La proiezione esterna dei valori dell’Unione europea nelle relazioni con un ex Paese membro

This contribution examines the impact of the values of the European Union on relations between the EU, its Member States, and the countries that have triggered the withdrawal procedure under Article 50 TEU, thereby leaving the EU integration process. Although the former Member States undoubtedly contributed to constructing the identity matrix now codified in Article 2 TEU, sharing the same values does not necessarily imply that they are given the same legal importance. That is, they (or rather, the obligations arising from them) may have a different impact depending on whether one is referring to a Member State or a country that is no longer a Member State. In this sense, since respect for EU values constitutes the basis for accession to the Union within the meaning of Article 49 TEU and, therefore, for the membership, assessing their impact on relations with former EU Member States also makes it possible to measure the “weight” of the loss of status as a member of the organization. Or, in other words, the “weight” of participation in the EU legal integration.