However, all this will not mean the abolition of the nation-state.
Because even for the finalized Federation the nation-state, with its
cultural and democratic traditions, will be irreplaceable in ensuring the
legitimation of a union of citizens and states that is wholly accepted by
the people. I say this not least with an eye to our friends in the United
Kingdom, because I know that the term "federation" irritates many Britons.
But to date I have been unable to come up with another word. We do not wish
to irritate anyone.
Even when European finality is attained, we will still be British or
German, French . or Polish. The nation-states will continue to exist and at
European level they will retain a much larger role than the Länder have in
Germany. And in such a Federation the principle of subsidiarity will be
constitutionally enshrined.
These three reforms - the solution of the democracy problem and the need
for fundamental reordering of competences both horizontally, i.e. among the
European institutions, and vertically, i.e. between Europe, the nation-state
and the regions - will only be able to succeed if Europe is established anew
with a constitution. In other words: through the realization of the project
of a European constitution centred around basic, human and civil rights, an
equal division of powers between the European institutions and a precise
delineation between European and nation-state level. The main axis for such
a European constitution will be the relationship between the Federation and
the nation-state. Let me not be misunderstood: this has nothing whatsoever
to do with a return to renationalization, quite the contrary.
The question which is becoming more and more urgent today is this: can
this vision of a Federation be achieved through the existing method of
integration, or must this method itself, the central element of the
integration process to date, be cast into doubt?
