Conference Paper

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.