However, the larger the number of Member States and the greater their diversity, the more the issue of flexibility comes to the fore. In the view of many Member States, further enlargement of the Union will make the development of flexibility provisions inevitable. Several Member States have emphasized the importance of any enhanced cooperation developing inside rather than outside the Union. They stress that the institutions, procedures and mechanisms of the Union should apply. Since discussion is at a relatively early stage, the Presidency's assessment which follows binds delegations neither as regards principles nor details.
Some delegations still favour the status quo.
Three broad forms of possible flexibility have been examined by the Conference. These forms of flexibility would not be mutually exclusive and could be complementary. Flexibility could apply when individual acts or decisions are adopted in certain policy areas. This approach would involve all of the relevant details to cover that particular area as part of the Treaty revision negotiations. This would imply that the detailed provisions for implementing such cooperation in any particular area would be developed whenever required to the extent that this proved necessary.