It makes you wonder why on earth they set it up then. I can imagine the first meeting "hey guys, how about we get together and make life really ****ing difficult for ourselves." "Oui", "ja", "yes."
If you're an EU member you'll be looking to deal with your fellow member states, ie your prefered partners, first and foremost. This is what trading blocs are all about, it's one reason you form them: to help yourself and each other.