For the first time ever, the EU is shrinking. Since the 1957 Treaty of Rome, “ever closer union” has gone hand-in-hand with ever larger union. From an initial club of six members, the ranks of the European community have swelled to include 28 states. The prospective loss of the UK, however, will see that number fall for the first time.
The irony is that the UK has traditionally been among the Member States pushing hardest for EU enlargement. With the UK gone, will the EU’s appetite for expansion abate? The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has declared that “no further enlargement will take place” until at least 2020… but could the moratorium on new members extend even past that date?
Enlargement is certainly politically controversial, but hostility is not uniform across the bloc. In general, older Member States are much more opposed to seeing enlargement continue, whereas newer Member States are more open to expansion. In Germany and Austria, for example, roughly 70% of people say they are opposed to enlargement, whereas in Romania and Poland that number is less than 30%.
What do our readers think? We had a comment sent in from Neofytos on our ‘Suggest a Debate’ page, asking whether neighbouring countries in the Western Balkans should join the European Union. And, if they do join, is that where enlargement should end?
Does EU enlargement still make sense? We asked Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all sides of the political spectrum to stake out their positions on this question, and it’s up to YOU to vote for the policies you favour. See what the different MEPs have to say, then vote at the bottom of this debate for the one you most agree with! Take part in the vote below and tell us who you support in the European Parliament!
Ignazio Corrao (EFDD), Member of the European Parliament:
Curious to know more about EU enlargement? We’ve put together some facts and figures in the infographic below (click for a bigger version).
IMAGE CREDIT: CC / Flickr – neptunauta
With the support of:
523 comments Post a commentcomment
First EU needs to be drastically reworked from the inside, or it will fall appart
Absolutely true!
No it has defined borders
Germany always wanted to expand his empire.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but it’s somewhat ironic that you’re saying this while smiling in front of Brandenburg Gate.
I’m a vassal of the German Empire. It’s important to always visit the capital of the Empire. It’s a pity that I didn’t see the Empress Angela Merkel.
João Pedro Meireles 10/10 :D
Are the people who were in charge of Germany 100 years ago alive today and ruling today?
What empire does Germany have ? It is run by a coalition via a democracy and it is one of 28 countries in the EU . seems the empire days ended a long time ago https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Empire
The EU is ran by Germany and lobbyist.
Well, economically, eastward enlargement may be exactly what the EU needs to increase its sluggish growth rates. The new members are too small to act as the economic engine of a sluggish eurozone. However, the availability of a large pool of low-cost, highly skilled workers at their doorstep has helped West European companies to better cope with globalisation. And it has put pressure on governments in the old EU to make their labour markets more flexible and their business environments more attractive. However, politically the EU is still struggling to digest its biggest ever enlargem If the EU wants to restore enlargement as its most successful policy tool, it needs to deal with the misperceptions that fuel public opposition to enlargement. EU politicians, Brussels officials and the media need to make a much bigger effort to show how enlargement has benefited both Western and Eastern Europe. They need to explain that globalisation would have forced old Europe to change anyway, and that enlargement has helped many West European companies to stay competitive. They need to stop exploiting fears of Polish plumbers and instead pursue the kind of reforms that would allow their economies to benefit from a larger participation of East European workers.
LOL. Have You seen and understood the gdp growth stats of eastern european countries over last decade i.e. exactly the time the west was in depression and had negative growths?
Says Paweł Kunio
Any new member is welcomed, but I wouldn’t advice any country to join the current EU – make yourself a favour join the Mafia instead!
depending on the point of view. several regions have left EU, after gaining independency, like greenland and algeria, from denemark and france respectively and no one died. EU is good as it is and I believe it will be better after the brexit. scotland and northern ireland will make new referendums and will become independent and will join again EU, england and wales will be the ones who love from this brexit. they are already loosing.
I would also suggest the remaining countries to follow germany lidership, they are the biggest and strongest economy of EU. stop measuring dicks and with that complex of inferiority.
How much is worth your freedom? A nazicandy?
With EFTA-members yes, but eastern expansion is senseless!
The EU one step short of falling apart. It needs to solve its crisis before thinking on further enlargements.
You cannot be serious about the “For” arguments in the infographic?
Open up new markets?….the markets are already there, the only thing preventing European countries trading with these supposed new markets is the EU itself
Travel?…assuming people want to travel to these places, I suggest that probably won’t apply to 99% of the population
Stable and peaceful Europe?…good joke that one
Once the UK leaves only one third of the remaining countries will be net contributing so I would suggest if the EU wants to expand it needs to find another rich country willing to subsidise the rest in their profligate little club…good luck with that one
“Open up new markets?….the markets are already there, the only thing preventing European countries trading with these supposed new markets is the EU itself”
I think that’s misleading. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it was arguably the “carrot” of EU membership that helped encourage Central & Eastern European countries to transition from closed, socialist economies to liberal market economies. So, in a very real sense, EU enlargement helps to “create” markets.
Secondly, the EU helps to facilitate trade by setting common standards. Without the EU, trade would take place, but at a reduced level because of regulatory divergence (note: I’m not talking about tariffs and the WTO, but rather things like certification and other non-tariff barriers).
“Travel?…assuming people want to travel to these places, I suggest that probably won’t apply to 99% of the population”
Again, this is misleading. According to the UN World Tourism Organization – http://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284418145 – the number of international tourists going to new EU members is increasing rapidly year-on-year. Ukraine (not an EU member) has traditionally been a very popular tourist destination (all those Black Sea resorts). However, countries that have joined the EU (such as Poland and Croatia) have recently overtaken Ukraine. Obviously, the Ukraine crisis has had a large part to play in this, but even before the crisis the growth in the tourism sector has been higher in new EU member states than in Ukraine.
Inside the EU, new countries have cultivated a tourism industry faster than they would have been able to outside the EU. So, you might be right that 99% of the population doesn’t want to go to these countries right now. But that would change if they joined the EU and became more attractive destinations.
“Stable and peaceful Europe?…good joke that one”
Again, look at the alternatives. Those countries that haven’t joined the EU (Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, etc.) have been plagued with conflicts. I’m not suggesting that Azerbaijan should join the EU anytime soon. I’m saying that (for example) the issue of ethnic Hungarians in Romania could, conceivably, have been a flashpoint in the 1990s or 2000s if the two countries had never joined the EU (see the ethnic clashes of Târgu Mureş, for example).
I don’t dispute your points James but they are taken from the wrong perspective. There is no doubt that new countries joining the EU benefit greatly but in answer to the question asked as the topic of this thread, I would suggest any benefits to the EU are limited or even negative (unless of course, a net contributing country can be found)
There are very few countries which are impossible to trade with just because they aren’t in the EU ( EU rules permitting) so I still say there are no new markets but I suppose if it said making markets more accessible it would be nearer the truth
Likewise travel, there are very few countries it is impossible to visit if people really want to without needing them to join the EU, making things a bit easier for the few tourists certainly does not justify allowing free movement from poorer unstable countries
…and stability, yes it may well help the country joining the EU to become more stable though them joining does not help the EU in fact on past experience it makes things worse, there is sufficient instability in Greece, France, Italy etc at the moment to cause concerns without importing any more
Yeah, I see what you’re saying. However, I guess my point is “a rising tide lifts all boats”. It’s better for us if our neighbours are stable and prosperous. I think we’d both much prefer it if Syria were exporting olive oil to Europe instead of refugees.
Look at the Arab Spring. That’s an example where a series of pro-democracy revolutions ended in (with a couple of notable exceptions) civil war, violence, terrorism, etc. It’s easy to imagine that the collapse of the Soviet bloc could have followed a similar path. I think the EU should get more credit for handling that transition (and facilitating such a transition was central to the logic behind the Maastricht Treaty and the euro – it was never purely about economics).
Honestly, even though we’re heading out of the EU, the UK will still suffer if our neighbours are in chaos. We should wish the EU well, and hope they get their act together.
But, at the end of the day, I agree that the EU can’t continue expanding indefinitely. The Western Balkan countries should join. And, I suppose I’m arguing that the historical enlargement of the EU was, after all, a good thing. Because the alternatives would have been much more destructive than what we have today.
Says Paweł Kunio
does politician corrupted make sense?
Keep enlarging it! It’s the way to it’s end! More differences to the mix! Oh yea
We, the people of the country enslaved by germany and the other nordic country, must secede from this union.
We must build a real federation of free states away from the germanic enslavement
Russian Federation is a federation, but try to leave it ;)
I can’t tell if Andrea is joking. He sounds moronic.
I am, as a young man who know how to read and write, well aware of the necessity of an multinational organization in europe. (How will you compete with the brics otherwise).
I believe could be this europe? No.
I believe this europe is working in the interest of all the european? Hell no.
I believe we should abandon this failed project and rethink about a confederation and not a union? Hell yeah.
Democracy is yet struggling all over the world we don’t need more führer in europe. We need rapresentation for the south and we need to de-germanize europe. Otherwise i will be against it. Because it will be against me
a separate federation of south will fail in hunger and chaos in matter of a couple of years or will completely surrender to the russians
Andrea Scacchi as 1,75 m, black hairs, brown eyes and dark skin, I am totaly for the nazis… those who defended the superiority of the arians… people that have absolutly nothing to do with me. ?????? do you really believe all germans are nazis? then you are nothing but an ignorant idiot. so shut the fuck up.
YES, Strong Europe United Europe
Certainly. Western Balkans must join as soon as possible. It is a matter of saving human lives and preventing wars.
EU is the only answer of so called Balkanization. Only this keeps Western Balkans not fighting.
@Borislav Sotirov
A tyrannical Yugoslavia kept the Balkans in check – a tyrannical EU will keep the nation states in check!
The EU needs to consolidate itself or else we will have no EU to expand!
The EU needs to consolidate itself or else we will have no EU to expand!
hater
With all the problems we have and you still want to increase the size? Is this a run forward?
Yes, to the edge of the cliff
João Pedro Meireles 10/10 :D
Absolutely NO
A slow enlargement.
It never made sense and has been the ruin of the original concept.
You have turned the European history, culture and civilisation into a thrid world anarchy similar to North Korea. And if the public dare to speak out against the its demise you want to stick duck tape across their mouth.
It’s not off the table but first it’s necessary to clean the house ! First solve the problems that the current EU have, than think of enlargement.
It makes.
And have more Eastern European countries? We should go back to it being a block for Western Europe only. The east only drives down salaries and living.
Ke Ny-Ski Romania is the second country in Europe by the gold, oil, gas, stone, cement, salt resource amounts after Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine is going to be the biggest country of EU that has one of the richest soil in the world, with huge amount of zinc and iron ore, as well as agricultural friendly lands. Georgia has just found out about 10 billion m2 of gas, this is also a holy land of Orthodocs, also having a sea and mountains it is rich in mineral resources. Republic of Moldova has the highest level of soil quality in the world, with a high ranking school students achievements in the world. These are investition that will bring a bigger profit with years. Look at Germany today. The West side was so advanced during 2 WW period, while the Eastern communist part – poor and underdeveloped. Reuniting, the west Germany has lost twice in GDP, as today they gained a 7.6 times bigger amount of revenue. It’s an investment. Look at the Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations’ Book.
If Romania is so rich why is it one of the top 5 net beneficiaries from the EU budget?
Paul X, because it needs to develop and build more than others, it needs more money. Why is UK giving foreign aid to the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world? Isn’t it to help them get better? It is the same with EU funding – the principle is solidarity with those who are in greater need than others. But it is another topic that many in UK hate Eastern Europeans (without even knowing who they are or anything about their countries beyond general statistics) and only want to help poor Africans and Asians, rather than Europeans. This is why they voted to leave the EU…
Maia, it’s time you took that big chip off your shoulder and stopped wallowing in self pity in the belief that the only reason the UK voted to leave the EU was “a hate of Eastern Europeans”
You claim we “don’t even know who they are or anything about their countries beyond general statistics”……..correct, we don’t…….. and conversely, you do not know anything about why people in the UK voted to leave the EU beyond what you read in the right wing gutter press
I suggest you put down the Daily Mail and accept the reality that many people in the UK voted to leave the EU because we don’t want to be part of a profligate, elitist political project, which is driven by arrogance, rife with corruption and cronyism and being run for the benefit of a priviliged few
.(..and FYI, many also disagree with the size of the UK overseas aid budget but that is not a European issue and not relevant to this forum)
Paul, the British people only started hating the EU project once they understood it would not allow them to stop the free movement of workers from the former Communist countries. So it all comes down to that. It is unbelievable that you are ready to harm your economy and become poorer, only to limit the numbers of those workers into your country… Not that this will solve any of your problems… Salaries will not go up, so the exercise is all in vain and I will not be surprised, if shortly after UK exits EU, it applies for membership again…
I mentioned the foreign aid because it is UK’s own equivalent of EU contributions, but to non-EU countries. The reason why Romania is a beneficiary of European funding is the same as the reason why UK is helping countries with foreign aid. What’s the problem with helping Romania?
Maia, you are 100% wrong
Why did the UK have a referendum on continued EEC membership in 1975 if everyone was so happy with it?…
In the 1980’s when the EU political leaning was to the Right the UK government was socialist, the EU started going to the Left the UK voted in Tories, EU and UK politics have always been at polar opposites
Do you think everyone loved the EU during the crisis in 1992 when UK interest rates shot up to 15% and we were kicked out of the ERM?
The UK has always had a large percentage of population that distrust/dislike the EEC/EU and if you think UK Eurosceptism only began in 2004 you really are seriously misinformed.
And I have no problem helping Romania, but maybe you can explain why that help has to be channelled through the EU (where half of it is skimmed off to keep the Brussels bureacracy running) surely it would be far more effective for the UK to contribute direct to Romania from its foreign aid budget?
Paul, watch now how your government will take measures to increase immigration from USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and then tell me again that I am wrong! When they start coming, suddenly there will not be pressure on housing, hospitals and schools and there will be a place for everyone, the small island that is now supposedly full, will suddenly become empty… of unwanted Polish, Romanian and Bulgarian workers! And I seriously doubt UK cares so much about helping Romania with foreign aid. Bye-bye Europe and 21st century, hello British Empire and 19th century! This is what Brexit means. I will only accept I am wrong, if events in the next few years prove me wrong!
Maia, I said you are wrong in your claim that UK’s dislike/distrust (“hating” is a bit too strong) of the EU only started when the eastern European countries joined (2004)….
I very much doubt many Americans, Canadians and New Zealanders will want to emigrate to the UK, historically it has always been the other way round and I cannot see anything the government could possibly do to to reverse that trend?
..and I fail to see why you think all the Eastern European workers (or any European workers for that matter) will stop coming to the UK. Brexit does not mean some “Trump type” ban on anyone from Europe entering the UK. If there is job opportunities with a local skill shortage then there is no reason applicants from outside the UK could not apply…..so they may have to fill in a form for a work permit so what?….no great additional effort for someone who is keen to work in the UK……this is actually in line with that great “cornerstone” of the EU as described in the Treaty of Rome where the original freedom of movement was for workers with a job or to take up an offer of a job…. so how can any Euro-fanatic object if it is as per the Treaty of Rome?
Paul, any EU workers that feel unwanted, unwelcome and harassed, will stop coming. All I can say is that with the decision in the referendum the British people cooked for themselves a soup that will be too hard to eat… But now they all have to eat it and there is no way out of this. Just imagine – you put chicken and vegetables in the pot, but other things start popping up – worms, bugs, eyes, god knows what… and you have to eat it all in the end! I would call it Brexit Surprise Soup…
Maia
If you ever invite me for dinner I think I’ll pass on the soup… :-)
@Maia Alexandrova
Hmm, is your soup a local delicacy?
Does it come with chips?
Tarquin Farquhar, don’t you remember? You cooked that soup with the referendum, it is not mine, but a new British delicacy (compulsory for everyone in UK, whether they like it or not). This is because you have certain great expectations and aims for UK outside the EU, but you don’t know what the actual result of the negotiations will be (better or worse deal for UK) and what unexpected, unpleasant surprises may come up in the process (for example legal challenges, voting in the British and EU parliaments rejecting agreed terms, referendums on Scottish independence or unification of Ireland, further currency devaluation, etc. – everything is uncertain and unpredictable). Yet if the final outcome is worse for Britain, you can’t opt out – you have to take it and leave the EU anyway. This is what I meant by Brexit Surprise Soup – a reality created by the unintended consequences of unrealistic and overconfident expectations…
Maia, I do not disagree with anything you have written….well…. all apart from the last line that is….
There is plenty of uncertainty, and as you correctly say, no one can predict what the outcome will be for the UK whether better or worse…so why do you finish by saying we have “unrealistic and overconfident expectations” when nobody knows?
some countries will leave Europe some of them will want to be a part of this…must be like this otherwise will become a normal nation like any other nation in the world…
Brexit,Nexit,Frexit… We don’t need European Union at all.
Why is union worse than federation?
Tamara Jegorov There will be no Nexit or Frexit at all
Wlodzimierz Gontarz I did’t say I prefer some kind of federation to union.
After La Pen amd Wilders, there will be.
Hot air fills all available space..
Look across our external borders. Enlargement makes a lot of sense.
For now…no!
No, because after every enlargement you need a longer consolidation period. There are things that are more important to tackle right now: an economic policy that is really an expression of solidarity, common defense as the NATO model seems to be fizzling out, integration of legal codes and so on. In fact, the last few expansions should have been kept on the backburner until some of those issues were resolved. On the other hand: the circumstances twisted the decision maker’s arms. Having an unstable Eastern flank would not have been very helpful either.
I am, as a young man who know how to read and write, well aware of the necessity of an multinational organization in europe. (How will you compete with the brics otherwise).
I believe could be this europe? No.
I believe this europe is working in the interest of all the european? Hell no.
I believe we should abandon this failed project and rethink about a confederation and not a union? Hell yeah.
Democracy is yet struggling all over the world we don’t need more führer in europe. We need rapresentation for the south and we need to de-germanize europe. Otherwise i will be against it. Because it will be against me
Not at all! Cant help, but to be reminded of:
1876 Germany’s Richard Wagner: “The Ring of the Nibelung” or “The Twilight of the Gods” (“Götterdämmerung”). “The ring”- a symbol power- is- but losing it. Brussels “Valhalla” in flames & chaos!
Further, the father of modern fantasy literature- British J. R. R. Tolkien 1954 “The Lord of the rings” presents a similar scenario. Saying to his son: ”it is distressing to see the press groveling in the gutter…..”
“One Ring to rule them all (EC).
“One Ring to find them (co-opted national politicians)”.
“One Ring to bring them all (EU empty promises)”
“and in the darkness bind them (EU Treaties).”
Are we living in the shadow of Mordor where the flames of Mount Doom is spreading twilight over Middle earth? Political phantasies turn into nightmares- great literature becomes reality . Was that bygone foresight in hindsight?
We need to realize why E.U is important and which values all nations will hold dear. Unless we do that there will always be a reason for some countries to leave.
No, the EU needs to explain to the tax paying public why it is so important……..along with justifying all it’s decision processes, departmental expenditures etc etc
Ander Anderson Once they told me that USSR will never fall appart,but we did it! And believe me,we’ll break down this terrible EUSSR even quicker than former Soviet-Union.
Just a short comment on “Who do YOU agree with on this issue?”:
TMHO, the only determined and precise answer came from Mr. Sander Loones (ECR)- within an all but only group of 8 pro EU parties. The rest was uncertain rumblings by insecure bureaucrats. There are no great ideas or alternative concepts emerging- just more repetitions & compliance to an old, inflexible pro EU agenda.
And- any participation in voting should be private & confidential- without being asked/forced to disclose any details.
Yes….but with respect and democracy….not as it is now…with greed and humiliation. BUT Europe must remain european.
No the EU should stop and never accept the only few Balkan countries which are not in yet. Let the Balkan countries start WWIII. It’s better for the EU. Does it make sense?!
No. They have multiple worlds now
Seriozisht e ke vllai ????!!!!! 😵😵😵
Andi Ahmetaj Jo ore, po e them me shaka. Vetem dy-tre vende nuk jane ne BE dhe ata duan te ndalojne zgjerimin. Ta besh kete gje eshte krim.
No, it doesn’t!
I think the best for the EU should be to enlarge with Russia.
Disintegrate before enlargement. It will be healthy for region and world.
Eu needs to consolidate its foundation, return to its original purpose, and expand carefully. The EU was a economic union and should’ve never become political. So, my opinion is that it should continue to expand in Europe, but wane its political power and focus only on economic partnership. It should only focus on the political sense where economy is concerned, in a unified sense, and not supervise and impose in other countries by promoting debt and enslavement through it.
Don’t even have a plan going forward with the existing EU partners!! It’s falling apart at the seams!!
Monetary unions always failed in The past
EU is a fiasco….
It is not true, EU it is necessary to be powerful, otherwise another bad power could take all. We have to trust in God and to understand It’s will.
So in this case we all become slaves to the Germans, who btw are seemingly the only ones that are benefiting!! Which other bad power do you refer to???
If Russia wants too … ?!
EU need to be rebranded….
European life and culture is degrading,we should clean up first on our own yard before welcoming the neighboors,or the globalist oligarchy just want more cheap work force?
That’s exactly that.
UE? = FLOP!!
YES. Western Balkans, maybe Ukraine. And Scotland, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland if they want
The enlargement is strictly necessary if we want stable and peaceful Europe. More than we have already many directives that are a stupid if we apply only in a part of Europe (such are those in nuclear energy)
But it is obvious if we don’t reduce the difference between the standard of life from rich and poor countries in a medium period will be more eurosceptics.
The reasons for and against enlargement there are some stupid. I believe that first of all it is a historical liabilities of west countries. Here in est countries we pay to much under Soviet Union keeping free West Europe. More than after 1989 West Europe win not only the market from East Countries, win also the market of those countries in the world commerce.
Don’t forget what said Major in the case of Brexit.
Anyway in the case that again West Europe will be selfish and will not be a real win-win cooperation it is obvious that the people of Est Countries have the pround and prefer as quick as possible to stop the game.
It has sense, but it’s time for a pause. We’re not in a hurry. (y)
N O
It is not true, EU it is necessary to be powerful, otherwise another bad power could take all. We have to trust in God and to understand It’s will.
Absolutely NO. And it soon will break down.
It is not true, EU it is necessary to be powerful, otherwise a power will take all. We bave to trust in God and to understand It’s will.
Sorry, I don’t believe in God.
Yes. Yes. And Yes. One day EU will mean ‘Earth Union.’ Our human problems can only be solved by unity, not tribalism.
@Ken Pope
One World Government ==> HELL ON EARTH!
Seriozisht e ke vllai ????!!!!! ???
EU should reach Europe’s georgraphical size, without Russia and Turkey, for obvious reasons. So, including Balkan countries and Moldavia. Why? So simple. Would it have been possible for Europe to get as rich without eastern contributors? I think not. Could anyone imagine USA, ori China or Russia with o hole in the middle? I think not. Even the middle territories of those countries are poorer that the coasts. Any territory left behind will be swallowed by Russia and I think EU can’t afford this.
Can you imagine USA, China or Russia with a hole in the middle?!? I think not. Any territory left behind will be swalowed by Russia and EU can.t afford this.
There is a so called union with a swiss cheese hole in its centre. Called EU 😁
And suiss has nocontracts with the EU?
As a matter of fact, Suiss has many contracts with similar rights, pays a lit and has no voting right…but sure, swiss produces all the goods needed alone and autharc *face>desk*
I have never thought about Suisse, it s like being inside. I was thinking about Balkans when reffering to the inner hole of EU.
We have a hole: Switzerland!
fuck no !
instead of making a federation we made a stupid “thing” , I don’t even have worlds to describe this monstrocity !
It is not true, EU it is necessary to be powerful, otherwise a power will.take all. We bave to trust in God and to understand It’s will.
so it’s powerful now ? it’s not powerful its a joke ! we should have gone to federation and a NOT enlargement !
Yes, unifying is a key of progress. If divide some “power” will obtain the main result. In EU the key will be cultures and religions. Economic development have to preserve and understand the environment. For that we have to understand GOD will. We have to trust in God otherwise the future, is cultural marxism.
You are naive!!! There are huge disparities in the EU!! As pointed out recently we have politics on the one side of the Rhine and rules on the other side!!! One country can never flourish at the expense of another and to date Germany is the only country benefiting from the Euro!!
Are dreptate tipu asta philip. Ii doare la bascheti pe vestici de estici.. suna bn uniti. Dar pol sunt f diferite de la o tara la alta.. uitate pe net la declaratiile celor dnla bruxelles… nau nici o legatura cu interesele estului…
when I see people referring to a god in a political subject I am fucking scared
OF COURSE NO
Yes!
There is a so called union with a swiss cheese hole in its centre. Called EU ?
It is a ponzi scheme so it has to
of course yes.plenty of room now that whose racist brits are out
@Rosca Rares-Bogdan
LOL!
Your comment is in and of itself RACIST!
Well, considering the media’s fear and hatemongering, no, no it doesn’t.
Only thing making sense is getting out as fast as possible!
no. EU can only work with maximum 18 countries: the euro zone
So no Sweden and Denmark?
According to Guy Verhofstadt statements EU is trying hard to find out its way for a better stronger and safe EE .Stabilize first of all and then go forward for enlargement with strick creteria for the countriew indent to assessed…
The difference in the standard of living and the economic opportunities of the population will be even greater than in the case of the last new members. The last expansions resulted in the massive emigration of the skilled workforce from east to the west and the influx of cheap mass-production outplacing local production. The social coat to the new members is enormous.
We need to take those lessons learned seriously. I think some of the economic compensation (subsidies) to the new members should be distributed more directly to grassroot SME’s instead of putting all of it into the big infrastructural developments.
Against ! Thé big cantry wil profiting of the poor cantry. They buy Land with litle prises. So on…
Against ! Thé big cantry wil profiting of the poor cantry. They buy Land with litle prises. So on…
Yes
Against any further enlargement.
Not only it does not make sense but I think that the EU enlargement has been too quick and superficial.
…good is to open that link and vote inside….comments are for nothing here…
Absolutely. Not only it still does, but it does so especially now.
Still enlargement ? Maybe with Turkey, since they became a truly muslim state under Erdogan and Europe does its best for the benefit of Muslims. Less for the benefits of UE countries citizens.
…says one who reads Pamala Geller and posts lies and “alternative facts” on their page. The story on your page about a kid being beat because he had blue eyes…is neonazi propaganda….. there are tons of such disinformation on the internet. Are you a Putin Troll? just asking?
Thankfully, we are leaving this shambles…
Yes…back to “Little England”…..
Little things survived when dinosaurs perished.
Sorry Mark it’s not a shambles it was formed to benefit German industry and French farming and that is what it does.
The EU is not about co-operation, it is is essentially about who can get what from other countries, a bunch of faceless unelected bureaucrats who have to act like dictators in order to get any policy put through, as everybody is pulling in different directions. Little Britain, grow up, I want inmigrantes from all over the world to enter, not giving carte blanche to EU citizens, it should go con what skills person can bring, treating those outside the EU differently, is discrimination, in addition, having the EU as a middle man in tarde is absolutely absurd, the UK, survives on trade, EU bureaucracy only restricta this.
Leaving is about more trade not less.The remoaners just don’t get it.
No.
yes most definitively yes , the eu needs to get acros the ideea that if putin is fighting againts democracy , we are fighting for it and will stand with the ones willing to fight for it also ,now that there is no more ‘murika in the picture maybe the eu can do proper work in the world not just star wars (like ‘murika)
To waaaaar!!!
Bria Alexandru Bogdan i meant trough ideeas ( like extending to countries who want and pursue adherence )
Bria Alexandru Bogdan sunt pacifist frate :)
And suiss has nocontracts with the EU?
As a matter of fact, Suiss has many contracts with similar rights, pays a lit and has no voting right…but sure, swiss produces all the goods needed alone and autharc *face>desk*
Even the most passionate EU enthusiast has to take stock and say the EU should not be expanding its borders at least for the foreseeable future.
There’s a migration crisis, growing illiberal tendencies from the eastern States of the EU, high unemployment among young people, Brexit (I’m British) and shrinking economies.
The EU needs to be introspective right now and solve these challenges and many more before it expands and integrates more states. work and cooperate closer with neighbouring states, help them reform their institutions and cooperate economically with them but approach expansion cautiously.
Nop…at least for now.
till when?
For Turkey surely not in the next 30 years if u vote in favor of Erdogan in the referendum.. 😝
I didnt say for Turkey
Personally the next Countries that I would love to see in are Serbia & Albania
I think they are Montenegro and (if they want) Iceland
For Turkey surely not in the next 30 years if u vote in favor of Erdogan in the referendum.. ?
Personally the next Countries that I would love to see in are Serbia & Albania
yes, to strengthen the european continent.
No, time now to deepen and consolidate the core.
The strategy of super enlargement including to Turkey, etc. was conceived by the people who wanted a large weak and paralyzed divided Europe.
Well given that we’ll soon be loosing one of the few members that are actually net payers into this lunatic asylum,why the hell would anyone want to bring in any more countries that will just take out of the system and export their unskilled workforce to other richer parts of the continent,
The only reason these nations want to join is for the free money.
The whole concept of enlargement was that countries had to meet certain criteria before they could join but… for some reason countries whose economies were not up to speed were allowed to join. This has created a lot of problems. So, enlargement should follow this strategy and could either make sense or not. And countries should join the Eurozone when they are ready to rather than be given a date on the day they become a member.
The people going on about Turkey, was anyone ever serious about that one or was the membership considered simply because it had to and it had to somehow be made obvious to Turkey that it doesn’t qualify because of itself? The country does not belong to Europe culturally. There are even countries outside of Europe that are more European than Turkey.
I understand that Iceland is wanting to revive its membership, so perhaps it will be the next one to join. The FYROM has major internal issues which are causing issues with neighbours as well. It is not appropriate.
Given that any treaty change requires unanimity amongst 27 states, any fundamental amendment to the EU’s constitution is now impossible. They might get unanimity on a change to the flag or anthem, but there will never again be any change to the fundamental balance of power between the Member States and the EU’s central bodies. They should have thought about reforming the unanimity/QMV rules back in the 80s when the EU was still of a manageable size.
Yes but should include any countries of the Middle East which are non European and neither countries which do not meet EU standards
The EU is not about co-operation, it is is essentially about who can get what from other countries, a bunch of faceless unelected bureaucrats who have to act like dictators in order to get any policy put through, as everybody is pulling in different directions. Little Britain, grow up, I want inmigrantes from all over the world to enter, not giving carte blanche to EU citizens, it should go con what skills person can bring, treating those outside the EU differently, is discrimination, in addition, having the EU as a middle man in trade is absolutely absurd, the UK, survives on trade, EU bureaucracy only restrict this. However, what do you hear back, MSM propaganda, ‘Little Britain’, ‘unity’, ‘uncontrolled mmigration has no impact’, ‘more federalism’. It is no wonder so many are unable to think for themselves, taking into account the moral high ground of MSM, the política elite, the moral minority (all taken in by big business), rather than one of common sense.
Yes, it makes sense for those countries whose people really want it and not for Turkey where the government only wants that.
This video gives some insight into why further EU enlargement doesn’t make sense. It is simply an arm of the Globalist elite who do not have the welfare of Western citizens, or any world citizen, at heart. Their interests lay only in their continued amassment of personal wealth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNj3nKoWUIk
I think this questioned shouldn’t be addressed to an entity like the EU, the most successful peace project of our century. If we try to give a second thought to answer this question, the answer will be so easy.
The EU is a big and complex regional integration never existed in the globe. The particularity of the EU is also to cope with complex issues, crises and at the same time focusing on the future for a better regional integration. Therefore, for the question of the enlargement, there has absolutely nothing to do with current problems challenging EU. Yes, true, not only the EU but the globe as a whole going through changes so the EU should focus on all side of problems by implementing better policies. Finally, if you really think that the enlargement is entering into a stalemate, that means the end of the EU and its mechanism.
@Musa
I think you mean NATO and not the EU!
“The particularity of the EU is also to cope with complex issues, crises ” can you give any examples of complex issues or crises that the EU has been able to (successfully) deal with?…..not including ones of it’s own making that is….
Yes to the rest of Balkan in 20 years and Ukraine and Turkey in next 40 years.
Not even then.
Let’s first of all go for a union core governed by majority voting, with an elected chairman of the union, who forms a commission limited to the core competences, in order to realise a deeper integration of its core member states / regions:
> Common tax system, social regulations, monetary union.
> Common migration policy, common border control, free movement within the core member states.
> Common intelligence – defence – federal police – federal justice & foreign policy.
> Common intelligent power distribution network.
Member states who do not wish to attend to this core level of integration can remain part of an economic union (outer shell) with consultative voting rights.
Potential new union members should first adhere to the economic union and prove their readiness for core membership.
Of course, it does. Why exclude single European countries? Doesn’t make sense. Calm down and breath steady, nationalists :-)
Ander Anderson they said the same about Brexit, and Trump…
What borders? Thank Merkel for putting an end to that…
Now the EU is god’s will? Haahahah ahahahahahah you made my day…
Wanting to be self governed has nothing to do with racism… Turn off your TV, it will help
Not using tv.and it’s not just about self goverment.tell that to the polish for example
Had the EU federalized, so that EU Parliament, directly elected by the people of the member states, had law creating powers, and the Commission none, Brexit would not have happened. Brits would have had more direct influence over EU policies that affected them. And states not in the EU would be more willing to join. Now? It’s a failed project that probably won’t reunite unless forced to by war from an outside aggressor. I said the same 10 years ago!
It may make sense for the candidate countries, but for the existing EU it would be stirring up xenophobic feelings and weaken the already weak governance structure of EU. Candidates have no good democratic track record, are poor and politically and ethnically very diverse. And Turkey is definitely too big to become a member and too much directed at illiberal, theocratic rule. I understand the candidature in the 1960’s but now its membership would be a big mistake. EU first needs reconstruction now, including debate on the future of the EURO and decison making structures.
.
Given one of the few net contributors is leaving the EU is it really in any position to take on more financial basket cases just to make itself look more important in the world ?
Obviously the EU is not but that won’t stop the empire builders in Brussels from doing it.
Drop Turkey. The EU is enough as it is. The EU has special relationships with many other countries. Just create special trade relationships from now on.
Yes, we need Turkey and Syria.
No! Enough is enough! First, EU need to solve a lot before moving on… if! Where’s the limit?
In time yes. Right now I think the EU needs to re-enforce itself against threats internal & external to its principles and values.
Does the EU still make sense, when it benefits only the banks?
Shut up Putin troll , it makes sense now , that Putin has officially blessed Marie Le Pen …
You must be some special kind of stupid!
“Putin troll” oh my god, these people are serious aren’t they? :D
Hey Greek go kiss Putin’s butt. You love him. Greeks Europe’s spoilt beneficiaries are now turning to Russia as Europe wants to audit how they ve been spending its money
Some Albanian trash is putinophobic. Go suck Erdogans dick. He dressed your poor police after all!
Yes, with Russian Federation it does.
NO. What makes sense is to consolidate what we have, fix what is wrong, and make sure it works. Then we can think about expansions.
EU cannot hold what it hass already. It is undemocratic, against freedom of speech, and even tyranical. It needs complete rework.
The fact that you can write such critic ( without any proof) on a public page implies that you have freedom of speech. If you want to be more credible you can base your assumptions on facts rather than adjectives that express a personal opinion
Depends about what. If i say something against migrants or feminism etc, i could be raided by the police as some have been already. We almost have blasphemy laws. One political stance is being more and more forced. I did not even get the chance to vote for most EU officials that are impacting my country, that is a fact. There is plenty of proof for my claims.
I have never heard of anyone being raided by the police for expressing their own opinion. Even extremists have freedom of association in the EU. Of course, if somebody wants to be misogynistic, xenophobic and blaspheme, then you can expect society to be against this, as this behavior does not correspond to modern values. I didn’t vote for many EU officials either but rather than concentrate on the negative aspects try to think about the positive ones, every country, even the smaller ones get a chance to speak. We haven’t had a war since 1945. We can live and travel anywhere in the eu without a visa. Poorer regions get economic help. Imagine all this gone, it would be a step back of 20 years in history at least
Tool used is broadening definition of “hate speech” to encompass everything ruling party wants. Yes there where homes raided for political facebook posts. Here both left and right use it against eachother. Even comedy shows got canceled because of it. Getting some economic health for a price of freedom is not a good trade
NO! What makes sense is to consolidate what we have, fix what is wrong, and make sure it works. Then we can think about expansions.
EU cant even control the crisis within,thoughts for enlargement can not be fulfilled at this moment
Ila La
Not in the near future. Deeper consolidation and integration of common policies and institutions is needed. The EU is too unstable even now, with further expansion it will become even more unstable.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and I would be in favour of full federalisation of the Union modelled on the Australian constitution, whereby the main legislative and governing powers would rest with Brussels, however, the member states would have powerhouse parliaments with specific delegated powers and a high degree of self autonomy. We need to bring back democracy to the central foundation of the project to give it democratic legitimacy and accountability to the European peoples. I’m sick of unelectic baffoons like Junker thinking a 31 page white paper with 5 vague options for reform is acceptable – it is not and we need real leadership accountable by and for the European peoples.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and I would be in favour of full federalisation of the Union modelled on the Australian constitution, whereby the main legislative and governing powers would rest with Brussels, however, the member states would have powerhouse parliaments with specific delegated powers and a high degree of self autonomy. We need to bring back democracy to the central foundation of the project to give it democratic legitimacy and accountability to the European peoples. I’m sick of unelectic baffoons like Junker thinking a 31 page white paper with 5 vague options for reform is acceptable – it is not and we need real leadership accountable by and for the European peoples.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and I would be in favour of full federalisation of the Union modelled on the Australian constitution, whereby the main legislative and governing powers would rest with Brussels, however, the member states would have powerhouse parliaments with specific delegated powers and a high degree of self autonomy. We need to bring back democracy to the central foundation of the project to give it democratic legitimacy and accountability to the European peoples. I’m sick of unelectic baffoons like Junker thinking a 31 page white paper with 5 vague options for reform is acceptable – it is not and we need real leadership accountable by and for the European peoples.
Yes but only after deeper integration that will lead to political and economic stability, harmonization, and unification. If the internal issues are not solved, then there is no point of discussing further integration. What’s the point of bringing more voices in a union where there already a cacophony?
No just revert it to the earlier economic union and leave at that
First you fix the problems with what’s already in the Union.
Otherwise you’re just adding more to the chaos that already is.
No, but in any case Norway should give the EU all their money in their Oil Fund, and then stay out of the EU.
The EU needs to have the same wages and benefits EU-wide to stop greedy corporations exploiting weaker members. But enough enlargement with non-compatible countries. Just special trade agreements are enough from now on. Job availability has decreased in my country since joining the EU, which may be very clever of the pro-corporation EU in the short-term but if the EU doesn’t start serving the people too it will be its downfall in the long- term.
No
Yes if the european country is ready ( Turkey is not european )
.
The more poor Nations join the EU the poorer the whole becomes.
The time to dismantle the failed European project is getting close.
Facts and figures. For the time being I do not see people becoming poorer in the east, every time I go there is ne infrastructure and their salaries increase.
This is why Ukraine would like to Join, because they see how life has improved in Poland or Hungary since they have joint.
This is by the way very hypothetical from their government to say that the EU didn’t bring anything. They would not dare leaving it
Not with Germany. Germany is the poison of Europe.
For the moment only Scotland.
I think it just makes sense to integrate the Baklans. No more. (If they want)
As for Norway, Iceland, Switzerland this is their choice.
Turkey has become incompatible with the EU.
But for the time being, it is probably more important to finalize Brexit before any enlargement.
There is also the question of the Eurozone. There are still 5 countries that have to join. We have to make the necessary work to continue their integration in the currency area.
Indeed, the Balkan States should be allowed to join as soon as they are ready. EU priority right now though should be democratic reform. Only when Norway, Switzerland and Iceland ask to join will the EU know it is on the right track. Russia is more European than Turkey, and neither can be considered eligible or viable for now.
No especially if this mean including Brotherhood supporters!
The EU is an embarrassing re-run of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – too many different peoples, cultures and languages pretending to be part of the same country. It’s not natural. Europe is not like the USA, and nor should it try to be. The EU needs to be scrapped, and let individual european countries govern themselves. The best alternative is the EFTA – European Free Trade Association.
Does the EU still make sense ? Not really. It’s an old idea which has run its course. Europe should be an EFTA at the very most (Free Trade Association) and that is it. Individual countries shoud run themselves, and not t have most of their laws given to them by a false parliament by Brussels.
Yes and No, we need to counteract the degeneracy of North Western Europe and their moral imperialism ,however,I’m not sure expansion is the best way to do this
Will should firstly deal with our internal issues and then expand
EU has failed European citizens in every level from the rising unemployment, austerity to the destruction of the social Europe. Eurocrats have embraced neoliberalism at the full speed knowing they have no accountability to be held on. Europe is in vital need of representative democracy otherwise it will have the fate of Soviet Union. Great Britain is the first crack on this rotten ship
Εurope must stabilize its walking steps that still is unstable and then you are talking about enlargements..
EU has only illusion of democracy. It is turning in to tyranny. If freedom is not right of its countries, it will fall appart. Worst thing is that EU does not protects its citizens. It can be fixed, but i doubt it will.
You’re right, I also remember EU secret police bashing my door down, accusing me and my family of not being gay enough… Then when they searched our home, they found a Bible in my native tongue…
They sent me to the camps for this. The EU must be stopped! Their dictatorship is like Nazi Germany!
(I’m being sarcastic and you’re a cunt)
The EU must first do it’s job. No border control, no discipline in rule of law
No!
Of course not… close borders expulse all muslims..
And racists.
And dumbs and stupids and so on
Sad to see people “fight for Europe” while destroying european ideals…
European ideals have nothing in common with islamization and with their culture… simple as that… since the refugee income the terror , the rapes and the lack of freedom in some parts of cities are common as day light…. stop close your eyes to very dangerous things that are happening every day… but you wont see in the night news for sure…
You know what the judges say as a verdict to a refugee rape ? Miss culture understandig… don’t need to say more …
Where would you expel Muslims who were born in Europe? Fucking idiot.
Let’s protect all the European countries which want to from the Russian threat. Ukraine and Georgia first !
Georgia is not in Europe and neither European. You are basically trying to portray the EU like the US… You can’t be that dumb
Considering geography is the same in every country makes you dumber than me. In France, Caucasian countries are European (Im a geography teacher of you want to know)
.
Two more bankrupt countries to join the EU ?
Suicide.
Paschalis Bourletsikas – can you please define Europe and European?
Georgia is a member of the Council of Europe. I guess there is a reason why.
Also, have you been to Georgia? I have. Multiple times. And they are culturally as European as Bulgarians or Greek.
NO! Not only NO, hell NO!
We need to fix and consolidate what we have before thinking of expansionisms!
NO! Not only NO, hell NO!
We need to fix and consolidate what we have before thinking of expansionisms!
Nope, until we can’t get EU to work good as it is… then maybe we could think about enlargements.
Now we are the period of “DOES EU MAKES SENSE”
of course it does, but let’s get that EU Border strengthened first to defeat external threats and better handle the refugee crisis. We must also get rid of internal threats like populists
.
Can I take it you will be moving to the antidemocratic EU when we leave ?
The futures so bright we gotta wear shades 8|
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZ1OwSAWIAAsX5y.jpg
Western Balkans must enter as soon as possible.
.
There is only one goal for Brussels. Enlarge their empire at any cost.
But Europeans will repeat the mistakes of the past & the whole idea of a united Europe under one flag will fail as it did in 1945.
with Uk west balkans Caucasus,Norway,Micro states,Iceland and Switzerland
how many times have we had this conversation, eu enlargement should only take place when the eu has got some fundamentals sorted. for whom is eu enlargement? for the west thatneeds low paid workers to increase corporate profits? that is not a good reason to enlarge. Again: (zero hour contracts…sort out asap; clear rules on resources needed to move country; no eu funding on eu companies that simply leave and go to where labour is cheaper;) and a lot more. enlargement for profit is not a good sign for a healthy eu at all.
The world is not enough.
I know video opinions are trendy but if we are in a hurry we might want to just scan a text transcript version of what they said. But no to enlargement. Otherwise that is practically globalisation with an EU world government.
if we don’t do it Russia will take over the Balkans (if they haven’t yet)
What makes you say so?
I am from Balkan if you want to ask me something , I shell gladly answer.
https://www.rbth.com/international/2017/03/30/montenegro-is-stirring-us-and-uk-interests-in-the-balkans_731341
Even if President Trump does not want to compromise an already fragile dialogue with the Kremlin and refrains from publicizing Montenegro’s accession to NATO, Moscow will still view the move as offensive.
Alma Yael 1) do you know anything about history of Montenegro? 2) Do you know anything about economy of Montenegro? 3) Do you know anything about Albanian people?
Than you know that Montenegro would not exist as state without Russia. That is history. Economy of Montenegro depend on Russian tourist. Also Russians have very great investments in Montenegro. We, people of ex Yugoslavia are old Europeans, like Spain people, we are not Slavic. Albanians come here in 1043. year – only few 1000 of them from Caucasus. Their closest relatives are Chechen people. From few 1000 they come to 6 milion people. They do not want to fit with us. They are under protection of NATO. They are factor of unstability here. Manipulating with Albanians, NATO can open new battlefield any time they want. To avoid that Montenegro in going into NATO – and doing it against democratic will of majority of people in Montenegro. This is truth, I do not know what informations are given to you.?
Than you know that Montenegro would not exist as state without Russia. That is history. Economy of Montenegro depend on Russian tourist. Also Russians have very great investments in Montenegro. We, people of ex Yugoslavia are old Europeans, like Spain people, we are not Slavic. Albanians come here in 1043. year – only few 1000 of them from Caucasus. Their closest relatives are Chechen people. From few 1000 they come to 6 milion people. They do not want to fit with us. They are under protection of NATO. They are factor of unstability here. Manipulating with Albanians, NATO can open new battlefield any time they want. To avoid that Montenegro in going into NATO – and doing it against democratic will of majority of people in Montenegro. This is truth, I do not know what informations are given to you.😀
NO !
Should have staid at 19: West Europe Union
Does anything make sense in the EU?
Absolutely yes.
It should indeed work on two lanes, first is the internal integration (fiscal, political and even military) and second is enlargement.
With Slovenia and Croatia being members of the EU, it is only natural for the rest of the region to join. This can be done in several steps, but is a natural process.
As for other countries, it mostly depends on them. I could one day see Norway and Iceland joining (but in order for that to happen the EU needs to sort out the internal issues first) and countries such as Ukraine and Georgia see it as a long-term goal and should be encouraged if the people there decide so.
Turkey is currently a difficult topic, but I have been there many times and know that the young generation feels a part of the Western culture and as such I believe that Turkey needs to decide its future on its own.
And in the long term, the EU will probably develop special relations and possibly even a kind of membership with countries such as Tunisia, Israel, Lebanon…
Does the EU make sense? We need to abolish the EU! Simple! Germany is taking advantage of other countries!
Uhhhh NO …
depends.
Nope.
No! I wish they would stop taking in countries , that have different values from us.
Does UE still make sense ?
It always did
The cee and ceca made sense. This economical butnotfiscal union makes zero sense.
Confederation of free states. No union.
Yeah but we need to be double careful if those countries fit in.
Like each empire who ruled differents peoples, it needs to grow, if not, it’ll collapse.
Sooner or later it will fall like every empire before it.
If the intention is to spread misery, decline and the destruction of democracy as far possible then yes it does.
How’s your life going to change in Britain, practically speaking, after brexit ? (Serious question)
André Alves Figueiredo
Being free of the pointless EU we will once again join the free world, it really can’t get any better than that. :)
http://uk.businessinsider.com/liam-fox-promises-to-sign-40-free-trade-deals-the-second-after-brexit-2017-10
That doesn’t really answer the question in any meaningful way now does it ?
André Alves Figueiredo What is more important than freedom from an outdated and failed ideology ?
https://order-order.com/2017/10/12/74-say-no-deal-is-better-than-a-bad-deal/
He’s actually a Russian troll, so his life won’t change in any meaningfull way after Brexit !
Thors Ukonvasara lol, if you say so comrade, if you say so lol
Russian or EUSSR troll?
Why
The EU hidden agenda.
That will not save EU. Totalitarian politics are already destroying EU. EU must be reformed or abandoned. Metkel and her ilk must be jailed for aiding terror and crimes against humanity
Crimes against humanity ? Can you exemplify?
The EU itself is a crime against humanity…
Lol. You should make a keychain with that catchy phrase
Hundreads people have been killed and thousands assaulted and raped just so they would seem empathic. Those refugees where safe before entering EU and it was known from the start that they have ISIS fighters among them and that only small number where from Syria. It was clear that they are comming from culture that legally kills rape victims , gays, atheists and legally beats women also. Also FGM and child marriages. All of this was ignored and practically allowed.
Europe is a defined space, we all know it and recognise it. Trying to expand it beyond is globalist social and business goals that has no place for EU citizens. The reason why it shrank is at least one member state had grave reservations about the EUs direction. Swooping Turkey for The UK is not European.
I think you don’t realise Europe and the EU are not the same thing.
I do they dont
Sure. Just renounce those pesky human rights and enlarge around the world.
It should be broken up not enlarged. EEC was fine after that it’s been a disaster and is now a massive mAchine overburdened by bureaucracy with a Ponzi scheme of a currency that has destroyed the smaller EU countries. Iceland made the correct decision by withdrawing its application.
Agree with EEC point above
European frontiers Were defined in antiquity. Enlarge? Towards where?
Why not Russia? We’ve got a lot of things to share: And with history, Russia is linked with us, a lot of times!
We have many things that separate us also. There is an economic war between US and Russia, and we are just a small ally of the States. How can we forget that?
The war in Syria is about the gas circulation. Russia provides gas to Europe, and us wants to stop this monopoly. States are struggling for their economy, it is in a bad state.
I predict states and Eu against China and Russia the following years.
I don’t really like anybody, (I mean the politicians and the decision makers)
But I happen to live in EU.
EU has lost the war with China during globalization, there is no room for expanding now,
Maybe those differences who you’re talking about will make us go forward with Russia and others, we’ve to open ourselves to East and the future market, grow is there!
It never made sense.
No… that will be the end of EU
We should worry on the consolidation of the current EU institutions. Then we can think about future enlargements.
Nope!
ΕU must find out its own path first and sftr looking forward for enlargement
Obviously not. The EU’s destruction makes a lot more sence.
Destruction, You’re wrong.
Doesn’t make sense.
Thank you for the correction and I am not wrong. I’m more than right. The EU is a useless corrupt institution, with some very undemocratic and imperialistic ways that would put off any bright person.
You can’t unite several peoples under a flag, a common currency and laws they didn’t vote for! The 27 don’t share nothing on a common point or feredal idea, EU, like each empire, will collapse as soon as it won’t grow, be sure!
“I am not wrong, I’m more than right”. Said like a true dictator would !
Nop, a true dictator would say “do as you’re told”. Just like europhiles and eurocrats do…
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Martin Krssak, Anton Klink, Mia Prokopiv, this picture… is very, veeeeeeeeery familiar
Seeing the experience of having Eastern European nations in the EU and their abuses in human rights the EU needs to seriously reconsider the terms of allowing them to join, or not give them the opportunity at all.
What abuses are those and which nations are you talking about ?
No: €U will disappear
Hell yes
It just needs better management
Bosnia must be allowed to join asap!
Why?!
What we need is a stronger Union, certainly not weaker, We should head to a real federation as soon as possible, with a real Minister of Finance and a real Minister of Foreign Affairs. This would solve many of the current problems.
Always!
And We must start considering non European countries also.
Such as ?
The ones around the Mediterranean if they so will it and We consider them ready for example.
Illegal immigrants are breaking Europe.
Yes, it does. Meanwhile it should reform and create stronger institutions.
EU should achieve the targets failed to achieve in the past.
Convergence of the European economies is one of them spread to each and every european university teachinf economic science.
This policy means both politicaly and geopoliticaly a high level of european political and financial autonomy.
On the contrary EU is building a three gears economic structure North-Central Europe, Latin Europe and Balkan Europe, which means EU builds states-satellites of external and internal factors rather than equal political and financial entities.
Which means EU lacks leadership. We left leadership to certain states rather than to the European Institutions.
This Union should be desolved if it works with certain benefits for the financial development of certain countries and with unbelievable austerity against others.
If they cannot carry out the economic convergence of the EU economies they should leave the Union rather than sieging it day after day in order to promote a single or a minor group of states self-interests. This is considered occupation rather than unity.
Enlargment???
Will enlarge up to Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It should enlarge towards the inside.
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Enlarge your Europe
Are we ready to go back I dont think so.
They said the same in USSR…
Actually it never made sense
EU existence doesn’t make sense anymore
anything that strengthens Europe is good. We need to stay together in a world with Trump and other disturbing personalities
And how make they others who aren’t in UE?
Where Europe finish? I wonder who was the silly guy that allowed Turkey to be a candidate. Why on Eurovision song contest is Turkey and Israel allowed? Since then they are European countries?
Lol well Australia was there too so who cares. Its just a song contest and probably one of the few times Europeans can let their hair down. Sometimes anyway XD
Two kinds of questions: Where are the boundaries of Europe? What does Europe mean to others? History has no idea of the Europe we need today. Enlightenment resulted in national bloodshed. The Union was formed under the threats of the Cold War. It has so far not achieved the internal tasks to give it a solid political and social structure. It has no institutions to cope with Russia and USA on an even power-level. As an economic perspective it fails to answer the demands coming from its neighbours. Which kind of enlargement would make sense under these circumstances? More markets? More democracy? More human rights? More peace and social rights? If Europe is a geographical determination the question to enlarge makes no sense. If Europe is a political programme its ideas should make sense to attract others. How much of Europe is in the member states?
Only if you like the idea of repeating the misery, destruction and death of the past and now Brussels has made it clear they will accept no rejection of their ‘ever closer union’ mantra we know what they will do if you do not compile with EU dictates.
Yes, EU is the antichrist. True devils work.
How are you today?
It is typical of the fascism ideology to blame the others and wanting to return to the glorious times of the past. The problem is, you cannot go back and stop evolution. Britain wont be anymore the Imperial Power of the past. Isolating yourself won’t contribute for your development. And between us, Muslims will change the character of Britain and will put Britain further down since they do not like democracy, critical speeches, questioning and therefore will create a mentality of political correctness (you already have “hate crime”, your police is adapting to Muslim uses (there are policewomen using hijabs) instead of them adapting to your values and uses. In the future Britain will be the paria of Europe. A backward country that lost its financial power, it is loosing its industry (where are all the British car brands?). I am sorry for you, since I always liked the Poms, but you are going in the wrong path to the faillure. Yes, EU has problems, lack of democracy and bureaucracy, but the fight is within not leaving it. I bet in 10 years you will be back asking to get in again.
Allways
For the moment, we need to worry about getting the EU’s institutional house in order. If we had gotten that done prior to the 2005 enlargement, we’d be in much better shape today, both economically and geostrategically.
It is the full project of EU united as well as the start of this was many years ago. The most important step to bring forward
Will the peoples in the EU be asked if they want to be ‘united’ or will you just use the standard Brussels tactic. ignore and force it onto them anyway ?
What is your view about ignoring EU united
Hitaj Iliev Nikola Sabina it’s not democratic,the cornerstone of any democracy is the people right to choose were they are governed from,by who and who makes laws that affect their lives.The EU has been foisted on the people without their consent through deception,it’s actually shocking that in this day and age they are getting away with it
EU — we should divide a little bit the conception of EU as a territory with a geografical and population number and the Representant Structures of EU Union
Could be if some EU representancy is not making right choices at political tendencies —- we could start speaking about someone in personal. However I am alwayes pozitive and hopefull at EU plans. Critics are alwayes needed and brings much open ideas for improvement….. about the volontari of EU — they are chosen by the people from inside to outside everywhere almost …… except the kingdoms included. They are with another political construction mainly based on histori of families ect…. but their political organization changes not the meaning of EU…. Kingdoms are from the starter liders together with DE FR ect. ect..
Τhere is not any EU today
As long as the EU is malfunctioning expansion should be out of the question. Also most of the current potential candidates for EU membership, such as Ukraine and Turkey are countries that have no place in the EU because they can’t even get their internal affairs in order.
Who the hell is really worth adding to the EU? EU expansion cost the Union one of its biggest cash cows. Norway and the Swiss are the most desirable states to add but I can’t see them ever being totally enticed. So whose left? More ex Eastern European States, Balkan ones, Turkey !?! XD XD
Yes but we need to reinforce The rools. The EU memberchip should be that you Can get in to it once The memberchip requierments is fullfilled and not engosiated. Like memberchip normaly is.
The UK big wigs only wanted a larger EU when you left their huge network of tax havens alone. Special trade agreements make more sense. I have already met Germans leaving their own country because they don’t feel safe. I have met others leaving their family behind for better minimum wages than their own EU country. All this benefits business but makes EU citizens hate the EU expansion. Solution: no more expanding and an EU wide minimum wage, benefits, pension, Basic income, free education and free healthcare (Tax the rich, shut down or bypass legal tax avoidance loopholes, QE for the people-the EU can find the money if it wants to). You need EU cotizens to actually want to be in the EU and a more social EU is the way.
Over tax the rich and the rich will leave then who will you tax to pay for your socialist utopia ?
Leave what? Jersey, The Cayman Isles or The US Virgin Isles? I am sure a creative way to Tax them is possible like the transaction tax, stock exchange tax or some other brainy way to do it. I read a Penguin book that said the public should be paid dividends from corporations-that is also an option. Let economists figure it out. I think a group of them in Denmark actually did the maths of it and made it work. Subsidise green energy to free the public from subsidising big oil and decrease their electricity bills. Just needs some effort and creativity.
Oh, and a socialist Utopia would be the Venus project not the crumbs required to abolish poverty.
Well … I love EU … We ve got the coolest flag on the planet atm :)
If everybody got a basic income and it was the same everybody could live where they choose to live and not wear it economically made sense then you might have a more perfect union
Been done before. This was the public’s reception of it> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7CWajaOx4E&t=14s
No basic income doesnt replace capitalism
I’ll love to have Moldova joining. Not so Georgia because they haven’t resolved their criminality and corruption.
not one, se must first rebuild the idea of a united Europe against rising nationalism.not just euro and bank rules but a european welfare , law system and courts, army, public finance, a more careful redistribution of founds. for developement, more focussed policies to support families and disadvantaged individuals, common fiscal rules and tax rates . then se can open again, when stronger and more united. now we can’t just incorporate more differences.
Ok, so to cut a long story short. the answer to nationalism is to create a big nation (United.States.Europe) to be nationalistic about? Sound logic…!
obviously you can’t get the point.
הללויה
In this phase of the history, NO!
Why not invite Russia?
Yes when the Country is preprered, ready
Ya
Russia is not a democracy.
With the EU being run by an unelected politburo I don’t think you are in any position to criticize others for a lack of democracy.
Ivan,
As the EU is primarily a regulatory state rather than a federation of states, democratic deficit is expected. What I mean is the EU has no control over social or military spending – where as the Kremlin rules over the greater Russia. There is no comparison.
Yessssssss.
Juncker and his unelected European Politburo are about to put sanctions on the ‘elected’ government of Poland so the die is cast and the future has two outcomes for the Nations in the EU. Either submit to your new masters in Brussels or leave the pointless EU and take back your democracy. We look forward to seeing you in the free world :)
No, to big & doctorial, & no place for small poor countries, they have eaten us alive & no compassion.
The EU has reached its geographical and cultural limit it’s time to address what is inside first and foremost. Any extension is driven by global business and NGO lobby groups running a undemocratic agenda.
No Europe is divided, germany help turkey against greece!!!
What do EU citizens gain from more enlargement? Nothing. Enlargement is good for corporations and government agendas only.
Enlargement of the EU never made sense but then its all about power for pro EU fanatics and has nothing to do with the peoples of Europe.
Your out, so not your issue
Tim Nick Knight We British have a history of helping oppressed people so I will be here until the pointless EU is dismantled and the people are free :)
.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/15/hungarian-leader-says-europe-is-now-under-invasion-by-migrants
Good god Ivan, you have a history of colonial oppression, and citing Viktor Orban is the bottom line of European politicans. Besides, he would never leave the EU, as long as tons of money comes from it. Not to mention the emigrating hundreds of thousands towards the West, whom couldn’t withstand “his” country. He wants to send us people away, too. Money in, intellectuals out, that’s why he needs the EU forever.
Péter Gebhardt You do know Orban was elected right ?, I know you pro EU fanatics do not like democracy but the peoples in the EU love it. You are right about the money though, its the only reason most Nations stay in the pointless EU which begs the question ‘what happens when they stop getting it ?’ .
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/01/24/finland-warns-eu-will-not-help-fill-15bn-brexit-budget-black/
To include other European countries, when they comply with the criteria, yes it makes sense. No Turkey though, it’s not Europe.
Even Europe is not “Europe”
i do not think that that is a criteria for excluding Turkey, it has always been the bridge between europe and what we consider asia. I think the EU needs to be more thorough in its criteria and make sure new member states have done the hard work in getting themselves up to scratch both economically and socially/politically. Turkey has shown itself to be highly vulnerable, however we have also seen this from some of the newer accession states. I am against further exspansion because we need to consolidate and take a breath otherwise it does simply become a what suits the corporation, types of project which leaves all citizens disenfranchized despite the high ideals.
I think it don’t make sense .Hard to believe that so many countries who were trying to join the EU , now they’re joining the NATO too. So , once you are an EU partner , automatically you would be involved in a NATO ; what could it be? ; surprise! .
If I wanted, I could disintegrate the EU in a matter of years, all by myself. Believe me, it’s a piece of cake now that Britain is out. All European (continent and islands) countries should be in the EU if that’s what they (the countries) want, because they can’t join the African Union, or the Asian Union or the American Union. So to ask the question if EU enlargement is good or not is in fact asking the wrong question. There are only a few more countries with small populations still out of the EU that should become part of it. So the EU should definitely enlarge with the European countries. Then, if this question is about Turkey, a mainly outside of Europe country, that is a different cup of tea. It should be left for last to be decided.
yet you live in the US.
Eu is great. chill.
?
Nope we have to stabilize our interior before we can even think about expanding
This is about the Balkan. Sure, there are plenty of problems there, but EU-membership is the most realistic way to a solution. This is definately long term, but Europe is forever, so let’s start now.
Why not?
NO, IT COULD NOT EVEN take CARE OF THE PRESENT DIMENSION.
No !
Enlargement where? With Turkey, Albania and the rest of the barbarian candidates? No thanks enlargement should be banned!!
No, not for the moment.
Does EU still make sense??
Please people keep in mind the historic, uniquely democratic power-play the EU has done when accepting 10 new states! At the time it seemed too early, but history has proven that it was just-in-time to counter antidemocratic Russia. Enlargement is the best tool the Union has to spread its positive influence, but do it slowly and carefully when possible!
My dream is west balkans by 2030, Norway, switzerland and britain (full reeentry adopting euro) by 2040-45, turkey by 2060-70, Russia by 2070-2100, and this includes kazakhstan armenie georgia, etc. Maybe a peaceful syria and Israel? No membership for the US, canada or Australia, but a de facto one and hopefully by that time (2090) they will have their own union with mexico, the african will have their union, the latin americans as well (maybe the englizh speaking countries cpuld join the EU who knows) korea is unified, china has adopted democratic parliamentary communism and there is Visa free travel between india amd pakistan and iran and saudi arabia. (Imagine john lenon)
Integration first, but enlargement needs to continue, even if slowly.
The term Union refer that each country can join European big family which has fulfilled the condition required for integration. Enlargement for Balkan is more than important, all together is better because of historical past, some of the neighbors can make obstruction to the other country thus can be future dispute and another problem for EU.
You have no more than five years to keep the EU of 27 together, either return democracy to the peoples of the Nation States or carry on with your empire building and watch it fall. Trying to enlarge it will just bring about its end quicker.
So the answer is Yes
Ed Hill Yep lol 8|
What ever Ivan says but just the opposite !
Codrin Cernăuțianu
Meanwhile back in reality people are rejecting the pointless EU.
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/looming-italian-election-seen-as-referendum-on-eu-and-euro-36955689.html
If you would know Italian politics, you’d know this is just a tantrum of people that care more about their political goals than the best for Italy. How the recent events unfolded clearly proves that.
Martin ‘A tantrum’ ? It’s that kind of contempt for the wishes of the people that got politicians across the EU into trouble in the first place. There will be another election and the margin of victory for the populist parties will be even larger making their exit from the Euro inevitable and possible even from the pointless EU
The remaining Balkan countries have a relatively small population and should be integrated into the EU as soon as they are ready. The Macedonian name question should be resolved as it is a trivial issue.
YES !
DO NOT LET TURKEY JOIN
The uk are leaving hungry and italy arent happy thing need to change junker,tusker etc need to get real and stop empire building
Да разбира се. Израел и Австралия вече са вътре.
Yes, of course. Israel and Australia are already inside.
You keep focusing on size the moment everyone knows that control and strength makes the difference.
You keep focusing on size the moment everyone knows that control and strength makes the difference.
“Think out side of the box ” –
The only way to sustain an unstable system – not to integrate and develop but make it bigger so it will be more diversified. Congratulations..
Why not simple tell them that bring an another 27 viewpoint which will collapse it entirely.
No, the EU should recognize its fiscal and political power. If it acts like an elephant in a porcelain store / Like a bull in a china shop – well the answear is here. But I need to emphasize the clumsy behaviour – The EU should fulfill its role in the world map.
It’s possible for Russia to join the EU?
I think that the western Balcanes should eventually join . Maybe for the time being the EU should work on cohesion and then expansion
Not now. There are problems within EU that need attending to. Many EU citizens are unhappy with EU so why complicate things even more?…
eu contraction sounds much better
Not at the moment
Depends on the country:
Montenegro: tomorrow
Serbia: Depends on Kosovo, Russian influence, corruption
Bosnia: not in sight
Albania: Depends on Kosovo issue, corruption, economy
Macedonia: not yet, democracy, not another Orban please
Kosovo: For obvious reasons not yet
Turkey:
When Erdogan is gone and
the general development inverts itself afterwards (secularism, economic transformation from agriculture to manufacturing and services, democracy etc.) maybe in some decades
Ukraine: earlier than Turkey, depends on Russia. Doese not have to be.
We need to get the rest of the Balkans under the umbrella. Sure, that will not be easy, but we could have much worse problems if they are left outside. Let’s chose the easy way here.
Of course! It has to be well prepared but the construction of a united democratic, peaceful and prosperous Europe has to include all the Peoples of Europe. The EU is a political project of solidarity, not an economic project of selfishness.
Nope.
Of course it makes sense.
Who should join? And why would they join the bickering club.
Absolutely not… You Don t make kids when you are sick
Not before restructuring the EU birocracy.
I wonder what would be the new frontiers? Asian? African?
Yes.
The EU, as it is now, should disappear. We need an economical union, (as it was), and send all politicians home. Close Brussels and Strasburg
Who in the right mind would want to join the EU?
Yes, we need to secure the western balkans in the first place.
Enlargement with out strength lead to collapse.
We must fill the hole after the Brexit ! :)😂
Yes and no. European Union should wait before taking in new members. These new countries willing to enter would all need lots from EU and I doubt that these nations fill all the requirements. Sure accepting would make Balkans a lot calmer in many ways,but time is not really right.
What new countries willing to enter…? Nobody in the right mind wants to join the EU anymore
I would say that the number of candidate and potential candidate countries demonstrates that EU membership is still attractive. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/enlarg/candidates.htm
No it doesn’t. Fix the other problems first.. It went too fast too big without the intern structures it needs. That’s the real problem.
We really do need to focus on harmonization and institutional competence building at this time. And frankly, we need a stronger vetting process so that we do not get any more orbans or erdogans
As long as we have in enough low wages workers in the eastern countries to delocalize productions at third world costs and small bankster countries to escape taxes from the places we sell the products, no need to enlarge, the agenda is perfect.
Why? Do corporations need more cheaper labor force?
All kind of balloons at the end…
No.
Yes it does, but when candidates are ready.
No more candidates..the Union as it is ,has so many problems ,so much diversities,actually it doesn’t seem like a Union any more ,is A German Union and we don’t want that !! England and Italy are a step out and more are following so ,firstly solve the internal problems and then enlargement..
It does, if the countrys have rule of law, democratic system. No more to Hungary followers.
The decision is entirely economic. If ain’ t worth it, they would not so it.
I disagree. Democratic accountability and corruption also matter. Orban and Erdogan are cut from the same bloc of wood. We need to make sure we don’t have any other failed-democracies in our club.
Meanwhile we have not clearly understood the motives of the BREXIT the EU can not enlarge any more.
That would be the most stupid thing to do… Except if you want to kill europe
Rees Mogg: “The amount that I received is not for public disclosure.”
Too much too fast has been the EU’s problem. Combined with letting countless non-Europeans in when most member-state citizens where just starting to get to know one another. Much work is needed all around.
It’s not that we let them in. It’s that they came here. And no european country has either sufficient navy, nor sufficient troops on the ground in syria to do anything about it. Not when the numbers involved are 23 times the amount that it takes to overwhelm the US coast guard at sea.
But what does that have to the European Union, or its enlargement?
Did I imagine Merkel’s invitation? It has to do plenty, as it is a main source of contention with many member states who are taking on the brunt of dealing with it. Italy, Spain, Hungary, Austria, Poland, CzechR, and populations large and small throughout the rest of the bloc aren’t happy by any stretch.
This is a divisive issue that will not go away by treating these countries like vassal states the way the Merkel-Juncker gang has. I also must just be imagining the boatloads daily of “refugees” from Africa, and all the other “refugees” from all over the ME who are migrant workers coming over under the guise. Demanding they get sent and set up in Germany or Sweden and scoffing if not rioting should they not get their way.
Now, whose high on the list for inclusion into the EU? Turkey is up there, now what do you think Turkey’s inclusion is going to include? Who else? The Balkan countries with their large Muslim populations. Albania?
Do you think that’s going to calm already tattered nerves or make them want to head for the exit? Now that isn’t even going into the ridiculously despotic way the EU is set up.
I mean, they just anoint Ursula von der Leyen the new President by what means exactly? It surely wasn’t democratic, it wasn’t even transparent. Since she’s Merkel’s girl what do you think her policies are going to look like? More of the same or a new, fresh approach?
So when you ask me what does this have to do with expansion, the question really is what doesn’t it have to do with it?
Yes it does. God has put us in the same place. We are all Europeans. An United Europe will be stronger in every aspect: economic, political, stability and security.
Lets work to strengthen the bridge before we put more weight on it. We need a stronger more powerful Europe to sustain the new threats economically and physically. It needs a strong single voice for foreign policy and a large army to support that policy.
the EU enlargement makes sense in principle but it should start with and where there are common democratic values as well as it should follow with a real integration. Still, the EU should make it possible to take decisions based with feasible rules and not with the present ones, which make impossible to reach the majority every time something has to be decided and approved.
Depends for who the enlargement is aimed at. Yes to Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro. Maybe Ukraine in many years from now.
But no if it means Turkey
Yes! But we need to reform EU first and create a democratic federation based on a constitution
Oh no. Please stop this nonsense. To enlarge to whom? Turkey no way…. Albania….. To make prostitution European Market..? To Switzerland yes…
Yes if there are reforms in those countries human rights democratic laws respect for different religion beliefs and groups respect in general towards European DEMOCRATIC values equal rights to all countries job opportunities and of course no extension of the European borders towards Asia… If all of the above are implemented then we have a strong European continent much needed in today’s globalization and threats.. the above-mentioned includes Russia and before anyone jumps down my throat think about that…A super powerful European continent…
If it’s to bring Russia in then yes, because that would be a huge help for European economy.
Yes but there must be more Western oriented criteria not only economically but also culturally so that there will be more cultural cohesion
All European countries in a democratic federation, except Turkey because the European part is too small, but with equal rights for work healthcare, pensions,low education, and more. But not with reach and poor countries and the poor countries without any chances to get better life in her destination
To Russia, they are Europeans
Who wants to joint an entity in deep crisis?
No more enlargement never, we are still paying huge effects of enlargements without any counterbalance plans for the countries with high cost of salaries and wild delocalization of production
Not at all!
absolutly
but only with the ones wanting for all the good and all not so
Better first organize the house, make the balance right and then chose well who will enter or why he wants to be part of EU. We have been under attack from the inside….
all haters
Does Ursula von der Pfizer know that Ukraine has only 30% of its population jabbed? ;)
yeah, I’m sure that should be the most important consideration… 🙄
lol, my comment was half sarcastic, but I’m half surprised you did not get it. I got some more : how about integrating into the EU a country that is famous for being a hub for international baby trafficking, is corrupt af, and that is now filled with more weapons than the US left in Afghanistan just before allowing Talibans to get back to power (this last part was a digression, I admit)? 😉
okay, sorry I missed the sarcasm. As you know, it usually fails in writing when you can’t see facial expressions or hear the tone of voice. As far as the rest goes, Ukraine has been given candidate status. It is far from accepting the country as a member. All the Copenhagen criteria must be met first. Whether it’s a short or long journey for Ukraine, remains to be seen.
Yes. Hopefully it will be a very long one.
I don’t agree. If they get their act together in terms of corruption etc, Ukraine would be a very valuable EU member with its vast natural resources and food production. Of course, there’s the war to be sorted out first.
then best to give it a neutral status, have Russia and the west install a healthy government and let it trade in the best interest of all parties.
agree, although I’m having doubts of particularly Russia involved in creating a “healthy” government. The West would, as membership would be of mutual value, but I somehow suspect Russia with no skin in the game would not.
Maybe so. However, since Spring 2014 and Russia having likely no say whatsoever in the governing of Ukraine, it does not seem like Ukraine has sanitized its institutions either. One would have thought though that the heavy involvement of the West in Ukraine would have helped since then. Now, this being said, I’m part of the minority in Western Europe that has a deep contempt for the EU institutions and the London-Washington axis, which often earns me the “Putin troll” labelling, in this increasingly polarized society with almost no room for nuance.
Putin troll? I’m not seeing that, I’m seeing someone who can engage in constructive dialogue even with opposing views. 👍
Regarding Ukraine, yes, they seem to have their work cut out for them to fulfil the criteria of EU membership. On the other hand, they have been in an exceptional situation since 2014 when “the little green men” with no national insignia led to the annexation of Crimea to Russia. If, and hopefully when, the crisis is over, things may start moving forward more quickly.
May I ask why you have a deep contempt for EU institutions? To me, it looks like despite all the shortcomings of the EU, every country now a member regards the setup as beneficial, especially from an economic point of view.
Being one of the most corrupt European countries I’m sure they will be in good company.
Great news
Won’t make any difference to the war.
One would like the single market to encompass the whole of Europe one day
Are we going to pay more tax to support the war and rebuilding?! Why not come to agreement?!
even if the war stopped today, there would still be massive rebuilding to do. Thank Putler for that.
why would I thank him for?! EU could have found a better way to handle the case instead of letting it escalade and follow US /NATO plans. I thank no one thank you very much.
any ideas on how the EU could have “found a better way”? The EU watches the events from the sidelines as they have no means to make an impact on a war.
Enlargement is the end of the european power. It will please banks and multinational which want a unique market with standart consumer
Politically it was almost inevitable but any enlargement of the current 28 by these 3, let alone the balkan states with candidate status , will probably make the EU even less governanable and increase difficulty of reacting in timely manner to events.
Not a good time for this move. It pushes Europe further into the conflict. As if the economic crisis and fuel shortages aren’t enough!
The EU must stand as a block against foreign and in this case Russian aggression. The more cooperation among countries in a EU context, the better.
Disgusting as the laugh while 100 Ukrainian soldiers die every day for nothing
This is a purely political move risking EU citizen security and peace by defying all legal foundation and principles on the foundation of the EU.
Turkey has already been negotiating to become a member of the European family/EEC as early as in 1987, throughout the process, Europe has developed and has accepted all newly established states of the ex-Soviet Union almost unconditionally, while Turkey EU membership is still pending today.
why exactly are we doing this?Please Russia just carpet bomb bruxelles and rid us of the nutscases in charge..
the clown receives his trophy…
Just a joke. EU became a circus ♂️