WP_rompuy_bigPresident Herman Van Rompuy is back on Debating Europe and he’s ready to answer YOUR questions!

So, if you’re concerned about the future of Europe and you want to ask a question about the economy, the environment, foreign affairs or any other European issue that interests you, well… now’s your chance to have YOUR say and discuss key European issues with the President of the European Council!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=i0y-vMdKLpM%3Frel%3D0

Want to participate in the “Ask the President” initiative?

Here’s how:

WHERE can I find the platform?
Go to the “Ask me!” platform at www.askthepresident.eu, and submit YOUR questions in a few clicks…

HOW can I submit a question?
You can choose whether to send us your question by text or (even better!) by video. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a film-maker. A webcam or camera-phone will be enough; just introduce yourself and then ask your question.

WHAT questions will be selected?
It’s up to all of you! We invite you to vote on the questions that are of most of interest to you and those that receive the highest number of “thumbs up” will take part in the session.

WHEN will the session be hosted?
There won’t be one session, but four! Four times over the course of 2013 we will jointly host a special “Ask the President” session during which Herman Van Rompuy will reply to your questions. Once we have recorded the responses from the President, they will be published online. Stay tuned!

Watch last year‘s video responses: President Van Rompuy addresses a questions from commenters Gordon and Amara.



140 comments Post a commentcomment


  1. avatar
    Karel Van Isacker

    Why do you need that expensive “egg” to be built for your office at Shuman while people are basically living on the street in Greece and Portugal and Spain due to poverty, inluding increasingly malnutrition. A better usage of tax payer’s money would be expected from a Christian Democrat.

    • avatar
      juliet

      Because all these people are Narcissistic Megalomaniacs following the first idiot called Coudenhove-Kalergi who wrote Practical Idealism and created Pan-Europa. I pray Great Britain leaves this mess and soon.

  2. avatar
    Paul Galbally

    How do we make people engage intelligently in a debate on the EU instead of making cheap insults or coming up with paranoid conspiracies?

  3. avatar
    Samo Košmrlj

    Will the EU ever have the strength to stand up against the corruption in the member states and why not?

  4. avatar
    Michel Witteman

    Perhaps these comments show why policy makers don’t always listen to people. Here you can see what happens when they do. A question one might ask the president is this: Will there be more transparency and democracy after or even before the next European Elections? Many people are asking for these reforms and can pave a way to a larger mandate from the european people.

  5. avatar
    Daniel Pintilie

    When will be possible for the European citizens to vote for the President of the European Coucil and for a real European government? When will the Council that looks more like a playground for purely national concerns than European matters will become a European institution rather than an international one? When will the Council respect the will of European citizens mandated to the EP and stop making pressure on them to act as the Council wishes? When will you start explaining to the European citizens that the Council is just the sum of all EU governments and that any piece of law that comes out must be agreed firstly with the Council.

  6. avatar
    Hasan Özdemir

    ?s the EU a Christianity club actually ? ?f it will not be a club how only for Christians, will not the member of Turkey be the most important clue of that ?

  7. avatar
    동순

    Which are the goals of U.E smartpower strategies in 2013?

  8. avatar
    Paul X

    Everyone realises that the UK has a somewhat negative attitude to the EU so just how is the Financial Transaction Tax, which so blatently discreminates against the UK, supposed to improve this animosity?
    As our PM once commented, where’s the cheese tax for France? I would add, will there be a Wurst tax for Germany and a Tulip tax for the Netherlands?
    The UK would contribute 80% of the total FTT, we are already a net contributor to the EU budget just how much more do you want from us?

  9. avatar
    Javier Delgado

    Mr Van Rompuy, President Barroso has repeatedly stated that inequity is unsustainable, and that the structural reforms currently in place need to be based on fairness and equity.

    As you know, austerity measures reduce social support and healthcare, which in turn, threaten the fundamental right of universal access to care. With health budgets being cut to the bone, what can the EU do to ensure that the existing reforms will make health systems accessible, sustainable, adequate, socially inclusive and economically productive?

    At the next EU Council Meeting in March, would you be able to bring up the issue of making reforms that promote social inclusion and better health outcomes with EU heads of state and government?


    Javier Delgado Rivera
    European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)

  10. avatar
    Paul X

    Here is one of the questions from a “Van Zan” from Bulgaria, this attitude is typical of the reasons why the people in the UK are so fed up with the EU

    “Hello first of all, I would like to ask you regarding the referendum that is about to take place in the UK and their attempt to leave the EU. Is this not an attempt for the UK to try to use the priviliges that come with the membership in this Union but tries to dodge the responsabilities. After all Germany and France are the two contries that carry Europe on their sholders right now”

    So we are “priviliged” to be a net contributor to countries like Bulgaria?

    I tell you what, let me keep my tax and you can pay for your own priviliges

  11. avatar
    Terry Brophy

    Why is it the EU is putting the needs of orthodox financial systems who caused the European crisis through unregulated greed ahead of the dignity of citizens and member state’s ?

  12. avatar
    Jude De Froissard

    what is he doing there?why do you accept austerity measures that you know bring misery and no results …things will go for the worse for humans ..maybe better for numbers….but humans are more important than numbers…

  13. avatar
    Christof Kern

    The European Union is in a severe crisis. Many national leaders and citizen don’t understand anymore what the benefit of Europe and the European Institutions is. What should Europe do?
    Is it just that Europe needs to explain and communicate more effectively all the good things it is bringing to its citizens, or is is that Europe and its institutions need to start doing things differently?

  14. avatar
    catherine benning

    Do you intend to give the citizens of Europe true democracy by offering us all the equivalent of those countries, akin to Switzerland, who allow their people to vote on matters of policy, across the entire spectrum?

    The way EU has been moving in respect of major changes to our lifestyle and culture, has not been backed by the majority of its citizens. Which has made the people feel their government is totally out of touch with them and their objectives.

    Debating matters and then, as we speak, ignoring the thrust from those you govern is insulting. And it sends a message to us of being ‘second class’ or of ‘no class’ at all in the way our leadership respects our views. Often the feeling of being dictated to, rather than led, by those who ask for our votes, on a platform of so called political concord, to be supported by us, becomes impossible to accept. This cannot be what you tell us it is, a Democracy, if we cannot accept the policies you push at us regardless of the impact on our lives.

    So, are we to expect more of the same, or, will we be offered the freedom to vote on the way we are to move forward by that wonderful concept, Direct Democracy?

  15. avatar
    Dean Plassaras

    When will the senseless austerity end? and with it the era of European nonsense?

  16. avatar
    Татяна Драганова

    I am from Bulgaria.In the begining of 2014 year we’ll allowed to work wherever in the EU but the government of the UK says we are not welkome in their country! What do you think about this problem, sir?
    We-Bulgarians, are free people so we have to be allowed to work there.
    Thank you!

    • avatar
      Paul X

      To Татяна Драганова
      The fact is the UK already has 2.5million unemployed so where are all you people coming from Bulgaria going to get jobs?

      What is not welcome is people coming to the UK knowing they will not get a job but expecting to be looked after by the generous UK welfare and NHS systems, these are paid for by hard working UK taxpayers like myself and people deliberately setting out to abuse these systems are effectively stealing my money and I’m entitled to be upset about it

  17. avatar
    Maro Kouris

    EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy, can you kindly tell me why the European Union cannot have an EU Defense Force through the “EU enhanced co-operation mechanism” just like the mechanism which was used for the creation and operation of the Euro currency, leaving aside all the euro-sceptic nations like Britain and Denmark who do not want to participate in the EU Defense Force. Why are France and Germany procrastinating on this issue and hiding behind the euro-sceptic policies of Britain and Denmark. Thankyou.

  18. avatar
    Maro Kouris

    EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy, can you kindly tell me why the Galileo project has been scrapped . Compared to the EU budget, it costs peanuts and is vital for EU sovereignty and security. One of the aims of the 30-satellite Galileo system is to provide a high-precision positioning system upon which European nations can rely, independently from the Russian GLONASS, United States GPS, and Chinese Compass systems, which can be disabled in times of war or conflict. Where are the 30 satelites necessary for the sovereignty and independence of the European Union? Surely there must be enough manpower and mechanical systems , to complete construction of 30 satellite’s within 1 year?

  19. avatar
    Γρηγοράκης Σ.

    Why dont you ask me if i still want to be a member of a union of slaves?

  20. avatar
    Andreea Petrea

    Do you think that the European fiscal rules and regulations would really benefit all the EU states? Because there are huge differences between the EU countries. What can we do to help economies? think of the fact that prices are almost the same throughout Europe but the salaries are much lower in some countries ( compare UK or Germany and countries like Romania and Bulgaria, or even Hungary).Is there a solution to this? Who should deal with it?

    • avatar
      Paul X

      I think you need to check prices in the UK against Romania or Bulgaria
      If people seriously believe things cost the same then that would explain why they are so keen to come here
      My salary must seem very generous to a Bulgarian but I can assure you it doesn’t go far at UK prices

  21. avatar
    Lucia Mihaela David

    How can you talk about the unity of Europe when there are such big differences between the countries belonging to UE???

  22. avatar
    Michele Vanolli

    do you think that austerity policies can take Europe out of crisis, or we need policies less strong and more open to growth?
    And how can we help economic growth?

  23. avatar
    Andrei Craciun

    Who vote you president of UE?

  24. avatar
    Israel Mekwuye

    What had the EU done in regards to Greece constant violation of the right of the the foreigner and the immgrant living in Greece. It is unfortunate to see police brutality against the immigrant at increase in Greece.

  25. avatar
    Gina Stodinetchi

    When you stop treated Romanians and Bulgarians as second hand citizens? We have our own counties, our homes, we have dignity and we don`t beg to anybody`s door.I feel offended whenever they point the finger at me: horse meat, Romanians and Bulgarians will invade England, Romanian and Bulgarian gypsies …. Please note that Gypsies are citizens of the world, do not belong to any country, are a migratory people who for a time lived in Romania and Bulgaria and now migrate further.

  26. avatar
    Hasnat Chaudhry

    I am from pakistan.In the begining of 2014 year we’ll allowed to work wherever in the EU but the government of the UK says we are not welkome in their country! What do you think about this problem, sir?
    We-pakistan, are free people so we have to be allowed to work there.
    Thank you!

  27. avatar
    Cristian Zarnescu

    WHY our euro is printed privately and then given to our governments ( us) with interests? Why don’t we print our own euro interest free and then to give to national bank to distribute with a small interest to other banks: Why PRIVATE BANKS are controlling our public money ?

  28. avatar
    Valter Conti

    Can we think about a monetary federalism insted (or together with) a banking union? If yes, we need to built and recognize a local community authority for communitarian currency. In the Italian administrative law that is the local police administration. With an exchange service of the metallic currency for the non commercial street operators we transform the public intergovernmental currency into communitarian currency. This pathway brings into a jurisdictional dispute between local communities and ECB about public finacial services with monetary power devolution: a consitutional pathway for the United States of Europe with local communities Funds and serious public saving authorities oriented to serve the local welfare communities.

  29. avatar
    André Carvalho

    With the growing need for further European Integration how can we make sure that this discussion doesn’t stay just inside the elite’s offices? Is there a way for the general european citizen to have this kind of debate in a efficient way? And how can we dissipate the British scepticism?

  30. avatar
    Alex Stefan

    I think it’s time for EU to become a federation.Otherwise,whenever the crisis hit,Greek film can be repeated indefinitely,and perhaps several Member.The federal government is the best solution for EU,so not to lose ,,the war of economy” with emerging countries strong coming from,like China or Bresil.

    • avatar
      Marcel

      Over my dead body.

      The EU/Euro are the cause of this crisis, and other countries want to steal our money. Not gonna happen.

  31. avatar
    Nicolae Pacurar

    If EU is a Common Market why Romania introduces taxes in auto market between Eu countries and Romania ?

    • avatar
      Limbidis Adrian

      I think the EU already warned Romania those taxes are illegal. Seems they haven’t learned.

  32. avatar
    Michael Tsikalakis

    My question to Herman Van Rompuy is based on the “European Union” without brackets. Do you think that it is possible to built a common European identity, if yes, then will it take a long time for Europe to be united as one country?

  33. avatar
    Catherine Benning

    My second question to the gentleman, if I may, is:

    Mr. Van Rompuy,

    What does Europe plan to do about the introduction of secret courts in the UK, should the bill presently being discussed in our Parliamentment, make its way through as law.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/05/secret-court-hearings-civil-liberties-_n_2809154.html

    And

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/mar/03/secret-courts-commons-vote

    I have not heard of such an anti democratic policy being considered since the Hitler regime. Will Europe be part of this fascist movement or not? And if not, what will Europe do to prevent the British people being forced into accepting such a horrific policy.

    Additionally, the way the British government is abusing the severely disabled is another event equalled only by Hitler. Do you have any plans to stop the ill treatment of severly sick people this way? Or, does Europe plan to introduce this pattern across the entire EU?

    http://benefitscroungingscum.blogspot.co.uk/

    And

    http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/details-about-the-abolition-of-the-severe-disability-premium/

    What does Europe plan for the disabled, sick and poor?

  34. avatar
    antonilb

    In 2014, Scotland will hold a referendum on independence, Catalonia may follow its steps even before and Flanders and the Basque Country will be watching very closely. If the outcome in one of these cases is in favor of secession, the European Union will need to have a say and establish some internal enlargement mechanism. Otherwise, it may suddenly find a few milion europeans having lost their Eurpean citizen rights or, even worst, in case of a secession not agreed with the former state (as may be the case for Catalonia), the EU member states will have to decide whether they recognize the new country. However, a clear position of the EU on the matter would simplify things.

    My question is: Is the EU prepared for an internal enlargement in 2014?

  35. avatar
    heart problems

    We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  36. avatar
    Massimiliano Sortolano

    why they don’t start to stop this austerity, using fiscal compact and other things that are going against the law in certai countries like Italy for example?

  37. avatar
    Emanuel Din Bajra

    Is there e concrete & implemetable plan/project for a unified dual-tax system Europe-wide, whereby National tax setting powers and federal tax-setting organisms work together to provide more revenue for the Union and streamline this funding to reach poor nations within the EU and aspiring contries such as: Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro & Turkey in the meantime ensuring that wealth distribution within the Union can bring prosperity for a future United States of Europe ? ?

  38. avatar
    Ricardo Dias Ferreira

    How come you are my President and no one in my country, or in any other EU country, voted for you?

    I mean no disrespect, I simply want to understand if you actually believe that the EU system can be seen as democratic right now, cause I really do not see it that way.

  39. avatar
    Mihalis Pillos

    1. Why EU always fails in proactive communication to citizens regarding EU issues?
    2. Why we don’t enforce one single business language?
    3. Why we are not moving forward with the Banking/political Union?

  40. avatar
    Frantisek Snejdar

    I think, that it is not easy to find the new “European” identity for us. But look, we are discussing here in piece together, despite our native language is not English. Isnt it a good start?

  41. avatar
    Anna Komoń

    Are France and Germany afraid to share their mandates/power with Turkey? Is this the main reason for not accepting Turkey in EU? Are we afraid of other cultures and hide this fear behind political correctnes?

  42. avatar
    Anna Komoń

    What are we going to do with the EU population getting older and not having enough children to support future growth?

  43. avatar
    Anna Komoń

    Why I eran less money than for example a German citizen for the same amount of work (I am Polish citizen)?

  44. avatar
    Anna Komoń

    Why as a woman I earn less money than a man for the same type of work? Does EU have any plan to implement equal pay for equal work?

  45. avatar
    Paulo Bernardo E Sousa

    Para comear, apresento 6 questes, na minha lusa e materna lngua, que europeia tambm o :
    1. Porque motivo as restantes lideranas europeias permitem o predomnio das ideias e decises alems em detrimento da prctica que foi basilar na construo europeia: o reconhecimento da paridade entre Estados?
    2. Porque motivo as organizaes e os pases integrantes da Unio Europeia no se vinculam a um pacto de reconstruo econmica, tendo por base o regresso ao sector primrio e ao sector secundrio?
    3. Porque motivo ainda no se legislou acerca do funcionamento da banca, do mercado bolsista e das off-shores?
    4. O que querem os lideres europeus e os europeus para a Europa em 2015, em 2020 e daqui a 50 anos?
    5. Porque motivo, o Estado Social (a razo de ser e o pilar principal da Unio Europeia desde o ps II Grande Guerra), est a ser definhado? Porque se inviabiliza algo que um sucesso?
    6. Como subsistiria se tivesse de viver com uma remunerao mensal de ?400,00?

  46. avatar
    Justina Lukošiūtė

    to tell his way from school education to becoming one of the most important people in the entire Union, and what he finds to be his biggest achievements in it. :)

  47. avatar
    Justina Lukošiūtė

    to tell his way from school education to becoming one of the most important people in the entire Union, and what he finds to be his biggest achievements in it. :)

  48. avatar
    Ivan Johnny Tukarić

    How can Croatia improve its already declining position when it is entering an economically unstable Union? Are there political bodies in the union that can help us not to become another beggar in the richmans mansion?

  49. avatar
    Ivan Johnny Tukarić

    How can Croatia improve its already declining position when it is entering an economically unstable Union? Are there political bodies in the union that can help us not to become another beggar in the richmans mansion?

  50. avatar
    Daniel Tanahatoe

    On the whole, EU enlargement has been a success, more stability and peace, freedom and democracy and prosperity in a growing part of Europe. Now, prosperity is under pressure and in some EU member states democratic standards are under pressure too. What can we do about it that the EU model remains attractive?

  51. avatar
    Daniel Tanahatoe

    On the whole, EU enlargement has been a success, more stability and peace, freedom and democracy and prosperity in a growing part of Europe. Now, prosperity is under pressure and in some EU member states democratic standards are under pressure too. What can we do about it that the EU model remains attractive?

    • avatar
      Tarquin Farquhar

      The first thing we need to do is to challenge fundamentalist zealots like YOU over our assertion that EU enlargement has been a success!! HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES!!

  52. avatar
    Cris Hova

    What are European Union`s plans for the next 20 years? How about the plans regarding the implementation of real policies for sustainable energy?Are there any plans for a common taxation for states that are considered at the same economic level( common quotation of VAT,etc)?

    • avatar
      Tarquin Farquhar

      Of all the problems the EU is facing these are your most pressing issues?

      I believe in democracy BUT really, when I encounter STARK & BLATANT irrational and illogical behaviour I sometimes wonder whether some people [like YOU perhaps?] should be deprived of the vote!

  53. avatar
    Cris Hova

    What are European Union`s plans for the next 20 years? How about the plans regarding the implementation of real policies for sustainable energy?Are there any plans for a common taxation for states that are considered at the same economic level( common quotation of VAT,etc)?

  54. avatar
    Kristijan Sašilo

    It’s not so much a question as it is a plea. Bruxelles is to decide how to connect the south of Croatia (Dubrovnik region) with the rest of Croatia (to avoid BiH territory), and when. Dear EU, this is of crucial concern for Dubrovnik and Croatia, please don’t drag this thing forever.

  55. avatar
    Kristijan Sašilo

    It’s not so much a question as it is a plea. Bruxelles is to decide how to connect the south of Croatia (Dubrovnik region) with the rest of Croatia (to avoid BiH territory), and when. Dear EU, this is of crucial concern for Dubrovnik and Croatia, please don’t drag this thing forever.

  56. avatar
    Teodorescu Dragos

    what is the dirrection in which EU is heading if we talk about extesion and which country will be the next one join by the EU?

  57. avatar
    Teodorescu Dragos

    what is the dirrection in which EU is heading if we talk about extesion and which country will be the next one join by the EU?

  58. avatar
    Catalin Rizea

    Every second child born in Romania is likely to live in severe poverty (Eurostats research across the Union). Currently, 15% of Romania’s active labour force is deployed outside the country, which signals a general failure in creating opportunities at home, unfortunately. How is the EU leadership going to create opportunities for the poorest to blossom in their own countries?

    • avatar
      Tarquin Farquhar

      How is the EU leadership going to create opportunities for the poorest to blossom in their own countries?

      Close Romania’s borders – bring in a multi-nation EU [minus Romania of course] task force and occupy Romania for 50 years. In that time the Romanians can be educated as to why ‘civil courage’ is important and on how to respectfully treat their Roma community.

      Perhaps a change of language to one more associated with formality, rectitude and cultural honesty might help too – anyone of the Northern EU languages might prove beneficial in this regard.

  59. avatar
    Tony Westfallen

    Very simple question….as no one knows the “real” economic situation in Croatia, how much is their membership going to cost the rest of Europe?

  60. avatar
    Tony Westfallen

    Very simple question….as no one knows the “real” economic situation in Croatia, how much is their membership going to cost the rest of Europe?

  61. avatar
    Christos Mouzeviris

    Croatia made it,Iceland did not.They decided to freeze their application. Britain is debating on leaving, while Norway and Switzerland still reject EU membership. Only the poorer states are still eager to join, that need help with their infrastructure. Is the EU still only an economic block that countries that join do so for economic reasons? And how can this be good for our continent, while it is clear that we need political union and further integration if we want the “European” project to succeed? Will countries ever decide to join or stay in the Union because of the common good (if such thing exists) instead of their national interests?

  62. avatar
    Christos Mouzeviris

    Croatia made it,Iceland did not.They decided to freeze their application. Britain is debating on leaving, while Norway and Switzerland still reject EU membership. Only the poorer states are still eager to join, that need help with their infrastructure. Is the EU still only an economic block that countries that join do so for economic reasons? And how can this be good for our continent, while it is clear that we need political union and further integration if we want the “European” project to succeed? Will countries ever decide to join or stay in the Union because of the common good (if such thing exists) instead of their national interests?

    • avatar
      Tarquin Farquhar

      Only the backward EU countries or the EU countries that are endemically culturally dishonest and/or unstable [AKA the EU ‘sponging’ nations] significantly benefit from EU membership – for all other EU countries the EU is a corrupt nigh-on bottomless money pit that needs to be overthrown!

  63. avatar
    Michele Browne

    Cyprus deserved what happened to them but I feel sorry for private sector employees who are paying the price so those in the public sector can get high pay and perks. All the warnings were there but we’re ignored, ostriches with their heads in the sand!!! I’m so pleased that the UK didn’t join the euro and any country that joins the EU now (they are required to join the euro), want their heads testing!

  64. avatar
    Michele Browne

    Cyprus deserved what happened to them but I feel sorry for private sector employees who are paying the price so those in the public sector can get high pay and perks. All the warnings were there but we’re ignored, ostriches with their heads in the sand!!! I’m so pleased that the UK didn’t join the euro and any country that joins the EU now (they are required to join the euro), want their heads testing!

  65. avatar
    Alan Haywood

    Why is the EU keen on the genocide of europeans by getting Islamic countries into the EU. This will not be a controllable situation in a generation or two or less!

  66. avatar
    Alan Haywood

    THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN REMOVED BY MODERATORS FOR BREACHING OUR CODE OF CONDUCT. REPLIES MAY ALSO BE REMOVED.

  67. avatar
    Unimatriks Ziro

    I’ll answer Alan’s question. Croatia is not an islamic country to start with. Everything else about Croatia is on the Internet :D To Tony Westfallen: Croatia’s economy is weak, everything has been bought by Germans :D

  68. avatar
    Unimatriks Ziro

    I’ll answer Alan’s question. Croatia is not an islamic country to start with. Everything else about Croatia is on the Internet :D To Tony Westfallen: Croatia’s economy is weak, everything has been bought by Germans :D

  69. avatar
    Pedro Celestino

    Poor guys :(, run while you have time, this is not a union its is a trap. It could be great but it isnt because banks, big corporations and corrupt politicians think they can do whatever they want…

  70. avatar
    Pedro Celestino

    Poor guys :(, run while you have time, this is not a union its is a trap. It could be great but it isnt because banks, big corporations and corrupt politicians think they can do whatever they want…

  71. avatar
    Hrvatsko Sunce

    Pedro Celestino, we are already in the hands of big corps and corrupted politicians, entering EU will give us more legal power to fight them. Right now we are run by ex communist secret service called UDBA and ex communist totalitarian politicians and their kids. EU is political heaven for Croatians.

  72. avatar
    Hrvatsko Sunce

    Ivan Johnny Tukari?, Croatia will improve if EU starts enforcing and helping Croatians to enforce the laws. First to punish our communist mass murderers, who were killing all over Europe during communism, like Josip Perkovi?. That will be the first step to destroy very very nasty and criminal enterprise in Croatia. That will automatically improve our economic and political situation.

  73. avatar
    Vicente Silva Tavares

    Hrvatsko Sunce, you are giving the wrong reasons to enter in the EU. Your politicians won’t go away just because you became a member of EU. Their power will be reinforced. Portugal asked EU membership because we were afraid of the Communist plots in prior years. See what happened: we were the 8th most industrial country in Europe. Now we are on the 22nd position. We lost our industries and we got unemployed. We got indeed a low interest rate so people rushed buying apartments and cars, the tax revenued droped so the Government started borrowing money and it lasted a few years until the financial investors started being suspictious about our capacity of paying. And we got bankrupt and we needed the intervention of Troika (IMF,IEB and EC). The only thing positive we got from EU was motorways and freedom of circulation. On the other hand we saw our economy being destroyed little by little.

  74. avatar
    Vicente Silva Tavares

    Hrvatsko Sunce, you are giving the wrong reasons to enter in the EU. Your politicians won’t go away just because you became a member of EU. Their power will be reinforced. Portugal asked EU membership because we were afraid of the Communist plots in prior years. See what happened: we were the 8th most industrial country in Europe. Now we are on the 22nd position. We lost our industries and we got unemployed. We got indeed a low interest rate so people rushed buying apartments and cars, the tax revenued droped so the Government started borrowing money and it lasted a few years until the financial investors started being suspictious about our capacity of paying. And we got bankrupt and we needed the intervention of Troika (IMF,IEB and EC). The only thing positive we got from EU was motorways and freedom of circulation. On the other hand we saw our economy being destroyed little by little.

  75. avatar
    Manuel Nunes

    Ask van Rompuy how much millions recieve from Bilderbergs to detroy European people ?

  76. avatar
    Uncle X

    Who are you?! You have the appearance of a low grade bank clark and the charisma of a wet rag. I never heared of you, nobody in Europe ever heared of you. I would like to know; Who voted for you?!

  77. avatar
    klassen

    Sorry but with all due respect , your not really a president of anything besides the eurogroup. I can understand the spin, but really a bit far fetched.
    Hey ive got an idea, why dont you hold referendums in the still free eu countries and ask the folks what they would like, FED or NO FED,i know its not the eurofile way to give people a say in thier future , but hey what the hell its just an idea. Afterall they pay your salary.
    How democratic are you, and how much respect do you have for fellow europeans?
    I have the feeling that its none of the above…..

  78. avatar
    ironworker

    Aren’t you (Van Rompuy) suppose to play golf or gardening or fishing instead of occupy someone else chair ? I expect an honest answer, … sure, that’s what I thought too.

  79. avatar
    Roman

    When Europe, finally, protect Ukraine from the Russian aggression?

    • avatar
      Roman

      This war with Russian Nazis should win Ukraine, and if Europe’s alienation from this process,–consequences, believe me, will be far worse than Hitler’s occupation of Western Europe.

  80. avatar
    Mac

    Who are people who stay behind you and other members of EP.

    • avatar
      Roman

      Mac, do you really not know? Sorry … Create obstacles including those who sets such stupid questions… Those people which ask such questins– stay behind me and members of EP.They prevent and impede Ukraine’s integration with Europe.But they still will not be able to do anything in this direction!!!!

    • avatar
      Roman

      This war with Russian Nazis should win Ukraine, and if Europe’s alienation from this process,–consequences, believe me, will be far worse than Hitler’s occupation of Western Europe.

  81. avatar
    Roman

    Mac, do you really not know? Sorry … Create obstacles including those who sets such stupid questions… Those people which ask such questins– stay behind me and members of EP.They prevent and impede Ukraine’s integration with Europe.But they still will not be able to do anything in this direction!!!!

    • avatar
      Roman

      This war with Russian Nazis should win Ukraine, and if Europe’s alienation from this process,–consequences, believe me, will be far worse than Hitler’s occupation of Western Europe.

  82. avatar
    Roman

    This war with Russian Nazis should win Ukraine, and if Europe’s alienation from this process,–consequences, believe me, will be far worse than Hitler’s occupation of Western Europe.

  83. avatar
    UncleX

    I just want to ask you the same thing, Nigel Farage already did: “Who voted for you?!”

    And got this other question, you think holding people in a collective currency, against their will, is economically efficient? I think not.

    We have to bring democracy back to the people, since only a local democratic government can be good for the economy.

    I think we need to go back to separate countries, with separate currency’s, that work together economically and as allies in NATO.

    So going back to the situation as it has been, before the Euro-currency disaster. Before the Euro-currency, I believed (and I still do) in European cooperation. We just have to do it as good neighbors. I really don’t need people from other parts of Europe thinking about Dutch laws. I want my freedom back!!!

    • avatar
      Roman

      What kind of currency and regional freedom in question, dear!!! Go down from heaven to earth, please!!! We are talking about blatant aggression, including economic, not only against Ukraine, but also the European Union!!! If you do not understand it, I feel sorry for you!!! Half of Europe is already sitting on a gas needle, will be even universal regional war in Europe, on the principle that–divide and conquer!!!Single a strong state (or their close-knit Union) and not its regions and not separate gangster separatist groups can save the world, and particularly Europe, from the deepest crisis.. Unity!!! Take the rod, and break it!!! Turned out? Now take a hundred, no two hundred rods-try and break it!!! This was known by Genghis Khan, Russia knows it too, unfortunately, in Europe are still idiots who don’t understand such simple things!!! No local no urban or rural municipality here speech does not go, we are talking about elementary separatism and banditry clean water…And if You still do not understand, I am sorry!!!

    • avatar
      Roman

      and yet… In any organ of the body you put your local democracy, if you’re without the invitation will come armed, well-coordinated group of tanks and other demonic Russian armed group of troops, (tanks Armat, for example) , which even modern NATO armaments nothing serious can’t do?You will talk about local democracy and local freedom?

  84. avatar
    Roman

    What kind of currency and regional freedom in question, dear!!! Go down from heaven to earth, please!!! We are talking about blatant aggression, including economic, not only against Ukraine, but also the European Union!!! If you do not understand it, I feel sorry for you!!! Half of Europe is already sitting on a gas needle, will be even universal regional war in Europe, on the principle that–divide and conquer!!!Single a strong state (or their close-knit Union) and not its regions and not separate gangster separatist groups can save the world, and particularly Europe, from the deepest crisis.. Unity!!! Take the rod, and break it!!! Turned out? Now take a hundred, no two hundred rods-try and break it!!! This was known by Genghis Khan, Russia knows it too, unfortunately, in Europe are still idiots who don’t understand such simple things!!! No local no urban or rural municipality here speech does not go, we are talking about elementary separatism and banditry clean water…And if You still do not understand, I am sorry!!!

  85. avatar
    Roman

    and yet… In any organ of the body you put your local democracy, if you’re without the invitation will come armed, well-coordinated group of tanks and other demonic Russian armed group of troops, tanks Armat, for example) , which even modern NATO armaments nothing serious can’t do?You will talk about local democracy and local freedom?

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