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Post by Jaga on Nov 17, 2012 1:31:26 GMT -7
We were discussing here in the forum EU prospects. It looks grim.  The recession reaches everybody. Europeans (like all other folks) feel entitled.... I just listened to the conversation with a very important Polish guy in EU, Lewandowski. He is hinting that there will be the end of EU which we know.Great Britain refuses giving more money into EU budget. Germany will be undergoing the elections, so the parties need to promise sth positive to their citizens rather than sponsoring everybody else in the union. One of the biggest basic research unit, CERN will probably soon restructure and reduce its workforce. I agree that some of the high energy particle projects can wait. This is just so expensive and unpractical now. Poles were used to get money from EU budget for many projects. Greece is in the free fall. The fate of EU will be known soon. If the budget would not be accepted there might be only a budget on year to year basis, no any long-term projects could be planned. This is the beginning of the end. Actually, the beginning of the end was with refusal to accept EU constitition, but then everything slowly began to go apart.....Still, I think hat for Poland EU was a wonderful gift and Poles would be able to cope with whatever future will bring. Maybe there would be a different union in the future, but I wish it was less bureaucractic. |
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Post by Jaga on Nov 17, 2012 1:40:15 GMT -7
here is more info: Britain is one of several net contributors including Germany and France demanding deep reductions to EU spending plans worth more than 1 trillion euros between 2014-2020, which they say are at stark odds with austerity-driven spending cuts at home. Under pressure from Eurosceptics in his own party to deliver a real terms cut, officials believe Cameron is the most likely to make good on a threat to veto a deal at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels starting next Thursday. Germany and others fear that would throw future EU spending into chaos, distract from more important efforts to shore up the faltering euro zone and undermine market confidence in Europe at a sensitive time. ... That would increase the likelihood of a veto by France, which is already furious at deep cuts to farm subsidies in Van Rompuy's proposal and fears more reductions in agricultural spending as leaders chip away at the total figure. Further cuts to EU cohesion spending - used mainly to fund infrastructure projects in poorer eastern European member states - could also stiffen opposition in countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. But officials believe it will be hard for the biggest beneficiaries such as Poland to veto a deal, and they say France is far less likely that Britain to derail the talks. www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/15/us-eu-budget-idUSBRE8AE16H20121115 |
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Post by Nictoshek on Nov 17, 2012 5:47:23 GMT -7
 Watch out for Putin's Byzantine Russia. The world may yet again hold its breath. |
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Post by pieter on Nov 17, 2012 9:15:47 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Nov 17, 2012 9:40:03 GMT -7
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Post by Jaga on Nov 17, 2012 10:48:11 GMT -7
Nictoe,
I think it is good that the Orthodoz Church is in good relations with Russia. I also hope that Russia would not became too greedy about the neighboring countries, but who knows....no UE is good for Ryssua.
Pieter, thanks for the articles, I will read it since I was looking into some indepth analysis.
"Gazeta Wyborcza", main Polish newspaper is rather a tabloid right now.
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Post by karl on Nov 17, 2012 11:24:31 GMT -7
It would as it appears to be, many thoughts upon the present and future of the EU. And not with out cause, for very true, at this moment in time, there have been some storms and bumps in the path of progress.
This in self, is not the beginning of the end but in this stead, beginnings of change. For the blue print of progress was instituted some time past with the beginnings of the EU. In this manner, the direction is as always as envisioned, infront of us, and that is the direction of the EU.
In as much as to the UK, their primary interest is of course the vast market that makes up the EU. And for good reason, at present they risk little, but profit much and in this manner, they have not the anchor chain of drag that is of the debtor membership nations, especially Greece. And as long as The UK belongs to the EU, it has access to this vast market. But, if perhaps to break off membership, this would in self place an unbearable strain upon the commercial community of The UK and inself, their economy.
In short, The UK is standing aside whilst the remainder as holding the sack of troubles with out risk to them selves.
What most likely will be the constant, is France and our selves as the pivotal point of stability of the EU. Although the self made leadership in Brussels will most not likely agree to that statement, but non-the-less, it is factual.
The other aspect to a foundation of change, is if The Russian Federation is to join in the EU. For then the formula of success will have changed, rather for better or for worse is simply rhetoric. For Russia has the potential of vast resources that with the proper investment into suitable infrastructure of expanded transport system in and out of the Siberia region. This would inself expand into Poland as a transport terminal for over land transport into and out of the Siberian region of inner Russia.
For the centre of manufacturing is in Western Europe. For not of fault to Poland, but to the reality of the past and present of lack of consolidated high efficient production resources.
The EU is a self directed vast market, but it takes raw materials, vast amounts of energy used for production of goods for use by people. In this self, it is self generating for trade creates trade, and trade is to the good of consumers at a price that is both affordable and in self, creates standards of living to be enjoyed by most.
It is most important the vision of success be maintained, for in this manner, the will to succeed will strengthen against the clouds of defeat. It is most important for the success of all, that the weaker members of the few be brought up to standards set by the majority.
Karl
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Post by Jaga on Nov 22, 2012 2:09:59 GMT -7
Karl,
I agree that European politics need the change. EU was a necessary experiment. It will last some time, but probably not in the same scale as before.
The EU summit started. I agree that it cannot be the norm that some countries sponsor the other.
Countries should stop demanding from other countries. They all need to work together, not just pull the rope their directions.
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Post by Jaga on Nov 22, 2012 22:34:40 GMT -7
The EU summit started. It was not broken yet (there were fears that UK really does not want to be a part). They will keep on talking, but for now it is good that it is going on. Polish press is much more excited and optimistic than Reuters below: (Reuters) - Prospects of a deal on the European Union's long-term budget dimmed on Friday after a fresh compromise proposal offered concessions to France and Poland but ignored British and German demands for deeper overall spending cuts.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, chairing a summit of EU leaders to decide on a 2014-2020 budget worth about 1 trillion euros, bowed to pressure from French President Francois Hollande and his Polish counterpart to scale back proposed cuts to farm subsidies and regional development funds.Here are the leaders:   |
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Post by Jaga on Nov 23, 2012 7:29:35 GMT -7
The second day of EU does not bring sites together. The compromise may not be possible this year.
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Post by pieter on Nov 23, 2012 17:06:24 GMT -7
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Post by Jaga on Nov 24, 2012 1:47:01 GMT -7
Pieter,
thanks. I saw it. Everybody fights for money. I understand that Cameron does not want to give more when...... there is so much consumption by EU bureaucracy. Germany agreed with Great Britain that the budget should be thinned out. They asked France whether it would be possible to eliminate Stransboutg as the second EU site. France said "no".
Costs of travelling for EU members between Brussel and Strasbourg is high. What for?
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Post by Jaga on Nov 24, 2012 1:59:08 GMT -7
Here is an interesting article about EU overspending. High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/11/how-to-cut-europes-bureaucracy/#ixzz2D82pjA41 One of this morning’s reports from the EU summit is headlined – “David Cameron fails to cut EU bureaucrats pay and perks“. With the EU budget talks collapsing on Friday afternoon, it appears to be true, at least for now. And it’s a great shame. I know that sentiment will deeply irritate my friends in the EU bureaucracy – some of whom have been emailing me to point out that spending on administration is a mere €6bn a year, which is less than 6% of total EU spending. Even so, there is plenty of waste in the EU budget that could be easily sliced away. The following agencies could easily be shut down, with no net loss to humankind: 1) Cedefop – The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. 2) The European Economic and Social committee, whose mission is apparently to serve as a “bridge between Europe and organised civil society”. 3) The Committee of the Regions. 4) The Court of Auditors. (And yes, I know the EU needs to be audited – but why not out-source the job and close the 800 strong court.) High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/11/how-to-cut-europes-bureaucracy/#ixzz2D82z6sAq Closing these four agencies alone would mean the EU could bring its head-count down by about 2,500. There are also plenty of job cuts that could be made elsewhere. The European Commission currently has over 100 officials at “director-general” level – but only 33 director-general jobs. One reason for this is that jobs are often handed out (or created) as part of a political deal, based on nationality. Another is that it is almost impossible to sack people on grounds of laziness or incompetence. The regulations to do this do not seem to exist – and the staff unions are strong. As a result, one of the main mechanisms for getting rid of useless EU officials is to pension them off on grounds of “disability”. .... blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/11/how-to-cut-europes-bureaucracy/#axzz2D81e9cUz |
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Post by Jaga on Nov 24, 2012 2:04:28 GMT -7
Chauffeurs and cars are another area to look at. Every judge at the European Court of Justice has one. Why?
............
There is the notorious Strasbourg run. To humour the French, the European Parliament maintains two huge parliament buildings – one in Brussels and one in Strasbourg. Moving the entire parliament to Strasbourg for one week a month costs hundreds of millions of euros a year. Even many people in Brussels are outraged by the expense and the inconvenience. Yet, so far, it has proved impossible to end the practice because Strasbourg’s role is written into the European treaties. The French have a veto over change, as they do over cuts in the single biggest budget item (which has nothing to do with admin) – the Common Agricultural Policy.
...
Then, there is pensions. Cameron is arguing for an increase in the retirement age to 68.
What is harder to argue with is that the expectation that people should be able to retire on 70% of their salary is now outdated. There is almost nowhere in the private sector where that applies any longer.
I remember from my time in Brussels was from Commission officials who said that they were bored out of their skulls, but they couldn’t risk changing jobs because they could never replicate the Commission’s pension arrangements anywhere else.
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Post by pieter on Nov 24, 2012 14:42:55 GMT -7
Chauffeurs and cars are another area to look at. Every judge at the European Court of Justice has one. Why? ............ There is the notorious Strasbourg run. To humour the French, the European Parliament maintains two huge parliament buildings – one in Brussels and one in Strasbourg. Moving the entire parliament to Strasbourg for one week a month costs hundreds of millions of euros a year. Even many people in Brussels are outraged by the expense and the inconvenience. Yet, so far, it has proved impossible to end the practice because Strasbourg’s role is written into the European treaties. The French have a veto over change, as they do over cuts in the single biggest budget item (which has nothing to do with admin) – the Common Agricultural Policy. ... Then, there is pensions. Cameron is arguing for an increase in the retirement age to 68. High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/11/how-to-cut-europes-bureaucracy/#ixzz2D842CIjbWhat is harder to argue with is that the expectation that people should be able to retire on 70% of their salary is now outdated. There is almost nowhere in the private sector where that applies any longer. High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/11/how-to-cut-europes-bureaucracy/#ixzz2D846SWNKI remember from my time in Brussels was from Commission officials who said that they were bored out of their skulls, but they couldn’t risk changing jobs because they could never replicate the Commission’s pension arrangements anywhere else. Jaga, As a European I say cut the crap, stop wasting our Europeans tax payers money and close the Strasbourg building and keep the European parlaiment in Brussels. I know that the French are a powerful force in Europe. Let's give another International institution to Strasbourg or Paris to satisfy the French. Cheers, Pieter |
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