This
morning I attended a discussion about the current meaning of national
sovereignty in Europe. The discussants recognised that we live now in a context
of limited and shared sovereignty. As members of the EU, the countries have
transferred some of their national powers to the Commission or the Council. And
they have also agreed that some key decisions do require the consensus of the
membership. These have been important steps towards a supranational approach to
the common good.
Everybody
seemed to agree that the trend towards pooled State sovereignty will continue
and that there will more co-responsibility in the future and less decisions
based on a narrow approach to national interests.
I
think it is good to have an optimistic view of EU´s collective will. That´s
what will take us forward.
But
I am not sure about the next few years. European countries give the impression
they are moving back to the old views about sovereignty. That will certainly be
a wrong direction. However, one should be aware of the facts. And be prepared
for less. Even when we aim at more.
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