Article
4
1. In
accordance with Article 5, competences not conferred upon
the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States.
2. The Union shall respect the equality of Member States
before the Treaties as well as their national identities,
inherent in their fundamental structures, political and
constitutional, inclusive of regional and local
self-government. It shall respect their essential State
functions, including ensuring the territorial integrity of
the State, maintaining law and order and safeguarding
national security. In particular, national security remains
the sole responsibility of each Member State.
3. Pursuant to the principle of sincere cooperation, the Union
and the Member States shall, in full mutual respect, assist
each other in carrying out tasks which flow from the
Treaties.
The
Member States shall take any appropriate measure, general or
particular, to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising
out of the Treaties or resulting from the acts of the
institutions of the Union.
The Member States shall facilitate the achievement of the
Union's tasks and refrain from any measure which could
jeopardise the attainment of the Union's objectives.
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