The peaceful reunification of Europe is a historical success for the Continent. The rational for the European Union in surmounting the rivalries of nation-states, is nowadays not any longer sufficient in view of new worldwide challenges. Europe does not remain unharmed by the global problems, such as the shortage of resources and a further growing world population, the consequences of global warming, migration or the loss of biodiversity. The book provides an analysis of global trends, the importance of rising players such as China, India, Brazil and the future role of Europe also in its relationship with the USA and Russia. Individual European states are losing their importance in the new multi-polar world. The voluntary bundling of national sovereignty in the EU has created a common area of democracy and freedom. The European Union is the guarantor for security, freedom and prosperity in a world where size and power matter and it is the driving force for sustainable growth and stability on the Continent. The book explains why the Union has to grow together in order to secure a common future and explains the importance of decentralised structures for the achievement of the European integration.