[en] Extension of EU

[Elvain]

This might be a hot topic...

I'd like to ask what do you think about enlargement of the EU.

1) Are you generaly FOR or AGAINST EU enlargement?
2) Where you think the limits of EU enlargement's should be?
3) Should EU's elnarging have any limits?
4) Which countries do youthink shuold be included in EU and which not?
5) What should be the status of EU? Political federation (long path to go), Economic block (we already are much further), International political power balancing power of USA and China (and Russia) or something else?

if you don't mind I will post my answer later...

PS: I'd be glad if also non-Europeans would say something.
We often hear Europeans speaking what should America be or not be, rarely we hear what America thinks about Europe

[catt]

This is difficult to tell...

Logically I'd choose "geographical borders" but then for example you couldn't include just half Russia...

I think it's much more important that the countries joining have a common cultural basis (which would make the EU suddenly very small). For example I don't see a lot of things "we" have in common with Turkey and I don't think a country that does not (always) care for human rights should be allowed to join the EU.

In the end it comes down to what we want. If we only want an economical power you can just let about anyone join. I think it is important for Europe to be a counterweight to the USA. But of course the whole thing is much more complex.
If you want to "unite" countries e.g. by creating certain laws, setting political standards etc. you should only include "western" countries.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to say that other countries are not as good as the "western" ones. But I do think that is is very important for every country to keep its own national identity and culture. It would be sad to see the rich diversity we have in Europe disappear.

So, what do I choose? I guess it's still "geographical borders". Cause I see the whole thing more economical. Although I now it's pretty much not doable.

[Angryminer]

I'm open minded on exact nations. There are just a few reasons why I'm against unlimited growth:
- Financially each new entrant is a burden until it manages to grow an economy large enough to turn out revenue. That'll be in 15-20 years for most entrants.
- Culturally the EU moves away from it's members if too many different cultures are included. If the EU accepted too many members then no member of the EU could associate himself with it anymore, because it would require us to associate with everything from Russia to France to Turkey. Neither member will think of it as "their" alliance, but rather "the other's". The more the EU grows the less the members are connected to it.

Angryminer

[Traveller]

My personal oppinion would be "I don't care, as long as we're out of it!" But I guess it's already too late for that...
Otherwise, since my first wish is already impossible, I think Croatia should also be joined and then the enlargement should stop for at least 30-40 years till the new countries are assimilated enough.
About Turkey - that's a very complicated issue. From one side, given our history with them, I definitely don't want to be in one union with them. On another, history is history and EU is in the presence. Again on the contra-side, Turkey is a Muslim country with different culture than ours. On the pro-side, Turkey is officially a secular country and joining it would give a good sign to all other Islamic countries. So, I can't really say...

[Xuca]

Speaking from a country that is far from the EU, I wouldn't like to see it becoming a cultural union. Then it would be best just to call it WEU or something else. And diversity in cultures is not a bad thing, on the contrary! take my country for example, it is very different from east to west, from north to south, ethnically, religously, culturally and more. And no matter how different we are, we still are Serbs in our hearts and in the eyes of the world. I would agree joining the EU only as an economic block. I certanly don't want to see us in an EU which is a counterweight to the superpowers, it can only lead to bad stuff.

EDIT: I haven't voted because my choice would be geographic borders exept Russia. I don't have anything against them, they just don't belong there.

[Mircoslavux]

in reality the world will be divided forever, the counterparts are needed to make progress and competition. (But I mean good competition on the basis parnership and not who will win the dominance - but that's music of future),

The role of EU will be to build stable and strong partner to USA, RUSSIA and CHINA and ISLAMIC COUNTRIES, who should be taken seriously and with respect...

[Elvain]

oh I forgot to say my point about EU.

I think that there shuold be 2level membership. I agree that economical cooperation could include countries form the Balkans and maybe also Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. But still there should be some limits.

on the other hand I think that EU could evolve in superpower and to be a power between USA, China and Islam, maybe it should because it is the only way how to survive in the competition. But it would require change of policy, the welfare state should be reduced so the basic motivation to imigrants won't be to parazite on social system but to live in free market and competition with better chances of success. This closer cooperation includinf common market and also common currency requires more than just will, but also some common basis.

For me this basis is Western/latin christian civilization so the eastern border of this EU shold be Finland, Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia. I know that even this zone has own diferences but it arose on same values. Countries of the Balkans which arose on Orthodox christianity should have possibility to join economic block, but not so close, the tradition is diferent for 1000 years.

[Mircoslavux]

oh I forgot to say my point about EU.

I think that there shuold be 2level membership. I agree that economical cooperation could include countries form the Balkans and maybe also Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. But still there should be some limits.

on the other hand I think that EU could evolve in superpower and to be a power between USA, China and Islam, maybe it should because it is the only way how to survive in the competition. But it would require change of policy, the welfare state should be reduced so the basic motivation to imigrants won't be to parazite on social system but to live in free market and competition with better chances of success. This closer cooperation includinf common market and also common currency requires more than just will, but also some common basis.

For me this basis is Western/latin christian civilization so the eastern border of this EU shold be Finland, Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia. I know that even this zone has own diferences but it arose on same values. Countries of the Balkans which arose on Orthodox christianity should have possibility to join economic block, but not so close, the tradition is diferent for 1000 years.


Interesting comment Elvain:go:

[Elvain]

though Xuca and Traveller and many other people in the Balkans may see EU mainly as something that brings limitations, orders and rules, I wouldn't see them all negatively.

Those restrictions are here to:
1) protect those who primarily finance the EU (Germany and France)
2) support modern technologies. In short run it means investitions and so that the products are more expensive, but in long run perspective it could be advantage. Not long ahead there will be energetical crisis and those who have effective technologies would be able to compete much more than those who don't.

but one thing is here for sure. EU needs reform of inner policy. French agriculture eats too much of EU's sources and those money should rather go into something else.