spirit, the financial rules and the cultural background that come with it, which tend to privilege continental solidarity. Such a crucial approach might seriously compromise the future relations between the 26 EU countries and the UK in the next decades. Before the next EU summit in Brussels the EU countries are considering new proposals to reintroduce effectively the UK in the EU executive policy, but they need an indication of good will from London.

• Primary Source

ISPI: Analysis: Europe and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: a peculiar relationship [PDF] http://www.ispionline.it/sites/default/files/pubblicazioni/analysis_94_2012_0.pdf

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