Commonality with national meaning : national sovereignty and the boundaries to EU identity in the Baltic States

Abstract

The article, through the analysis of national collective identities, aims to reveal the possible nature of a common European identity and the potential limits of European commonality. The shared European language of values and goals outlined in the founding documents of the Union defines the collective EU identity of the Member States. The article argues that the pivotal concept in understanding the boundaries of a common EU identity is the notion of national sovereignty. The formulations of common European values and goals present challenges to elites in reconciling these terms with the aspirations of national sovereignty.

The article examines the interpretations of common European identity and values presented by the political elites of the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). EU membership for all three countries creates serious identity tensions related to national sovereignty. The article analyses how the political elites of these states navigate the components of national sovereignty within the context of European commonality. It posits that each country’s distinct understanding of national sovereignty delineates varying boundaries of a common EU identity. The adaptability of national identity pertains to elements that can be considered peripheral, contrasting with the non-negotiable core elements of national sovereignty.