This study explores how EU integration, globalisation, and geopolitical disruptions have influenced scientific collaboration among European countries at different stages of EU membership. Specifically, it distinguishes between the EU-14, the EU-13, that joined the EU in 2004 or later, and EU candidate countries. Using Scopus article, the study analyses Relative Intensity of Collaboration (RIC) among EU member state, candidate countries and China, Latin America, the UK, the USA and Russia. Findings indicate increasing integration within European groups and with global partners, yet persistent hierarchical structures remain. EU-14 countries form the core of the network, exhibiting stable and cohesive collaboration, including with the UK despite Brexit. EU-13 countries occupy an intermediate position, showing moderate collaboration with EU-14 but stronger collaboration within their own group, with EU candidate countries and Russia. EU candidate countries demonstrate even weaker integration with EU-14, focusing on intra-group ties and links with EU-13 and Russia. RIC peaks in 2012 and 2018 for EU-13 and EU candidate countries correspond to Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe cycles, highlighting the role of EU Framework Programmes. Collaboration with Russia increased following 2014 and only marginally declined after 2022. For EU-14, it exceeds collaboration with the USA. Collaboration with China remains limited due to network and cultural constraints, with similar intensity across all three groups. Overall, funding and policy initiatives are critical for stable international collaboration.

翻译：本研究探讨了欧盟一体化、全球化及地缘政治动荡如何影响处于不同欧盟成员国阶段的欧洲国家间的科学合作。研究特别区分了欧盟-14国（2004年前加入欧盟的成员国）、欧盟-13国（2004年及之后加入的成员国）以及欧盟候选国。通过Scopus论文数据，本研究分析了欧盟成员国、候选国与中国、拉丁美洲、英国、美国及俄罗斯之间的相对合作强度。研究结果表明，欧洲内部各群体之间以及与全球伙伴间的整合度在提升，但层级结构依然持续存在。欧盟-14国构成了合作网络的核心，展现出稳定而紧密的合作关系，其中也包括与英国的合作（尽管存在脱欧影响）。欧盟-13国处于中间位置，与欧盟-14国的合作程度适中，但在其群体内部、与欧盟候选国以及俄罗斯的合作更为紧密。欧盟候选国与欧盟-14国的整合度则更弱，其合作重点集中于群体内部联系以及与欧盟-13国和俄罗斯的连结。欧盟-13国和欧盟候选国的相对合作强度在2012年和2018年达到峰值，这分别对应"地平线2020"和"地平线欧洲"计划的周期，凸显了欧盟框架计划的作用。与俄罗斯的合作在2014年后有所增加，2022年后仅略有下降。对于欧盟-14国而言，与俄罗斯的合作强度已超过与美国。由于网络与文化限制，与中国的合作在所有三个群体中均保持相似的低强度水平，总体有限。综上所述，资金与政策倡议对于稳定的国际合作至关重要。