‘Today’s Europe does not need to be afraid of opening. On the contrary, such an opening can be seen as an expression of its strength. Europe’s highest striving and its creative principle is liberty. The history of Europe is a history of freedom at least in the sense that the development of the idea of freedom as well as its realization manifested itself clearly through the achievement of freedom through cities, nations and classes. Although Herodot already alleged that freedom is the element that differentiates Europe from Asia, today it is confirmed through the Founding Act of the European Union. The principle of subsidiarity serves the realization of European freedom by limiting the power of capital cities and encouraging the rights of local communities; thus the government is brought closer to the citizens and the position of the individual as the subject of society is affirmed.’