1、 Introduction

As an important actor on the international stage, the EU has created the EU citizenship and common consular protection system, allowing citizens of member states to seek help from any member state when consular protection is not available in a third country. After more than 30 years of development, this system has become a complete system, successfully bringing back over 600000 EU citizens during the pandemic. Nationalism and supranationalism are two perspectives for explaining European integration. Nationalism emphasizes that member state governments adhere to the principle of sovereignty in cooperation, while supranationalism recognizes the transfer and joint exercise of sovereign power. The Common Consular Protection System, as a component of the second pillar of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, is influenced by national centrism. Current research mainly analyzes the common consular protection system from the perspective of international law, lacking an international relations perspective. This article introduces the theories of national centrism and supranationalism to explore their impact on the development of the common consular protection system, in order to deepen our understanding of the history and future trends of European integration.

2、 The Origin and Development of the EU Common Consular Protection System

Elaborate on the origin and development of the EU's common consular protection system. The system originated from the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, which stipulated that EU citizens have the right to common consular protection in third countries. During the pre Lisbon period, the common consular protection system had two main outcomes, but there were issues of vague and uncertain terms. The signing and entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty marked the arrival of the post Lisbon era, elevating the right of joint consular protection to a fundamental right of EU citizens and granting legislative power to the European Council. The two directives passed in 2015 and 2019 further clarified the scope and standards of common consular protection, enhancing the authority of EU supranational institutions. The entire development process reflects the close connection between the common consular protection system and the process of European integration.

3、 The positive impact of national centrism on the EU's common consular protection system

Explored the positive impact of national centrism on the EU's common consular protection system. Nationalists believe that European integration is the rational decision-making result of governments based on their own interests, and the development of a common consular protection system also follows this logic. The governments of EU member states play a decisive role in institutional development, achieving a balance of interests through negotiations and promoting the establishment of systems based on reciprocity and sustainability. The differences in diplomatic resources among member states lead to different interests and demands, but resource sharing and collaborative actions are achieved through negotiations. Economic globalization and the improvement of citizens' living standards have increased the contradiction between supply and demand for consular protection. Small and medium-sized countries have a growing demand for a common consular protection system, and member states continue to maintain a balance of interests through negotiations. Nationalists emphasize that integration requires rational guidance from member state governments, and the realization of the functional value of the common consular protection system cannot be achieved without the reflection and promotion of member states. A series of international crisis events have stimulated member states to attach importance to joint consular protection work and promote the development of the system. At the EU level, a series of guidelines, green papers, action plans, and directives have been issued, specifically addressing crisis preparedness and response, and responding to member states' significant concerns about consular crises. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and urbanization have led to an increase in non-traditional security threats worldwide. EU member states will continue to pay more attention to consular crises, which will affect the development direction of the common consular protection system.

4、 The negative impact of national centrism on the EU's common consular protection system

The negative impact of nationalism on the EU's common consular protection system was explored, mainly reflected in three aspects: firstly, EU member states have insufficient understanding of the necessity of international negotiations on the common consular protection system, resulting in slow progress of negotiations and affecting the international legitimacy of the system. Secondly, EU member states are sensitive to the transfer of sovereignty, which limits the role of EU supranational institutions in the common consular protection system, resulting in their powers being disproportionate to their actual functions. Finally, there is nationality discrimination among EU member states when implementing the common consular protection system, and some member states have not fully adhered to the principle of non discrimination of nationality, which has affected the confidence and recognition of EU citizens towards European integration. These negative impacts hinder the development of the EU's common consular protection system and have a negative impact on the process of European integration.

5、 The EU's response to the negative impact of national centrism

The EU seeks a compromise in the game between national centrism and supranationalism, addressing the negative impact of national centrism through three aspects. Firstly, the EU promotes the implementation of the "international negotiation" provisions of the Common Consular Protection System, maintains its international legitimacy, encourages member states to engage in international negotiations, and actively participates in reaching international agreements containing "consent clauses". Secondly, the EU will improve the common consular protection framework, enhance the auxiliary role of the External Action Service and its delegations, and invest more supranational resources, such as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, to strengthen its role in the common consular protection system. Finally, the EU will optimize the scope and safeguard mechanisms of common consular protection, clarify the criteria for determining "unrepresented citizens", simplify financial procedures to reduce the possibility of nationality discrimination, and enhance the enthusiasm of member states to provide common consular protection. These measures aim to enhance the EU's voice and influence in the common consular protection system, while reducing differences in the implementation process.

6、 Conclusion

The common consular protection system is an innovation of the European Union in international law. Although it was initially questioned, the EU insists on promoting the construction of the system. From the provisions of the Treaty of Mayo to a complete system, the EU is accelerating the development of new directives, and the institutional prospects will be clearer. The game between nationalism and supranationalism shows that the path of European integration is tortuous, and the EU needs to play a greater role in reducing the influence of nationalism.