Within the framework of European civilization, common values were formed - the main principles of the organization of society and the state, which are shared by the majority of citizens. Among the civilizational features of Europe that have developed historically, researchers include: rationalistic individualism; personal freedom; the supremacy of the law and the equality of all citizens before it; the principle and institution of private property; intensive way of farming; a culture of voluntary association, reasonable compromise and solidarity; capitalism; the bourgeoisie as the leading class of society with high social responsibility; civil society; political democracy

Christianity is an important component of the civilizational proximity of the EU member states. Coming from the Middle East, it became the basis of the spiritual culture of Europe. Although the European Union is a secular association and the criteria for its membership do not determine the religious affiliation of candidates for admission, in the minds of EU citizens, European identity is a stronghold of Christian civilization.

The direct origins of European integration go back to the Middle Ages. At that time, Europe was a "cultural whole, which was united by the Roman Church, with a single language that served Latin, significantly developed regional trade, gold (as a common currency) and even with a single foreign policy and strategic military goals (during the Crusades )» The socio-cultural closeness of the European peoples formed even then became the fundamental basis of European integration. Later, Europe began to be perceived as a single center from which values and scientific discoveries spread around the world: "it stood before humanity as a whole and this served as an incentive for internal unity"

European countries have realized that only by joining forces can they avoid the mistakes of the past and meet the challenges of globalization processes with dignity. The example of a united Europe, which managed to overcome not only the legacy of the past, but also numerous practical difficulties in the gradual elimination of political, legal, socio-economic and other borders between national states, shows that people, albeit at a high cost, can do appropriate conclusions from history and build your future on this basis.