THE NEED FOR SECURITY
All of these fundamental values are ultimately dependent on security. Particularly
since the attack on the USA of 11 September 2001, the fight against
terrorism and organised crime in Europe has also been in the spotlight again.
Police and judicial cooperation continues to be consolidated, and protection
of the EU’s external borders intensified.
However, security in the European context also means the social security of
all citizens living in the EU, job security and secure general economic and
business conditions. In this respect, the EU institutions are called upon to
make it possible for citizens and businesses to work out their future by creating
the conditions on which they depend.
THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The fundamental values and concepts at the heart of the EU also include
the fundamental rights of individual citizens of the Union. The history of
Europe has for more than 200 years been characterised by continuing efforts
to enhance the protection of fundamental rights. Starting with the declarations
of human and civil rights in the 18th century, fundamental rights and
civil liberties have now become firmly anchored in the constitutions of most
civilised states. This is especially true of the EU Member States, whose legal
systems are constructed on the basis of the rule of law and respect for the
dignity, freedom and the right to self-development of the individual. There
are also numerous international conventions on the protection of human
rights, among which the European Convention on Human Rights is of very
great significance.