At respektere subsidiaritetsprincippet betyder så vidt som muligt at respektere unionsborgernes eget ansvar og identititet. Og den, der kender virkeligheden af meningsdannelsen i EU, ved, at dette påbud retter sig mindst lige så meget mod medlemsstaternes regeringer som mod EU's institutioner.
Respect for the subsidiarity principles means respecting in so far as possible the personal responsibility and identity of the EU’s citizens, and anyone who knows how decisions are really arrived at in the European Union will know that this is an obligation incumbent not only on the governments of the Member States but also on the institutions of the European Union.