Welcome my european friends!

[cjolley]

Originally posted by TransformX
No nations mean no different cultures. Eventually this is supposed to mean that everyone are the same, which they aren't.
I think the EU is nothing more than an experiment in anthropology, economy etc. I don't think it'll hold for long*.

* I think the EU will fall apart / blow up in up to 20 years from now.

Travel around the US for a while.
We've lasted a while, with as much or more cultural divesity than the EU has.
Though we do share a common language.
Maybe that's whats next for the EU.
If it can get the French to go along.
Chuck

[thop]

No borders is a good thing, there have been enough wars about borders already. You should know that better than anyone else Tx.

[RedRed]

For instance christianity was brought to Slovenians in 10th/11th century by Irish monks

and we got our christianity from the Welsh and from Rome

[TransformX]

Originally posted by thop
No borders is a good thing, there have been enough wars about borders already. You should know that better than anyone else Tx.

I disagree, borders are a great thing. One has to draw the line somewhere.

[Greebe]

Borders are neccessary only because mankind is a territorial creature. Hardly more social than animals when property lines are crossed. It's one of scurges humanity must get past to survive an ever increasing poplulation that's out of control.

[UtwigMU]

Btw, I didn't know Ireland has a female president.

[GNEP]

Sorry to interrupt this thread, but just been to a nightclub... seriously, if a sample of humanity was taken there then we are all f**ked .

Aside from that, my personal belief is that the nation state is a purely transient entity - xxx years from now it will be seen as "quaint" - there really is no reason for such deliniation between human beings, other than it can promote a certain degree of overall progress for now. It won't for ever though.

[UtwigMU]

Here's a GNP graph in percentage for EU:

Luxembourg
Danmark
Ireland
Austria
Netherlands
Belgium
Finland
Italy
Germany
Sweden
France
EU-15
Great Britain
Euro Zone
Spain
Portugal
Slovenia
Greece
Czech Republic
Hungary
Slovakia
Poland

Source: Eurostat, I copied graph from some .pdf on Central Bank of Slovenia site.

The baltic and mediterranean states are not included, but expect baltic states near Poland and mediterranean near Slovenia.

Source BBC:
Lithuania: 39%
Latvia: 35%
Estonia: 42%

Malta: 69%
Cyprus: 72%

(Percentage of average European GDP per capita.)

The new countries didn't have opt out of Euro zone possibility and are expected to enter ERM2 (European Exchange rates mechanism) in 2005-2007 and after 2 years enter Euro Zone.

[RedRed]

way to go Irska!

[KvHagedorn]

Wow.. what are they doing in Luxemburg? Is there a huge gold mine there or something?

[DukeP]

Luxemborg is basically a bank.


THe numbers might appear skewed - but think of the size of the country.

Its a bit like converting Beverly hills into a state - and then ask why the other states are so far behind.

~~DukeP~~

[Novdid]

Very good illustration Duke!!!