The EU's problem child

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Dalgetti
anyway , everyone knows that EU is just an evil scheme by Belgium to take over the continent . notice that even now , if analists talk about the EU policy , they say 'Brussel's' position on the issue

After 500 years they're tired of it being the other way 'round.

[Ecthy]

My name is not Andre

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
My name is not Andre

It is now, due to a new EU directive from Brussels.

[Ecthy]

So the commonly used form of Andreas is now turned into the EU standard of Andre in order to apply to Belgian rules?

[Bereta_Eder]

The correct increase rate of GDP for Greece in 2001 is 4.2%.

Please don't go to american sites for info about EU they get it wrong. Also, according to CNN we are not part of the eurozone...


The most problematic country used to be Greece. It was refered to as the "Black Sheep" of Europe. While there are some merits to that assessment it is also true that Greece was used as a scapegoat for Europe's one choices.

A clear example of this was Greece's veto to Turkey's entrance to the EU. When Greece withdrew it, it became aparent that Europe was not ready for Turkey (and vice versa). Up untill then everyone accused Greece of hindering Turkey's europinization

EiF, you are not an imperial power anymore. The way you try to push your weight to smaller countries is revolting. Thank God noone here in Greece cared or knew about the brits and the rocus you caused. We have far more improtant things to be concerned about.

And although I concede that the spy charges were too much, the planespotters DID violate greek laws TWICE by taking pics in forbiden areas. The dirt you threw on Greece (a country 6 times smaller than you) will be remembered. It is also a good thing for the greek government that it didn't yield to any kind of pressure from you.


The most problematic coutnry is of course the UK. It hindmers integration by creating too many variable geometry clauses in the proccess. It gives americans a base to spy on the EU by providing vital infastructure for the functioning odf their Ecthelion system and it acts lie a loose cannon in many subjects. (as their recent initiatives for the euro army).


Greece is not going to pose problems in Turkey joining the EU if Turkey becomes "human". Since humanity is a prerequisitive for entry I don't see what problems we could cause.

BTW, the money given by the structrulat funds are nothing compared to what we have to pay for defence, while all of the other countries don't have this problem.


edit: oh and something else. This forum is dominated by americans and english. You can't really ask these people to give an asessment about the EU. They are far away for everything it stands for.

[Az]

KH :

well , Andreas it is . But the Valon French of Belgium would prefer it as 'Andre' . You want to have those special benefits , right ? ( thank god I have a neutral sounding name ... I can be American , European , Arab , Russian , Caucasian ( a person from the Caucasus ) , and even ... an Israeli Jew ...

seriously though , I thought that I would simply shorten your name a bit ... sorry... Andreas.....


now for the real Issue . am I using too many '...' in my posts?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Thue

• Italy - Ruled by corrupt media mongul who's main concern is making laws to protect himself.

and very right wing,

Austria has Heider too (or his party), but I haven't heard he has been to much trouble to anyone in particular. But in Italy the foreigners are going out of favour quickly.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by *End Is Forever*
As far as integration goes, the UK is probably (and quite rightly!) the biggest obstacle. Due to size and influence, a strong EU (and probably a strong Euro) requires British participation to achieve full potential (this isn't national ego-massaging - the same would go for Germany or France, maybe Italy).

In all candor, bullsh!t.

britain uses its influence just to massage its bruised ego. It is the biggest obstacle to peace and prosperity for Europe.

[Wernazuma III]

[SIZE=1] Originally posted by OneFootInTheGrave
and very right wing,

Austria has Heider too (or his party), but I haven't heard he has been to much trouble to anyone in particular. But in Italy the foreigners are going out of favour quickly.

So you haven't heard about Haider's decision to fight against a constituional law-court decision which requires each town in Carinthia with >10%slovene population to have bilingual signs and names. He wants to fight it by cutting all subventions to slovene organizations and said he won't allow anything that "harms" the carinthian population (what does he mean by this? ) The last time the state tried to put through the constitution in this aspect in '72 led to the demolition of the bilingual signs...
But we austrians have learned from history

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by paiktis22


Greece is not going to pose problems in Turkey joining the EU if Turkey becomes "human". Since humanity is a prerequisitive for entry I don't see what problems we could cause.

paktis don't tell me that you would not be scared of Turkey with it's 100million people joining, and the freedom of movement. Turks are keen on moving abroad anyway. Soon you would become a Greek minority in a Turkish Greece.

That is the problem when you have such cultures joining together. The only similar problems I could forsee is for Ireland Danemark and in some sense the Benelux countries when 10 million Poles (out of fourty) arrive But they still have a fairly similar culture.

However Turks are another proposition in large numbers whether EU likes it or not.

It is OK if a society is changed slowly, so you wouldn't see yourself getting generally good Turkish customs over time and all troubelsome differences would dissapear, but a huge number in one generation (20 years or less) huh.

I'd say that someone in your government better thinks of that.

Wasn't that the reason that the Irish protested in the vote for Euro expansion. They became even less important member, size wise, and immigration wise they cannot stop an influx of foreigners (or EU citizens) legally. I mean who cares for Brits, French , Spanish or Germans because they like where they are, and 2 million Germans will not go to Ireland to find work.

Most likely there won't be 2 million Poles either , but 2 million Turks in Greece. I can see that already. Even if you don't like them (nation wise), but you have work.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by paiktis22
In all candor, bullsh!t.

britain uses its influence just to massage its bruised ego. It is the biggest obstacle to peace and prosperity for Europe.

Thats crap. It is just felt that Europe's interests are different to British interest.

Convince British people otherwise, through greater education of the European situation, and this would change.

It would for one get rid of this "Metric martyrs" crap.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Wernazuma III


So you haven't heard about Haider's decision to fight against a constituional law-court decision which requires each town in Carinthia with >10%slovene population to have bilingual signs and names. He wants to fight it by cutting all subventions to slovene organizations and said he won't allow anything that "harms" the carinthian population (what does he mean by this? ) The last time the state tried to put through the constitution in this aspect in '72 led to the demolition of the bilingual signs...
But we austrians have learned from history

Well in UK I don't hear of that, and I missed the croatian papers (over the net) on that day. I was suprised anyway that I haven't heard anything from him even though he had such a nasty appereance when his party became big.

The best part is that they are Slovenes and three times smaller than you, and have been living there forever. Obviously he is afraid that the people there don't suddenly realise that they want to pay their taxes to Ljubljana, because of bilingual signs.

It is not only you who don't learn from history, it is the majority of the world, it just takes time for a society to show it's ugly face.

[Bereta_Eder]

Onefoot,

I don't think Turkey will ever join the EU. Hopefully you and I will live many years (Allah willing ahem) and you will see that I am correct.

It is very analyzed here. Turkey will never join.

In the unlikely event that it does, Turks will head off by millions in other more developped EU countries.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by paiktis22
Onefoot,

I don't think Turkey will ever join the EU. Hopefully you and I will live many years (Allah willing ahem) and you will see that I am correct.

It is very analyzed here. Turkey will never join.

In the unlikely event that it does, Turks will head off by millions in other more developped EU countries.

well most likely, but that is one of 'quiet' EU problems that politicains don't speak because they want to be politically correct, and you have recially motivated violence quite often, and right wing parties (Italy, and Austria even in government) getting more votes because mainstream acts as if they don't care. And Danemark now, who is next, Germany or Tories in UK? Though even if William Hague had won (the most rightist Tory ever?), they wouldn't be even close or in the same league as Italy and Austria are today.

[Bereta_Eder]

In short Europe wants Turkey close - but not too close.

The best turkey can hope for is a close relationship with the EU.

In the recent EU leaders summit, the EU accepted ALL of the greek positions on immigration. All of them. Most of them had to do with blocking access to millions upon millions of people that try to enter Greece any way possible. (from albania and fyrom to turkey and pakistan to wherever).

some of these measures are:

_one uniform way to guard borders that will be considered EU borders (and money to do it)

_one uniform way to send people back once they somehow made it

and many more.

the greek positions on these matetrs and the whole text was accepted by all the 14 other countries because they realize that the problem is VERY acute.

As I said I want openess to immigrants but we can take so many.