The Limits and Possibilities of a European Identity

European identity, as a common value, consists of diverse philosophical,
historical and cultural elements, which are based on historical roots and
are continually being supplemented with new elements. It is an identity,
like any other collective identity, which is trying to produce unity in
diversity. The values of identity are often expressed through a number of
its objectives and principles such as: peace, democracy, freedom,
equality, justice, prosperity, human rights, social cohesion and
environmental protection. Collective identity enables any society to
establish the necessary cohesion for living together in solidarity and
mutual assistance, without erasing the differences among its members.
The European Union aims, through its accession to the Union, to meet
these ambitious values in the lives of their peoples. It is a challenge and
there will be a need to engage all forces and resources in order to build a
strong European identity.
The concept of European identity has been introduced into political
discourse and the European agenda during the last three decades. It has
also been the subject of a number of treaties and official documents. The
concept of European identity is problematic itself but it is still at the
centre of the debate in Europe. While the European Union crashes
interstate border and tries to establish the European Society, European
citizens and European identity; at the same time, it tries to reconcile the
diversity of national identity under the common name - European identity.