In the following, the authors present a comprehensive comparative analysis based on the rich material of the eight issues of the Watch, published biannually by the EU-supported network of excellence EUCONSENT. Tanja Leppik-Bork and Julian Plottka summarise the main events regarding deepening and widening during the last five years of European integration and complement them with insights into the respective national debates as represented in the Watch issues, while Barbara Lippert presents six observations on deepening and widening based on the debates collected in the eight Watch issues.

Contents:

Preface: EU-27 Watch

1.1. Deepening: the process of constitutionalisation

1.2. Widening: the process of enlargement and the development of a European Neighbourhood Policy

1.3. Policy-making: business as usual

2. Six observations on deepening and widening of the European Union from the EU-27 Watch / Barbara Lippert

3. Chronology: major stages from January 2004 until May 2009