Stages of the economic integration and the level of international competitiveness: optimization methods. The EU case

The paper highlights and discusses the concept of integration optimum. For this reason, there are analyzed aspects related to the stages of integration and the level of international competitiveness as well as the relationship competitiveness - integration second-best optimum. The integrations benefits and costs are outlined in various stages of the EU enlargement, emphasizing the importance of combining national resources, performances towards competitiveness and the dynamics of dimension efficiency. The paper also includes an analysis of integration in different areas (Latin America, Northern America, Asia and Africa) and the degree of institutionalization in relation to competitiveness.