The Székely Count(r)y as Worst Practice Pattern for "EU-rally-zation"
Adrian-Claudiu Popoviciu (ed.), Cross-Border Cooperation: Models of Good Practice in Carpathian Region, CH Beck, 2014, pp. 207-220
17 Pages Posted: 22 Feb 2015 Last revised: 11 Oct 2021
Date Written: May 30, 2014
Abstract
The EU history has proved the relevance of integration for the peaceful coexistence between former enemy states. Furthermore concepts like Schengen Area, internal market and Euro-regions have bolstered the European identity as a trademark for functional and functionalist best practice. The cross-border cooperation with non-EU states represented a step forward for EU-rally-zation without accession but the recurrence of ethnically motivated separatism could generate the scenario of artificial borders within member states within EU single space. The Székely Count(r)y is not a Kosovo-like case mainly because it is not riparian to the “kin”-state. Territorial fragmentation of the state is theoretically achievable but following this pattern a second mini-Romania could also emerge within the Székely Count(r)y. The underdevelopment and mono-industrialization of the Székely inhabited counties could best be tackled not by petty en/ex-clavization but through enhanced Carpathian regional integration. In the end, the EU-rally-zation has no meaning without a coherent and inclusive territorial polity.
Keywords: EU-rally-zation, Székely Count(r)y, Ethno-fragmentation, Enclavization, Carpathian regional integration
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