Letter: Redraw Balkan map

Sir: M Edwards (letter, 29 March) rightly questions whether the concept of the sovereign or nation state has had its day.

What constitutes a feeling of nationhood is complex. It may be having clearly defined topographical boundaries, or a common language, or religion, or a common history. Happy are those such as in these islands where these four factors largely coincide. Unfortunately in much of Europe this is not so.

Tony Blair should seize the initiative to establish a new Congress of Vienna at which representatives of all European countries including Russia could review national boundaries.

BRIAN PARKYN

Southam, Warwickshire