16 Overriding principles

Into the category of ‘overriding principles’ of a high political nature we would place the protection of human rights, the promotion of solidarity and social responsibility, the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity, the protection and promotion of welfare and the promotion of the internal market. Freedom, security, justice and efficiency also have a role to play as overriding principles. They have a double role: the two categories overlap. So they are briefly mentioned here too as well as being discussed at greater length later.