Taper, I'm no political expert and don't pretend to be but I do, this may come as a shock, like to keep abreast of current affairs. I agree that the E.U isn't a powerful body, more like a regional League of nations. It is however a powerful Brand in the sense that when needed can be hauled out when a powerful country has a dispute with a smaller/weaker nation within the treaty of Maastricht and the other way round in that a small country i.e Belgium has a dispute with France that Germany also share's , in that it supports Belgium. This is a subtle message from a smaller nation saying o.k you're bigger more influential in the grand scheme of things but if you push it my big friend is going to start making waves that may not go in your favor, if you see what I mean. It's basically a good tool for equality although it can be manipulated.