Asymmetric interdependence definition
Asymmetric interdependence means that the applicant state and the European Union are not equal players in the negotiations. Rather, the applicant state needs membership into the Union more than the EU desires more members. This clearly tilted the balance of power in the negotiations and allowed the EU to pressure countries that had verbally expressed interest in joining the EU, but for sundry political reasons were not taking the necessary steps to become qualified for EU membership. “This imbalance allowed the EU to make believable threats of exclusion, turning up the heat on illiberal states by threatening to keep them out of the pre-accession process entirely“ (Ibid. 109).