Somebody: As strong as ever? Until a generation ago, there was still a militarized division of the continent. For all of European history until the current epoch war was part of life, now it's a virtual impossibility for the foreseeable future.
I think it's easy to dismiss the historical significance of the European Union. From a world historical standpoint, despite the problems of monetary union and continued albeit much attenuated national rivalries, it's already a success. A nationalism that expresses itself by sending far-right representatives to the European Parliament isn't much of a nationalism at all.