Alexander Stubb, a participant in the 1996-97 and 2000 Intergovernmental Conferences analyzes the evolution of flexible integration from the early 1970s to the present day and beyond. He focuses in the process of negotiations which led to the institutionalisation of flexibility in the Amsterdam and Nice Treaties. This book provides a valuable insider's view on historical decisionmaking in the European Union.

Alexander Stubb is Prime Minister of Finland. Previously he served as Finland's minister for European affairs and foreign trade (2011-2014), and before that as minister of foreign affairs (2008-2011) and as a member of the European Parliament (2004-2008). He is author of several books on European integration.