EU 25 is go!

Victor

I'm surprised that Cyprus isn't having a referendum to join.

I'm also concenred at the effective disenfranchisement of Russian not only in Latvia, but also in surrounding countries and the de facto separation of the Kaliningrad enclave (formerly Konigsberg, part of German East Prussia, noe part of Russia, but will be surrounded by the EU).

Latvians return loud "yes" in final EU referendum
From:Reuters
Sunday, 21st September, 2003
By Erik Brynhildsbakken

RIGA (Reuters) - Ex-Soviet Latvia, the last of the prospective new members to vote on joining the European Union, has celebrated a resounding "yes" at a weekend referendum to crown the bloc's historic enlargement.

But the victory may be cold comfort for Prime Minister Einars Repse whose rightwing coalition now appears in danger of collapse. Latvia's EU future assured, junior coalition partners may now mount a challenge to Repse as early as this week.

Analysts said Repse, accused by rivals of "authoritarian" leadership, can draw on support in his own New Era Party. But extended political wrangling could raise uncertainty within the EU and NATO over preparations to join those groupings next year.

In the EU vote on Saturday, supporters led nay-sayers by 67 percent to 32.3 with turnout at 72.5 percent.

Many of Latvia's pro-Brussels voters hailed EU membership as the crowning achievement of the ex-Soviet satellite's "return to Europe" after more than a decade of painful reforms since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

"For Latvia this is putting the final full stop to the sequels of the second world war, and wiping out forever the divisions on the map of Europe that the odious Molotov-Ribbentrop pact...placed there," President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said as she voted in the small Baltic nation of 2.3 million.

Under secret protocols of a non-aggression pact signed in 1939 by the Soviet and Nazi German foreign mininsters Vyacheslav Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop the then-independent Latvian state fell under Soviet control while Poland was partitioned.

Latvia's weekend vote marks a success for the EU enlargement from 15 to 25 member countries and gives Brussels something to celebrate after Sweden rejected the euro last weekend.

"We welcome a country that naturally belongs to us and we trust, that Latvia as the other future member states will enrich and strengthen the European Union. Welcome home, Latvia!" said European Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen.

Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Estonia have already voted to join the EU. The 10th nation to join, Cyprus, is not holding a referendum.

LATVIAN RUSSIANS

Supporters believe joining the EU will secure freedom, democracy and growth in the poorest of the accession countries.

But some Latvians distrust the European Union just as they did the Soviet Union, and regard Brussels as too remote to care for their interests in an enlarged union from May 2004.

Many in the large Russian minority of close to one-third of the population, most of whom were not allowed to vote, worry that EU entry will distance them from Russia.

Latvia has thrown open the possibility for the 644,000-odd ethnic Russians who came to live during the Soviet years to seek citizenship, but most have yet to apply and will need visas to work and travel in the EU. Together with Estonia they will bring about one million ethnic Russians into the union.

Soon after the vote, the leader of the First Party junior coalition partner gave notice of political storms ahead, saying he could no longer work with Repse.

Sources in the party said they would present Repse's New Era with an ultimatum on Monday, expecting support from the two other partners in the four-party coalition.

The focus for any showdown could be a cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday.

star gazer

yeah it's a big milestone for the EU and Europe. I guess it will take some time before the historic wounds in 'eastrn' Europe become less painful. Kaliningrad is a painful reminder of the way the ordanry person lost so much in the second world war. It will take a great deal of sensitive diplomacy by the EU as a whole, with Russia, to make sure potential flash-points like the Baltic states don't see ongoing disturbances. It could be seen as the first step for Russia to one day embrace stronger links with the EU and visa versa.

Latvia's weekend vote marks a success for the EU enlargement from 15 to 25 member countries and gives Brussels something to celebrate after Sweden rejected the euro last weekend.
Victor

Plenty of opportunities for business and threats from cheaper labour, among other things.
With the Swedish vote, i don't think the EU has learned the lessons of Ireland Nice1 and 2. The EU needs to explain itself to it's people and earn the trust of it's citizens. It didn't look good when the big States (France and Germany) seemed to ignore the Budgetary agreements made before the Euro. Irish inflation (partiallt government-fueled) was an example of how Euro membership can bring bad things as well as good for a growing economy that has no strong interest rate control.
Thanks for bringing this topic for discussion.

Qadhafi

Im all for the E.U and I think its done this country a lot of good. However after Sweden and Nice, (i was in favour but afterwards thought hard about the EU) now i just see all the problems with the E.U

The Sweds have a great country, Economically and Socially. Everything there is fixed and works well so the decision, re euro, was more political than economic.
They just pointed out, how out of touch the E.U has become and asks where are we exactly going with the E.U??

There doesnt seem to be any social integration, its all political, the larger states like France and Germany are 'like best mates' and whatever suits them is going to happen. There is so much buerocacy (sorry spellin) thats its unreal. Look at the U.S and how richer they are and the oppurtunites US citizens have! 50% of Research and development in the world is carried out in the USA!. Why doesnt the E.U focus on creating new jobs and membership countries like France Germany etc start reforming their economies to be a bit more like the US.

The cash is drying up in the next few years and were going to be paying €1bn a year. Well its not a hugh sum but still were payin'! Once we start paying the government should immediately take a different tac with the E.U and point out all whats wrong with it, like Sweden (not like U.K) and start trying to reform the E.U.

mike65

Originally posted by Qadhafi


Why doesnt the E.U focus on creating new jobs and membership countries like France Germany etc start reforming their economies to be a bit more like the US.

The penny has finally dropped in Germany with Schoeders government starting to make the country more friendly towards small and medium sized business' and even seeing off IG Metal which is Europes largest Union and generally thought to run the country! France is another matter with the pursuit of leisure apparently at the top of the agenda, 35 hour weeks and 10% unemployment.

Mike.

shotamoose

Originally posted by Qadhafi
Why doesnt the E.U focus on creating new jobs and membership countries like France Germany etc start reforming their economies to be a bit more like the US.

Why don't they try to be more like Sweden, since it's such a great place? Say what you like about France and Germany, they haven't got the levels of poverty and malnutrition that the US have. If that's the price of having 50% of the world's research (I don't believe it is, by the way), it hardly seems worth it.

cisboss

we're all missing the issue here entirely....what we need is Norway to join so as we can get that big....thing....off the euro coins.....

Qadhafi

If that's the price of having 50% of the world's research (I don't believe it is, by the way), it hardly seems worth it

I'm 99.99% sure thats the correct figure. R&D is where this country wants to be heading. So we should be restrucuting our economy as much as possible to suit it. Even when there is a global econmic downturn R&D usually doesnt get affected !! I'd rather have a R&D job.

Where is the E.U going? Im all for giving up a bit of soveign freedom for a overall better situation. We have given up some of our freedoms in the past and we are better off, more secure and stonger now. However the future is unclear with the E.U.

The French dont want to work, that ok, they want a relaxed kind of lifestyle,where the job is seen as secondary. Their country can do that, we couldnt, things would go down the tube.

Germany is the obsessed with job security, and protection of the worker. A job for life etc. Their economy is soo slow to get moving.

So what exactly is the EU trying to do? which way is it going.. its totally ignored the socially side of things like making the EU more relevant in citizens lives. Its flopped at making the EU the most competitive economy by 2010 (the lisbon treaty i think), all it does is centralise power more and more.

Nice was intresting...... it raised the question, whats this whole EU idea about anyway and where are we going?