European Union -1st of May, Uniting even more people

[Maniac]

There's a thing I've been wondering about for quite a while. On maps of the EU you always see several overseas EU territories like Guyana, Canarias, etcetera. But why are other British and French territories such as the Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, the Kergueles (totally wrong spelling - those islands in the South-Indian Ocean thereabouts) never included? Do they have some special semi-independent status or so?

[laurentius]

I admit I'm paneuropean, the expansion is not jeopardizing the new european millenium IMO.

[Sandman]

In europe the UK still is a player and weigh heavely, that's why 'we' need a clear view, we need to know where he UK stands.

What's the problem with the current set-up? Why "In or out"? Why "you're either with us or against us"?

[laurentius]

Originally posted by Maniac
There's a thing I've been wondering about for quite a while. On maps of the EU you always see several overseas EU territories like Guyana, Canarias, etcetera. But why are other British and French territories such as the Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, the Kergueles (totally wrong spelling - those islands in the South-Indian Ocean thereabouts) never included? Do they have some special semi-independent status or so?

I dont know maniac, I believe its purely a technical issue on drawing the maps. Some of the maps didnt include Finland either for example.

Anyway we had fun on the pique-nique, some japanese tourists took photos of us. The onion-pie and the parmesane-olive-paprika pie was incredibly tasty, not to mention the salads, home made batons, and the baked potatoes (rosamunda). Wine was also good as always.

We got sms-messages from all over the europe, this is what the united europe is all about. Being in constant touch with people on the same continent is no different from knowing people from the city nearby.

Go Europe!

[laurentius]

omg check out those fireworks at malta!
The live transmission from Berlin is to be finished by the grand ol Ludwids ode to joy.

Its time! Now we are together as brothers and sisters in this. Together at last. I hope the EU will adapt to respect the will of both the small states and the bigger. Good night Europe, God bless you

[alva]

What's the problem with the current set-up? Why "In or out"? Why "you're either with us or against us"?

I'm not saying with us or against us, there's quite a difference between the the two.
Besides, we not not americans

'Out' wouldn't mean IMO that you would be against us or vice-versa, however, I do feel it would make things easier, any which way.

[Spiffor]

I think the Brits should make a clear-cut decision, whether they want to be in or out. Their lukewarm opinion only makes Britain part of an organization it doesn't like, while dragging all the other members of the organization. I think our members should either be enthusiastic about Europe, or sit on the fence (the free trade zone)

[Sandman]

Originally posted by alva
I'm not saying with us or against us, there's quite a difference between the the two.
Besides, we not not americans

'Out' wouldn't mean IMO that you would be against us or vice-versa, however, I do feel it would make things easier, any which way.

I see less and less difference every day between Europeans and Americans. I dislike flag-waving crap, mindless obidience and exhortations that we need to be strong for strengths sake.

Britain's got a special status of 'troublemaker' in the EU. This is not particularly justified; all the countries start trouble. It's like the difference between working class 'thugs' and middle class 'boys will be boys'.

It's likely that regardless of what Britain does, it will still be regarded as troublemaker. Even if it left the EU altogether, it would still be viewed with the same shifty-eyed suspicion as it is now. 'If only they left' would be replaced by 'if only they hadn't left'. Everything would still be Britain's fault.

I don't deny that British peoples attitudes towards Europe are neither well-informed nor rational. However, I also consider the views of the rest of Europe to be pretty similar, both regarding Britain's undeserved badboy status and their views on Europe. Glory, power, strength and other nationalistic desires are at least as dangerous as Britain's petty xenophobia.

[alva]

I dislike flag-waving crap

So do I, in fact it scares me.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by Maniac
There's a thing I've been wondering about for quite a while. On maps of the EU you always see several overseas EU territories like Guyana, Canarias, etcetera. But why are other British and French territories such as the Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, the Kergueles (totally wrong spelling - those islands in the South-Indian Ocean thereabouts) never included? Do they have some special semi-independent status or so?

Not sure about all the territories you mentioned but for example the Falklands are still disputed between the UK and Argentina, although both sides agreed (some years after the 82 war) to solve this peacefully.

[Az]

in the map, does light purple stand for "never to be accepted"?

[Combat Ingrid]

I like this picture from the German-Czech border

[Pekka]

azazel, prolly

Anyway, too little press about this and media in Finland. You hardly even know new countries joined in. Now let's get this straight so there will be no confusions. You will be our slaves and makes us, the old EU flourish. You also get to be our army and watch our interests overseas. So remember to WORK HARD with LOW SALARIES! Also keep the prices low so we can come and go on shopping frenzies, meaning you have to get some more international businesses there so there will be actually something to buy.

This does not include our friends Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. They are to be full members because they are our friends.

Just wanted to get it out of the way.

[Locutus]

Welcome!

[dojoboy]

Congrats Europe! Go EU! Do you folks have a nickname yet? A mascot? You've got to have a nickname and a mascot.