Excerpt from News Article

[Kengo]

Hello people,

I'm reading about the euro crisis and am stuck on the following part.

"The euro cannot be dismantled without huge danger, in today’s turbulent conditions, but its long-term future is another matter. The colossal resentments generated by euro membership, in its debtor and creditor members alike, pose the real threat to Europe as an ideal."

I'm in trouble with the "as an ideal". What does this really mean?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[birdeen's call]

The AHD says

ideal

3. An ultimate object of endeavor; a goal.

United Europe is considered an ideal by many people. They sometimes use just the word "Europe" to denote this. The currency problems can be perceived as a threat to this ideal.

[JohnParis]

pose the real threat to Europe as an ideal

Failure of the Euro may pose a real threat to the concept of a united Europe existing in peace and prosperity.

[Kengo]

Thanks very much for your quick responses.

I think too much thinking got me lost. So it means:
Although the EU and euro have been considered as the best forms, they might no longer be able to stay together.

Both great answers.