Jat

England is not actually a member with the EU yet. We aren't as bogged down in the bureaucracy which the EU is. Remember, Canada use to supply much to Europe in the past as well.

Jat

No, they actually said that they would keep both. I remember watching their news conference stating this. No one actually believed them at the time. If Quebec wants to separate they know that they leave naked and not with as much land as they think they will.

seanie

Well that's certainly news to us over here in Europe.

Who do you think is in the EU?

Ut

Huh? I still think you've missed the point. When they say they want to "keep" the social programs, they do not mean that Quebeckers remain in the Ottawa-run programs. They mean that they will fund, with taxes that would not go to Ottawa anymore, a Quebec-only version of these social programs. That is what is meant by "keeping" these social programs.

Proxima Centauri

This looks likely. We Brits have a lot culturally in common with with you American English speakers on the other side of the Atlantic, (the Pond). We also have a lot culturally and geographically in common with other Europeans on the other side of the English Channel.
We try to be a bridge between the two. A lot of the time we are successful. But we don't fully belong in either community.

seanie

I think we have more culturally in common with the rest of Europe than we do with the US.

We deceive ourselves into thinking otherwise because we happen to speak a similar language.

Mark

It's very depressing

Our most pro-EU Prime Minister in years and he tells the French, Germans and Russians to go f*** themselves

I used to think Britain could be a bridge between the EU and the US, but now I think it's one way or the other (personally for me it's EU or bust).

And another reason Turkey won't join any time soon is because of Greece. They don't like each other, largely over Cyprus.

I'm not sure I'd like Russia to join the EU. Representation in the Council of the EU and Parliament is based on population levels. Russia would be absolutely overwhelming.

seanie

The votes on the council is weighted for population but not strictly tied to it. It been adjusted to give the smaller countries more of a voice. Up till now it's been;

Germany, France, Italy, UK - 10 votes

Spain - 8

Belgium, Greece, Netherlands Portugal - 5

Austria, Sweden - 4

Denmark, Ireland, Finland - 3

Luxembourg - 2

So even a country with the population of Russia could be accomodated since the weight of their vote would be a negotiated part of entry.

However I don't see it happening anytime soon.

meritocrat

We've been a member since 1973.

Henry-Finland

I do not believe Russia will ever be a part of EU. It is too big for that.
But it can have some special treaties with EU. About custom fees etc.
Remember also that Putin was not against that Russia was beginning to work together with NATO.

I think one day US is asked to take a hike from Europe, and then even the nationalists in Russia are intrested, for obvious reasons, to join NATO. It is a horrible thought, but not so unrealistic if there will be one Bush more in the USA-presidental line.

It seem that people do not always understand how a potential country Russia is = people always been poor, blinds the people in west.
In reality it is like a country that has the educational level very high, and has the biggest natural resources in the world.
OK. We are interested in the natural resources, but we are also interested in their market.
The ppeople is so fucking poor that they have nothing. It is a dream-country of any vacuum-cleaner seller.
Belive me, I have lived there for 6 years.

Henry