As Norway's integration with the EU intensified, he suggests that media, public and political understanding shrank.

BBC: Non-EU Norway 'almost as integrated in union as UK'

Britain and other member states objected to Mr Verhofstadt's federalist vision of EU integration.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Politics | Patten quits EU presidential race

All the same, there is no denying that France and Germany are currently driving European integration, with the EU's other members relegated to the back seats, some happier than others.

ECONOMIST: Rendezvous in Versailles | The