Carl Bildt says the EU is risking losing its credibility and creating instability in the Balkans unless it brings the region's countries closer to membership.
Why? Diluted criteria and takin on board rogue states (Slovakia) and poor and corrupt economies (Bulgaria, Romania).
Next mistake, promise membership to underdeveloped states for strategic purposes (like in 1980 to Greece and now in Western Balkans) and to even negotiate with Serbia.
Serbia, please do not join EU in the near future for all our sake in EU.
I do not believe Iceland's eventual membership in the EU will carry that much weight in Norway. Unfortunately. The Norwegian referenda, particularly the one in 1994, had little to do with rational, economic arguments, but rather a close race dividing the population in terms of competing interpretations of history and their expressions in terms of identity constructs, as well as geo-political orientation. Much like the referendum in Montenegro, in other words.
Personally, I agree to a large extent with Bildt that removing the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans, and its people, could have very damaging consequences for further democratic reforms in the region.
I don't think isolation would impact them much. They have a HUGE coastline and plenty of oil wells to dig for. They only need to curb massive immigration from Africa and the Middle East, deport them and they can continue being the richest country in Europe for several years to come.
Switzerland is the same story, except they are living off their banks.
first of all, the EU is losing reputation because it is organizing one referendum after the other until the wished result is "achieved" - it´s just this what makes every person with at least a little brain left sceptic about this supranational creature...
as for "Mircea" who is writing about Norway being "isolated" - you couldn´t be more wrong, my dear.
they simply have nothing to fear, they are in fact one of the wealthiest states in Europe, and they really do not have any problems at all which could make them think of joining the EU.
there is simply no rational reason for that.
but talking about "isolation" in this case, ..is simply a joke.
'Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum,...'
According to news accounts at the time, the Irish who voted against Lisbon had three main fears - that their outlawing of abortion could be overridden, that their neutrality wouldn't be respected, and - I think - something to do with taxes. Supporters of passage had told them that all of these matters were covered by the treaty, but only implicitly. So those responsible for such things got written amendments introduced during the Czech presidency that explicitly guarantee the relevant points, and the Treaty should have a much better chance the next time it's voted on. The Irish claimed at the time that they didn't have any objection to funding new member states, but that was before the economic crisis, of course.
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 15:35)
Why should they? They have already voted no previously and if EU cannot stomach that, then that is their problem.
Are they going to badger them until they get a yes?
NO means NO.
I think that Ireland will approve the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
To all Irish citizens,
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009, 15:35)
Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum, and then what??? A campaign from the pro eu camp to arrange a third vote in Ireland?
The chances that the Irish will vote yes to Lisbon treaty is as big as that the Brits will leave Ulster and let them be reunited with Ireland and apologise to all Irish for the sufferings they have created there in the last 100 years, practically null... But you could always hope... my money would be that Iceland will get in EU in notime, no more countries before Lisbon Treaty, wich wont happen
After Iceland joins the EU, Norway will be more isolated and may consider joining the EU.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 19:19)"
I read that the Dutch will block entry of Iceland into the EU unless Iceland will pay 1,3 billion Euro to The Netherlands because of the collapse of banks on Iceland where a lot of Dutch had "saved" their money. Norway would be completely insane to join the EU and so would Serbia.
By all means, Mr Bildt, let the 'other forces' take over
in Serbia. We are thoroughly disgusted with what we had so far. BTW, sir,
Tadic didn't win last elections, it was the American Ambassador who did.
The EU has lost it's reputation.
* It has interfered in Serbian elections.
* It ahs reneged on pledges made whiled meddling.
* It's officials, like ?Bild with his Bosnia statements, are encouraging corruption and incompetence.
* It allows a criminal like Djukanovic to stay in power.
Iceland is already in the European Economic Area, it's on the White Schengen list - maybe they should just tough it out. The other Scandanavian countries have been supporting them during the crisis, which won't last forever, in any case, so maybe Iceland should just go slowly on this and make sure it's in the country's best interest.
IF all those hurdles are jumped (and that's three big ones: Iceland = fisheries, Croatia = border, Ireland = Eurosceptics), then what you said will happen, only one thing I completely disagree with: why would Norway join the EU? They are making a killing with their oil and fishing, they know that these things would be all regulated, were Norway to join the EU, which I don't think they'd be happy sacrificing (in fact, they rejected membership twice after nationwide referenda).
Also, they are by far the richest country in Europe, why would they sacrifice that?
If there's any blame for the EU lagging behind, it's with the EUrocrats. If the EU is soiling themselves everytime they talk about Serbia's "imminent" EU membership (Serbia has been an "imminent" member for almost 9 years now) then someone please send a nice memo to the Dutch and tell them to stop dumping the guilt for their own ineptitude and cowardice in Srebrenica on Serbia and cease keeping an entire country hostage for the fate of one man who's probably far away. Someone also seriously mediate between Slovenia and Croatia over the tiki bar they are apparently having a territorial spat over. And as for Bosnia? Well that's the total fault of all the King's horses and all the King's men in either doing a shoddy job of trying to put this Humpty Dumpty together, or simply thinking it could actually work in the first place.
Don't create more hoops for your pets to jump through and then complain it's taking a long time. If Bulgaria and Romania could get in on a cough, the rest of southeastern Europe can get in.
Believe me, the EU's reputation is already very tarnished. Reading Mr. Bildt's comments assures us that 1)the EU will stop at nothing (not even interfering in Serbian elections last year) to facillitate nations to become "pro-European"; and 2) the EU desires potential member nations, such as Serbia, to lose most of their pride in the history and accomplishments of their people to become part of the greater "European farce". The EU is hanging on to the hope that the world economy will get better, thus giving the EU more financial leverage to sway struggling nations (ie. Serbia) towards their EU land of "milk and honey". There is no such place...and even though Serbia does have many problems, relying on the EU masters to solve them will not come without a steep price. Serbia has all the necessary tools and historic friends (like Russia) to be able to solve it's own problems without losing it's soul.
Let the other forces take over mr Bildt. If they wont happen now, they are sure to happen sooner or later, propobly once in the EU. Knowing Serbia well, the its is the EU force that came to light after hundreds of nationalist neighboring years.
"Exclusion of Bosnia from the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen zone next year is a warning to politicians in that country, Bildt said, adding that if they do not undertake action, "the train will leave the station without them".
I would grant the entire ex-YU and ex-SU visa-free travel to EU, USA, Canada on the reciprocity principe. As for job market - of course only positions in need would be open, but that is easy to regulate.
Visas are relatively new "invention" and pretty evil one.
"Exclusion of Bosnia from the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen zone next year is a warning to politicians in that country, Bildt said, adding that if they do not undertake action, "the train will leave the station without them".
I would grant the entire ex-YU and ex-SU visa-free travel to EU, USA, Canada on the reciprocity principe. As for job market - of course only positions in need would be open, but that is easy to regulate.
Visas are relatively new "invention" and pretty evil one.
If there's any blame for the EU lagging behind, it's with the EUrocrats. If the EU is soiling themselves everytime they talk about Serbia's "imminent" EU membership (Serbia has been an "imminent" member for almost 9 years now) then someone please send a nice memo to the Dutch and tell them to stop dumping the guilt for their own ineptitude and cowardice in Srebrenica on Serbia and cease keeping an entire country hostage for the fate of one man who's probably far away. Someone also seriously mediate between Slovenia and Croatia over the tiki bar they are apparently having a territorial spat over. And as for Bosnia? Well that's the total fault of all the King's horses and all the King's men in either doing a shoddy job of trying to put this Humpty Dumpty together, or simply thinking it could actually work in the first place.
Don't create more hoops for your pets to jump through and then complain it's taking a long time. If Bulgaria and Romania could get in on a cough, the rest of southeastern Europe can get in.
Believe me, the EU's reputation is already very tarnished. Reading Mr. Bildt's comments assures us that 1)the EU will stop at nothing (not even interfering in Serbian elections last year) to facillitate nations to become "pro-European"; and 2) the EU desires potential member nations, such as Serbia, to lose most of their pride in the history and accomplishments of their people to become part of the greater "European farce". The EU is hanging on to the hope that the world economy will get better, thus giving the EU more financial leverage to sway struggling nations (ie. Serbia) towards their EU land of "milk and honey". There is no such place...and even though Serbia does have many problems, relying on the EU masters to solve them will not come without a steep price. Serbia has all the necessary tools and historic friends (like Russia) to be able to solve it's own problems without losing it's soul.
The EU has lost it's reputation.
* It has interfered in Serbian elections.
* It ahs reneged on pledges made whiled meddling.
* It's officials, like ?Bild with his Bosnia statements, are encouraging corruption and incompetence.
* It allows a criminal like Djukanovic to stay in power.
After Iceland joins the EU, Norway will be more isolated and may consider joining the EU.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 19:19)"
I read that the Dutch will block entry of Iceland into the EU unless Iceland will pay 1,3 billion Euro to The Netherlands because of the collapse of banks on Iceland where a lot of Dutch had "saved" their money. Norway would be completely insane to join the EU and so would Serbia.
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 15:35)
Why should they? They have already voted no previously and if EU cannot stomach that, then that is their problem.
Are they going to badger them until they get a yes?
NO means NO.
IF all those hurdles are jumped (and that's three big ones: Iceland = fisheries, Croatia = border, Ireland = Eurosceptics), then what you said will happen, only one thing I completely disagree with: why would Norway join the EU? They are making a killing with their oil and fishing, they know that these things would be all regulated, were Norway to join the EU, which I don't think they'd be happy sacrificing (in fact, they rejected membership twice after nationwide referenda).
Also, they are by far the richest country in Europe, why would they sacrifice that?
By all means, Mr Bildt, let the 'other forces' take over
in Serbia. We are thoroughly disgusted with what we had so far. BTW, sir,
Tadic didn't win last elections, it was the American Ambassador who did.
I think that Ireland will approve the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
To all Irish citizens,
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009, 15:35)
Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum, and then what??? A campaign from the pro eu camp to arrange a third vote in Ireland?
The chances that the Irish will vote yes to Lisbon treaty is as big as that the Brits will leave Ulster and let them be reunited with Ireland and apologise to all Irish for the sufferings they have created there in the last 100 years, practically null... But you could always hope... my money would be that Iceland will get in EU in notime, no more countries before Lisbon Treaty, wich wont happen
Let the other forces take over mr Bildt. If they wont happen now, they are sure to happen sooner or later, propobly once in the EU. Knowing Serbia well, the its is the EU force that came to light after hundreds of nationalist neighboring years.
Iceland is already in the European Economic Area, it's on the White Schengen list - maybe they should just tough it out. The other Scandanavian countries have been supporting them during the crisis, which won't last forever, in any case, so maybe Iceland should just go slowly on this and make sure it's in the country's best interest.
first of all, the EU is losing reputation because it is organizing one referendum after the other until the wished result is "achieved" - it´s just this what makes every person with at least a little brain left sceptic about this supranational creature...
as for "Mircea" who is writing about Norway being "isolated" - you couldn´t be more wrong, my dear.
they simply have nothing to fear, they are in fact one of the wealthiest states in Europe, and they really do not have any problems at all which could make them think of joining the EU.
there is simply no rational reason for that.
but talking about "isolation" in this case, ..is simply a joke.
I don't think isolation would impact them much. They have a HUGE coastline and plenty of oil wells to dig for. They only need to curb massive immigration from Africa and the Middle East, deport them and they can continue being the richest country in Europe for several years to come.
Switzerland is the same story, except they are living off their banks.
I do not believe Iceland's eventual membership in the EU will carry that much weight in Norway. Unfortunately. The Norwegian referenda, particularly the one in 1994, had little to do with rational, economic arguments, but rather a close race dividing the population in terms of competing interpretations of history and their expressions in terms of identity constructs, as well as geo-political orientation. Much like the referendum in Montenegro, in other words.
Personally, I agree to a large extent with Bildt that removing the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans, and its people, could have very damaging consequences for further democratic reforms in the region.
'Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum,...'
According to news accounts at the time, the Irish who voted against Lisbon had three main fears - that their outlawing of abortion could be overridden, that their neutrality wouldn't be respected, and - I think - something to do with taxes. Supporters of passage had told them that all of these matters were covered by the treaty, but only implicitly. So those responsible for such things got written amendments introduced during the Czech presidency that explicitly guarantee the relevant points, and the Treaty should have a much better chance the next time it's voted on. The Irish claimed at the time that they didn't have any objection to funding new member states, but that was before the economic crisis, of course.
Why? Diluted criteria and takin on board rogue states (Slovakia) and poor and corrupt economies (Bulgaria, Romania).
Next mistake, promise membership to underdeveloped states for strategic purposes (like in 1980 to Greece and now in Western Balkans) and to even negotiate with Serbia.
Serbia, please do not join EU in the near future for all our sake in EU.
Let the other forces take over mr Bildt. If they wont happen now, they are sure to happen sooner or later, propobly once in the EU. Knowing Serbia well, the its is the EU force that came to light after hundreds of nationalist neighboring years.
The EU has lost it's reputation.
* It has interfered in Serbian elections.
* It ahs reneged on pledges made whiled meddling.
* It's officials, like ?Bild with his Bosnia statements, are encouraging corruption and incompetence.
* It allows a criminal like Djukanovic to stay in power.
After Iceland joins the EU, Norway will be more isolated and may consider joining the EU.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 19:19)"
I read that the Dutch will block entry of Iceland into the EU unless Iceland will pay 1,3 billion Euro to The Netherlands because of the collapse of banks on Iceland where a lot of Dutch had "saved" their money. Norway would be completely insane to join the EU and so would Serbia.
'Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum,...'
According to news accounts at the time, the Irish who voted against Lisbon had three main fears - that their outlawing of abortion could be overridden, that their neutrality wouldn't be respected, and - I think - something to do with taxes. Supporters of passage had told them that all of these matters were covered by the treaty, but only implicitly. So those responsible for such things got written amendments introduced during the Czech presidency that explicitly guarantee the relevant points, and the Treaty should have a much better chance the next time it's voted on. The Irish claimed at the time that they didn't have any objection to funding new member states, but that was before the economic crisis, of course.
"Exclusion of Bosnia from the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen zone next year is a warning to politicians in that country, Bildt said, adding that if they do not undertake action, "the train will leave the station without them".
I would grant the entire ex-YU and ex-SU visa-free travel to EU, USA, Canada on the reciprocity principe. As for job market - of course only positions in need would be open, but that is easy to regulate.
Visas are relatively new "invention" and pretty evil one.
If there's any blame for the EU lagging behind, it's with the EUrocrats. If the EU is soiling themselves everytime they talk about Serbia's "imminent" EU membership (Serbia has been an "imminent" member for almost 9 years now) then someone please send a nice memo to the Dutch and tell them to stop dumping the guilt for their own ineptitude and cowardice in Srebrenica on Serbia and cease keeping an entire country hostage for the fate of one man who's probably far away. Someone also seriously mediate between Slovenia and Croatia over the tiki bar they are apparently having a territorial spat over. And as for Bosnia? Well that's the total fault of all the King's horses and all the King's men in either doing a shoddy job of trying to put this Humpty Dumpty together, or simply thinking it could actually work in the first place.
Don't create more hoops for your pets to jump through and then complain it's taking a long time. If Bulgaria and Romania could get in on a cough, the rest of southeastern Europe can get in.
IF all those hurdles are jumped (and that's three big ones: Iceland = fisheries, Croatia = border, Ireland = Eurosceptics), then what you said will happen, only one thing I completely disagree with: why would Norway join the EU? They are making a killing with their oil and fishing, they know that these things would be all regulated, were Norway to join the EU, which I don't think they'd be happy sacrificing (in fact, they rejected membership twice after nationwide referenda).
Also, they are by far the richest country in Europe, why would they sacrifice that?
Believe me, the EU's reputation is already very tarnished. Reading Mr. Bildt's comments assures us that 1)the EU will stop at nothing (not even interfering in Serbian elections last year) to facillitate nations to become "pro-European"; and 2) the EU desires potential member nations, such as Serbia, to lose most of their pride in the history and accomplishments of their people to become part of the greater "European farce". The EU is hanging on to the hope that the world economy will get better, thus giving the EU more financial leverage to sway struggling nations (ie. Serbia) towards their EU land of "milk and honey". There is no such place...and even though Serbia does have many problems, relying on the EU masters to solve them will not come without a steep price. Serbia has all the necessary tools and historic friends (like Russia) to be able to solve it's own problems without losing it's soul.
Iceland is already in the European Economic Area, it's on the White Schengen list - maybe they should just tough it out. The other Scandanavian countries have been supporting them during the crisis, which won't last forever, in any case, so maybe Iceland should just go slowly on this and make sure it's in the country's best interest.
By all means, Mr Bildt, let the 'other forces' take over
in Serbia. We are thoroughly disgusted with what we had so far. BTW, sir,
Tadic didn't win last elections, it was the American Ambassador who did.
I think that Ireland will approve the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
To all Irish citizens,
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009, 15:35)
Mircea, I am sure that the Irish will vote another NO in the next referendum, and then what??? A campaign from the pro eu camp to arrange a third vote in Ireland?
The chances that the Irish will vote yes to Lisbon treaty is as big as that the Brits will leave Ulster and let them be reunited with Ireland and apologise to all Irish for the sufferings they have created there in the last 100 years, practically null... But you could always hope... my money would be that Iceland will get in EU in notime, no more countries before Lisbon Treaty, wich wont happen
Vote "yes" for the Lisbon Treaty on 2 October.
(Mircea, 27 July 2009 15:35)
Why should they? They have already voted no previously and if EU cannot stomach that, then that is their problem.
Are they going to badger them until they get a yes?
NO means NO.
first of all, the EU is losing reputation because it is organizing one referendum after the other until the wished result is "achieved" - it´s just this what makes every person with at least a little brain left sceptic about this supranational creature...
as for "Mircea" who is writing about Norway being "isolated" - you couldn´t be more wrong, my dear.
they simply have nothing to fear, they are in fact one of the wealthiest states in Europe, and they really do not have any problems at all which could make them think of joining the EU.
there is simply no rational reason for that.
but talking about "isolation" in this case, ..is simply a joke.
I do not believe Iceland's eventual membership in the EU will carry that much weight in Norway. Unfortunately. The Norwegian referenda, particularly the one in 1994, had little to do with rational, economic arguments, but rather a close race dividing the population in terms of competing interpretations of history and their expressions in terms of identity constructs, as well as geo-political orientation. Much like the referendum in Montenegro, in other words.
Personally, I agree to a large extent with Bildt that removing the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans, and its people, could have very damaging consequences for further democratic reforms in the region.
I don't think isolation would impact them much. They have a HUGE coastline and plenty of oil wells to dig for. They only need to curb massive immigration from Africa and the Middle East, deport them and they can continue being the richest country in Europe for several years to come.
Switzerland is the same story, except they are living off their banks.
Why? Diluted criteria and takin on board rogue states (Slovakia) and poor and corrupt economies (Bulgaria, Romania).
Next mistake, promise membership to underdeveloped states for strategic purposes (like in 1980 to Greece and now in Western Balkans) and to even negotiate with Serbia.
Serbia, please do not join EU in the near future for all our sake in EU.
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