Do you personnaly feel European?

[matt.berlin]

Not at all a "subject of Her Majesty".

Don't worry, neither do I.

[K3lvin]

I have checked the Eurobarometer and Estonians were in majority opposed to the entry of their country.
--
Only 38% of the Estonians would vote yes, for their country to join the EU. 27% would vote no. 21% would not vote at all and 14% don't know.

Err... doesn't that mean that the majority is in favor to joining the EU. Or at least the majority of the people who already have opinion about it. I read an article about this from local newspaper: most of the Estonians are afraid to join a new union because they have just got rid of another, i.e. they are afraid of their independence. Another problem was that they believe that Russians could access their country easier if they joined the EU. Estonians are having problems with Russian minority (about 28% of the population).

[Olivier]

I've always felt myself European as much as I feel Italian, far before the euro introduction.
BTW, sometimes (e.g. during World Cup) I feel more Italian; and usually if I'm talking with a non european I feel more European.

So have I. I feel european since the '80s and the project of Unique market of Jacques Delors.
I regret he has not tried to be president in 1995...

I feel more european since I know I 'm going to live in North America.
Strange, isn't it?

[Olivier]

Not at all a "subject of Her Majesty".

Don't worry, neither do I.

John Manley, canadien vice-prime-minister has said last week that it would be good for Canada to end with monarchy at the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
She was just there, visiting the country for her jubilee.

I agree with him. Let her "finish" her reign and then, let's get a president for Canada, Australia, New Zealand...
It's so strange to have a foreign Head of State, living at the other side of the ocean!

O.

[Olivier]

Err... doesn't that mean that the majority is in favor to joining the EU. Or at least the majority of the people who already have opinion about it. I read an article about this from local newspaper: most of the Estonians are afraid to join a new union because they have just got rid of another, i.e. they are afraid of their independence. Another problem was that they believe that Russians could access their country easier if they joined the EU. Estonians are having problems with Russian minority (about 28% of the population).

I understand. But they should now the European Union has nothing in common with the former USSR!
They won't loose their identity, their culture and they will keep the control of their domestic affaires (ths subsidiarité princip).

For the access, it's the opposite. Estonia will join the Schengen zone, so the Russians, will have to get a visa to come to Europe.

[matt.berlin]

That's the really bizarre thing. That Estonia will be in Schengen, and the UK not. I think we should get rid of opt-out clauses cos they just make things too complicated. We should all be working on the same level. National leaders always try to make the whole thing too complicated as it suits them personally better that way. It isn't what's best for democracy though.

It would be much easier if we had clear set institutions and rules. Yes, this would show the EU to be at the very least a proto-state in its own right, but we should have the courage of our convictions to allow this.

[Olivier]

That's the really bizarre thing. That Estonia will be in Schengen, and the UK not. I think we should get rid of opt-out clauses cos they just make things too complicated. We should all be working on the same level. National leaders always try to make the whole thing too complicated as it suits them personally better that way. It isn't what's best for democracy though.

It would be much easier if we had clear set institutions and rules. Yes, this would show the EU to be at the very least a proto-state in its own right, but we should have the courage of our convictions to allow this.

I agree with you but on the other hand, the goal was not so far in 1973, when UK, Ireland and Denmark joined the EEC.
The problem is that there are two different conceptions of what the EU should be. The majority tends to a federal Union. UK still only wants a free trade zone.

Tony Blair has already lots of to do to make his people accept the euro.

I think Denmark, Sweden and UK will soon be alone with their opting-out clauses, moreover if the 10 new members follow the common way.

(my english is too bad tonight... I'd better go to bed!)