Two speed Europe?
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matt.berlin
- Euro-Regular in Training
- Posts: 109
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- Location: London
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Two speed Europe?
Should countries such as the UK, Denmark and Sweden who consistently drag their feet over European integration be asked to consider their future in the EU? Is it not unfair for the few to hold up progress for the many?
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pinguino79
- Euro-Expert in Training
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2002 5:44 pm
- Location: Vicenza, Italy, EU
My opinion is that the EU is based on cooperation; each member gives its countribution without being forced to do it. The reason is simple: forced cooperation is not cooperation!
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I think it's only a problem for these three countries, because the 10 newcomers will have to adopt the acquis.
The 10 already know that they are going to adopt Shengen, the euro, the social part of Maaastricht, etc...
UK is soon "only" 1/25 of the EU... its interest is now to rally the rest of the Union. Blair has understood that it's better to join and influence the events.
Thatcher's tactic ("no, no, no, no, no!") is no more possible. Look what has happened: 12 members have got the Euro, with our without UK...
The 10 already know that they are going to adopt Shengen, the euro, the social part of Maaastricht, etc...
UK is soon "only" 1/25 of the EU... its interest is now to rally the rest of the Union. Blair has understood that it's better to join and influence the events.
Thatcher's tactic ("no, no, no, no, no!") is no more possible. Look what has happened: 12 members have got the Euro, with our without UK...
well, I must say I agree with a Europe à la Carte.. each country should decide how deply it wants to get in the Union..Olivier wrote:Yes, but at the same time, I understand Matt... Why should we wait for countries which always disagree with new projects?BossaNova wrote:well we probably should give them more time..
What would happen if 14 agree for a federal/ confederal Europe and UK wants to remain only in a free trade market?
one country should only be expelled from the Union when it has attitudes that goes against the interests of the Union.. being in the Echelon should be one reason (and it's not only UK.. many small european countries has agreements with USA, and small participations in the echelon...)
Well, I wouldn't call Germany a small country. It's a pity, but the, at least to my knowledge, largest echelon installation is located in Bad Aibling, Bavaria. Officially, it oberves Yugoslavia and the Middle East....BossaNova wrote:well, I must say I agree with a Europe à la Carte.. each country should decide how deply it wants to get in the Union..Olivier wrote:Yes, but at the same time, I understand Matt... Why should we wait for countries which always disagree with new projects?BossaNova wrote:well we probably should give them more time..
What would happen if 14 agree for a federal/ confederal Europe and UK wants to remain only in a free trade market?
one country should only be expelled from the Union when it has attitudes that goes against the interests of the Union.. being in the Echelon should be one reason (and it's not only UK.. many small european countries has agreements with USA, and small participations in the echelon...)
Echelon is not a German attitude. It is something which was created in the years 1948-1952. It is an American institution, which was installed before the Federal Republic of Germany gained sovereignity. It is quite difficult to get rid of it. There is no clear description of its purpose. After 9/11 one can argue it helps to fight the realm of evil or so. Americans would probably argue that it defends the free world. I can imagine that Echelon is abused for economic espionage, but I don't have any proof.BossaNova wrote:one country should only be expelled from the Union when it has attitudes that goes against the interests of the Union.. being in the Echelon should be one reason (and it's not only UK.. many small european countries has agreements with USA, and small participations in the echelon...)
If other European countries feel molested by Echelon, they should formally demand clarification from the German government. If this is done with some publicity it will surely help to make it a topic here in Germany. Momentarily, virtually nobody cares.
