Comments on: Where is the European project headed? http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/where-is-the-european-project-headed/ European Opinion Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:55:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Elliott Oti http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/where-is-the-european-project-headed/#comment-429 Elliott Oti Wed, 24 Sep 2003 20:09:13 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=42#comment-429 A disenmantlement of the EU is highly unlikely, at least not in the next couple of decades. Seccession by one or more disgruntled member states is more likely than the whole union disbanding. A disenmantlement of the EU is highly unlikely, at least not in the next couple of decades. Seccession by one or more disgruntled member states is more likely than the whole union disbanding.

]]> By: Edward Hugh http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/where-is-the-european-project-headed/#comment-428 Edward Hugh Wed, 24 Sep 2003 18:12:32 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=42#comment-428 "Americans have been saying there's a risk of crisis, and that the Union will become divided and dysfunctional" This is why I think it is crucial to maintain the euro/EU distinction. There may well be more disagreement and/or problems with the common currency, but I don't see the EU heading for crisis. Arguments and debates, of course. But isn't this normal and healthy. Alignments and re-alignments, again ditto. Will the Franco/German axis decline. Possibly. Will the UK find a better way, post Iraq, of involving itself, I hope so. Will the little countries rebel, I hope so too etc etc. One important thing is that whatever the short term 'tiffs' we are unlikely to see rupture. Just like Argentina and the IMF, who no matter how often they say 'agreement is impossible' still get back together to talk. Both of the parties need each other. We Europeans likewise. “Americans have been saying there’s a risk of crisis, and that the Union will become divided and dysfunctional”

This is why I think it is crucial to maintain the euro/EU distinction. There may well be more disagreement and/or problems with the common currency, but I don’t see the EU heading for crisis. Arguments and debates, of course. But isn’t this normal and healthy. Alignments and re-alignments, again ditto.

Will the Franco/German axis decline. Possibly. Will the UK find a better way, post Iraq, of involving itself, I hope so. Will the little countries rebel, I hope so too etc etc.

One important thing is that whatever the short term ‘tiffs’ we are unlikely to see rupture. Just like Argentina and the IMF, who no matter how often they say ‘agreement is impossible’ still get back together to talk. Both of the parties need each other. We Europeans likewise.

]]> By: Richard http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/where-is-the-european-project-headed/#comment-427 Richard Tue, 23 Sep 2003 23:22:43 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=42#comment-427 One thing that interests me is how the arrival of the new countries will alter the current alliances within the EU. Many American, and to a lesser extent, British commentators have suggested that it will dilute the degree of influence held by the Franco-German axis. The problem is that on many issues the converse may be more likely; Hungary and Poland are likely to side with France over the common agricultural policy, for example. As a point of speculation, Poland becoming part of the Franco-German axis seems as likely an outcome as the American prediction. One thing that interests me is how the arrival of the new countries will alter the current alliances within the EU. Many American, and to a lesser extent, British commentators have suggested that it will dilute the degree of influence held by the Franco-German axis. The problem is that on many issues the converse may be more likely; Hungary and Poland are likely to side with France over the common agricultural policy, for example. As a point of speculation, Poland becoming part of the Franco-German axis seems as likely an outcome as the American prediction.

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