Europeans to use EU flag as a flag icon...

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Spiffor
(these fuxing Britons are not in the Shengen-area, meaning you still have to show your passport whenever you board the France - Britain train. sigh )

That's an immigration policy. If the EU had a collective immigration policy that worked, then they would drop the passport controls.

An open door policy means that European anti-immigration laws are only as good as the worst countries policies. Some countries *cough*France*cough* are 'happy' to let immigrants in as they know they will pass straight through *cough*to Britain*cough*.

[Harovan]

Still Germany takes more than twice as much immigrants and asylum seekers as France and UK together.

[moomin]

Originally posted by Roland
Btw, when I'm at it: Moomin, I hereby solemnly declare you Ned the Second of Apolyton.

I guess it's a step up from €wiggy. I was always bothered by being associated with the €.

[Paris]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
I learn English and French

Good for you Ecthelion!

[Ecthy]

Oui

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin


That's an immigration policy. If the EU had a collective immigration policy that worked, then they would drop the passport controls.

An open door policy means that European anti-immigration laws are only as good as the worst countries policies. Some countries *cough*France*cough* are 'happy' to let immigrants in as they know they will pass straight through *cough*to Britain*cough*.

Astoundingly enough, Shengen countries have different immigration rates, even if people can go from a country to another. For an immigrant, being on Europe's territory isn't difficult, being accepted (by the administration first) in Europe is. Same thing goes for Britain.
For this reason (paperwork being more important than geographic location), I think Britain doesn't belong to Shengen space, because it wants to keep some remnants of the golden isolation.

(you probably noticed it, I'm not very fond of Britain's European policy )

[frostycreep]

Paris, I am not against european countries having trade routes with eachother, What i am against is giving up my national identity to become european. Sorry if i dont agree with your views on how europe is better of as a superstate but thats just the way i feel. I wonder who is in the majority, People who want a european superstate or people who are happy with a continent with many countries. Im not sure although i reckon its about 50:50. In Britain though, i think im in the majority as everyone seems to be against the euro currency.

[Roland]

Schengen does not harmonize immigration policies, only the border control regimes. Another thing is asylum policy which is pretty much harmonized by Dublin (resp Art 63 ECT) but lacks a distribution clause among EU countries.

[Roland]

Originally posted by frostycreep
... superstate...

Nice term. How does it differ from a normal state ? What constitutes a (super)state ?

[Harovan]

I don't worry about Britain being separatist and nationalist. They will remember soon enough, that they are Europeans, when they seek for financial compensation for the next "mad cow" disease.

[Paris]

Originally posted by frostycreep
Paris, I am not against european countries having trade routes with eachother, What i am against is giving up my national identity to become european. Sorry if i dont agree with your views on how europe is better of as a superstate but thats just the way i feel.

Frostycreep,
As a Britain are you afraid that you are going to loose your national identity? As a Greek, I'm not afraid and I'm proud for what I am. But also i recognise that if a nation wants to survive it must corporate with others.
I don't want an "intagible" Superstate as you call it. I think like the most of EU citizens that WE want a Republic State with COMMON administration.
The history shows us one thing: all europeans trying with Wars from 800 AD (Charlemagne King age) to unite in a common system.
Why? BECAUSE WE HAVE COMMON VALUES AND TOGETHER WE CAN FACE MUCH BETTER THE PROBLEMS. For the first time we have a "peacefull" way to unite Europe - not as superstate but as a state for all citizens.

In Britain though, i think im in the majority as everyone seems to be against the euro currency.

It's your problem! None EU citizen can blame you for what you're feeling. If you don't want to have Euro currency, it's OK!
But don't stop the other members (Swedish, Germans, Italians, Greeks etch) to form a State. I think that Norwegians were more honest than you: they didn't want the EU, they left!
You cannot want the same profits with a French or Belgian, when you do not participate completely!

[frostycreep]

I agree with you paris that britain cant have it both ways. Problem is half of our citezins want complete independance and the other half want a completely unified europe. I think Tony Blair has said recently that Britain needs europe so we will probably releuctantly go on along with europes plans. I hope we dont though but like i said other britains will want to go along with these plans.

[Paris]

Originally posted by frostycreep
Problem is half of our citezins want complete independance and the other half want a completely unified europe.

Frostycreep don't worry, we can wait for you! (I'm just joking ofcourse). Shortly will be convinced the remainder as were convinced few times before the Danes and the Irish people.
The G. Britain offered many in modern Europe and mainest founded the Democracy again after 2000 years (Athenian Democracy). I believe that your politicians might be clarify to you that doesn't exist any fear, there are only challenges.
Although, Tony Blair is a clever man and he loves his country!

[JohnIII]

Originally posted by frostycreep
I agree with you paris that britain cant have it both ways. Problem is half of our citezins want complete independance and the other half want a completely unified europe.

Yes, Britain has no political middle ground! We're a country of raging extremists, like that irascible Mr. Blair. Why, he's so extreme he makes the X-Games look like the Paralympics.

when they seek for financial compensation for the next "mad cow" disease

The next?

In Britain though, i think im in the majority as everyone seems to be against the euro currency.

That's what The Sun says, is it? Hardly surprising.

Why will we lose our national identity? I am proud to be English and British, but that doesn't mean I don't want to join the Euro or see the EU become more unified, nor does it mean I'll go into an apoplectic rage the moment I have to use currency without the monarch on it.

[MikeH]

I'm British and I want to join the Euro so I can spend the change I brought back from Amshterdam