Den respekterer deres centrale statslige funktioner, herunder sikring af statens territoriale integritet, opretholdelse af lov og orden samt beskyttelse af den nationale sikkerhed.  
The union shall respect the equality of Member States before the constitution 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.  