In a European Union under construction, speaking about European Identity is essential. If it exists, it should be the expression of a dynamic link between Europeans. This identity is or would therefore be the creator of art and culture, a common political ethic, European citizenship, and common education. The first objective is then to know whether a European Identity exists. The answer seems to be "no". Of course, the European Union is not completely devoid of a common Identity, but "So far, the identity of the European Union has predominantly been defined politically" (European Values and Identity, 2007). According to the Treaties, the EU is founded "on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law" (Article 6 TEU). In accordance with the principle of "unity in diversity", it shall promote the diversity of its cultures, while "bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore" (European Values and Identity, 2007)
[...] This declaration emphasized the need to encourage the feeling of belonging to a common culture in order for the EU to be successful. “Nowadays this issue is back to agenda due to the Enlargement and all confusion it will cause. In order to overcome all the barriers EU has to find a uniting factor, that will be stronger then prejudices in people's minds about each other”. (European identity topic, 2005). Two enlargements occurred since 2004. The ambitious enlargement of 2004 (the largest in the EU's history), by which eight countries from central and eastern Europe and two Mediterranean islands (Cyprus and Malta) became “European Members”, and the adhesion of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 made the EU more diverse. [...]
[...] The line of argument of the EU is, of course that we can have both identities, and that multiplicity of identities will lead to a richer Europe. According to European Union Leaders, a European Identity does not contradict national or regional identity. For instance, Article F of the Maastricht Treaty reads "Union shall respect the national identities of its Member States", Europe needs to be closer to its citizens in order to achieve its goal of deepening European Identity. Identity is based on the sharing of common values. [...]
[...] (Delgado-Moreira, 1997) If we assume that the European Union needs a European identity, which is at least partially true, it is legitimate to wonder how can the EU promote, encourage and accelerate the formation of such an identity. In other words, how this identity can be forged? According to Delgado-Moreira, “European identity has to crystallize”, and in order to achieve it, “almost all potential sources of a European identity are welcome: political and ideological beliefs, economic theory, culture, history, geography, ethnic common destiny, that is to say Europeans have to increase the feeling of belonging together, sharing a destiny and so on. [...]
[...] In practice, we can assume that a European Constitution would lead to a more unified EU and thus to a stronger common feeling of identity. Indeed, a Constitution implies common rules, common rights and duties, and by this way, contributes to create a citizenship, which is an important step in the forging of a European Identity. The forging of a European Identity seems to be irreversible. But does the EU really need it? One part of the answer can be yes, because the European Union could, by means of this European Identity, gain power on the international scene. [...]
[...] The non- ratification by two European countries (France and The Netherlands) in 2004 of the European Constitution is a concrete proof that the EU does not act as a unit, but more as a sum of Nation-states guided by national interests. To conclude, it can be said that the European Union, as a whole, as an institutionalised community needs a European Identity to assert itself. This identity is on the way to be forged and deepened. Nevertheless, this identity is not a need for European Citizens, at least for the moment. [...]
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