Cyprus-Forum.com

[Simon]

As Cyprus is now a part of the EU and soon to join the Euro, I was wondering what your views are regarding further integration. Do you think it is a good thing? Should the European Union integrate completely into a Federation, in a similar style to the US? Would this ever be possible? Surely it would be a good thing for the world to have a counter-balance to the current US domination of world affairs? If so, should Cyprus be a part of it? What effect would this have on the Cyprus problem?

Keen to hear your views.

[Piratis]

I believe creating a federation will be difficult since people identify with their countries but not with EU. However creating a confederation of some sort will be necessary if EU wants to survive.

I am not sure if this will be fore the benefit of Cyprus or not. So far the EU countries care mostly about their own interests, and not about the interests of the rest EU members. For example do you think the USA would stand it if even a tiny edge of its territory was illegally occupied? I don't think so. However in EU each country cares just for its own territory and interests.

[Simon]

Further to your comments Piratis, surely a confederation would be a good thing for Cyprus. Maybe not many EU countries care too much for Cyprus at the moment, because there is no centralised government in the EU; dictating policy. At the moment we have this farcical situation of 6 months rotating Presidencies. What the EU really needs in my opinion is an elected President. This would obviously be implemented if a confederation/federation emerged. Furthermore, it would then mean the EU would be compelled to take a much more active role in the Cyprus problem, as quite literally, EU territory would be under occupation, (which would then align with your example of the US). Some would argue that EU territory is under occupation currently; and while this is technically true; because the EU has no sense of nationality or identity yet, it does not strike a strong enough cord in Brussels, (i.e. no state truly feels as if it is EU territory yet in my opinion). This would obviously change if the EU formed into a superstate.

I agree with you that people identify with their countries first; and if the EU is to survive, this attitude must change.

[Sotos]

I agree with you that people identify with their countries first; and if the EU is to survive, this attitude must change.

How easy do you think is that? The British for example don't even want to adopt the Euro! I think it will not be possible for EU to become one country. With the USA it was different because it was the New World and states were newly formed and not with long history like the European countries.

[miltiades]

I agree with you that people identify with their countries first; and if the EU is to survive, this attitude must change.

How easy do you think is that? The British for example don't even want to adopt the Euro! I think it will not be possible for EU to become one country. With the USA it was different because it was the New World and states were newly formed and not with long history like the European countries.

Sotos , the British historically tend to to the right thing at the end .

One and only one reason the Brits , or at least the majority , do not care much for the Euro. Loss of Sterling , the Pound , loss of sovereignty some say , sovereignty that was given away years ago and it is still handed out to the third world immigrants. The business world , the CBI does support Euro , Banks are lukewarm since it will cost them millions in lost exchange rates. The Brits happily loose more than 10% in exchange rates and should they revert back to Stg another 10% on the way back. Did you know that when you have a Euro account in the UK , and deposited let us say 1000 Euros , the Banks charge a monthly fee of about 22 Euros per month so even if you never use this account , it diminishes every month until all your Euros have been swallowed up by the banks.

Yes indeed Europe should integrate further , it will stop another world war occurring if nothing else.

[Simon]

Sotos, if Britain refuses to become a part of the United States of Europe; Europe can unite without her. The EU does not begin and end at Britain. I am sure that the other big players; France, Germany, Italy and Spain are all keen on further integration. Britain is more closely aligned to the US rather than the EU; therefore, perhaps the EU should seek further integration without her. I predict two levels of European countries emerging. One level will seek complete integration; i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Greece etc; and the other; a more economical and purely trade-based partnership; i.e. the UK, Norway, Switzerland etc. (I realise the latter two are not in the EU; which evidences how I currently view the UK position). My view is, the EU should not let the latter group get in the way of their goal. The EU can still be a superpower without the UK; however, what will the UK become outside the EU? Consequently, I believe the question Cypriots must ask eventually is; what group or level would they prefer to be in? The first or second?

[free_cyprus]

Simon
Furthermore, it would then mean the EU would be compelled to take a much more active role in the Cyprus problem, as quite literally, EU territory would be under occupation, (which would then align with your example of the US). Some would argue that EU territory is under occupation currently


you of cource mean its being occupied by turkey and greece together along with britain.................... thats what your talking about when your talking about cyprus right

[Simon]

No, I mean it is being occupied by Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus is a sovereign state and is not occupied by Greece.

You really are boring. Do us all a favour and FECK OFF!!!!

[rotate]

The EU should become a super state with,
One elected Leader
One elected House of Representives
One Judicial system
One Foreign Policy
One Military Command (strong)
One Taxation system (no income tax/VAT exemptions for Eurocrats)
One Social Security system
One Immigration Policy
One Flag (for those that must wave em)
One Anthem (only for those who can sing)
etc etc.

Before we get to that point we must have a written constitution that is acceptable to all the electorate, decide one way or the other where Europes borders end, adopt one language possibly Latin and settle once and for all the Basque, Irish, Corsican, Italian N. League and of course Cyprus disputes and conflicts.

The word Union should be dropped, the 'nation' should be referred to only as Europe and it's citizens only as Europeans. No former ethnic/national identities must remain, doing away once and for ever with the divisions that have plagued fragmented Europe since time began.

For EU member states that have overseas possesions colonies sovereign areas (Britain France Spain) etc, the inhabitants must decide if they wish to a) be independent b) be aligned with another state c) be Europeans with the same rights and responsibilties as all Europeans.

Recommended reading,
'The Rights of Man' by Thomas Payne, good enough for the British revolutionaries in America and the leaders of the French revolution.

[Simon]

I agree Rotate; the question is: will the people of the EU want this to happen? I do, but I fear not enough do. It seems that the European people are currently more sceptical about the EU now than ever (considering the recent rejection of the Constitution in France and the Netherlands). However, it could be said that they are sceptical because they dislike the way the current EU works. This is fair comment. However, if people are just sceptical of a European nation full stop; then the EU can only go so far until its bubble bursts.

By the way, regarding Latin being the official language, I considered this myself, and as much as I would love to see that happen, (Latin becoming a major language again that is) I simply cannot see that happening. It is more than likely the language would be English.