EUsamhengi

EUsamhengi is a fictional or speculative framework proposed for the European Union to harmonize security, economic, and social policy among member states. It envisions a more integrated approach to public goods, with legally binding instruments and shared funding to support common objectives while respecting national competences.

The name combines EU identity with the Estonian concept samhengi, meaning unity or cooperation, signaling a philosophy of cross-border governance.

In this concept, governance would involve a multi-tier structure consisting of a European coordination council, sectoral committees, and a transnational budget called the EUsamhengi Fund. Decision rights would balance supranational rules with intergovernmental agreements, aiming to align policies across diverse national contexts.

Policy areas include defense and security policy, cyber resilience, energy interconnection, digital infrastructure, migration and border management, economic cohesion, and social standards. Instruments would include harmonized regulations, joint procurement, common standards, and cross-border funding for joint projects to enhance interoperability and efficiency.

Implementation would be phased, with pilot programs, sunset clauses, and regular evaluations. Member states would retain constitutional safeguards but undertake common obligations to meet agreed benchmarks for interoperability and rule-of-law commitments, with mechanisms to monitor progress and address deviations.

Critics raise concerns about sovereignty, democratic legitimacy, and uneven burden sharing. Proponents argue it could increase resilience, bargaining power, and cost efficiency for the Union as a whole, while enabling faster adaptation to global challenges through shared instruments and standards.

See also: European Union; Common Security and Defence Policy; Cohesion Policy.