Posted on 12/27/2006 9:35:51 AM PST by WesternCulture
Top ten EU achievements in 2006
Ten examples have been selected from 2006 of how the EU is working to improve your economic and social well-being – these include sending out peacekeepers, developing a satellite navigation system, making chemicals safer and reducing roaming charges for mobile phones.
It may not be widely recognised, but the EU is acting in an ever‑growing number of areas that directly affect all Europeans.
In 2006, for example, it took steps to ban misleading claims on food packaging, helping consumers choose healthy foods and avoid obesity. Claims such as "low fat" have now become standardised to mean the same thing in all EU countries.
Another of the EU's targets has been roaming charges on mobile phone use within the EU. Extortionate prices – averaging four times the price of a domestic call – are now being curbed. A new draft law is set to cut prices across the board from summer 2007, with the highest rates to be reduced by up to 70%.
A new law regulating chemicals will protect workers and consumers, requiring industry to replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives wherever possible. For over 30 000 chemicals, manufacturers will also have to pass on information concerning possible dangers and how these can be reduced.
In the technology field, the EU has been developing its own satellite navigation system, Galileo. In January 2006, the system received its first test signals from an experimental satellite sent into orbit at the end of 2005. Consisting of a constellation of 30 satellites, Galileo is set to become fully operational in 2008, providing navigation assistance to land, sea and air traffic as well as to travellers around the world.
Internationally, the EU has sent troops to the Congo and south Lebanon – two highly volatile areas. In the Congo, these forces helped maintain stability during the first democratic presidential and parliamentary elections in over 40 years, while in Lebanon, 7 500 troops were deployed to bolster the interim UN force.
Other major achievements in 2006 include Bulgaria and Romania's EU entry, Slovenia's adoption of the euro, cuts in sugar prices and an end to overproduction, the opening of the European market to trade in services, and measures to tackle illegal immigration.
What is needed is a settlement involving good-hearted muslims, responsible westerners and representatives of other cultures aiming at once and for all securing the prescence of civilization in the part of the world that once produced civilization in itself.
Dixi.
I DO think that sending troops to the ME can be considered an "achievement" when you consider that they would have to fly an Airbus in order to get there.
ping for future.
"I DO think that sending troops to the ME can be considered an "achievement" when you consider that they would have to fly an Airbus in order to get there."
Salutations Amigo!
An interesting list. I suppose I shouldn't be overcritical given its source, but inasmuch as fully half of these achievements involve new legislation, it would appear that the author considers that nothing improves the lives of the citizens quite as much as the relentless regulation of same. It's a legitimate point of view, I guess, but it isn't mine.
"An interesting list. I suppose I shouldn't be overcritical given its source, but inasmuch as fully half of these achievements involve new legislation, it would appear that the author considers that nothing improves the lives of the citizens quite as much as the relentless regulation of same. It's a legitimate point of view, I guess, but it isn't mine."
Anyone not suffering from a complete entanglement of red tape will recognize the true meaning of the post above:
Europe is awakening.
Nor is it mine.
The following speech recently held at Heritage Foundation, gives a concise but in my opinion correct view of the EU. Apart from the drive towards relentless regulation, note the part about the European Defence Procurement Agency. The EU will do its utmost to sever the UK/US alliance.
Except for the issues regarding defence and foreign policy the speech could have been about Sweden instead of the UK.
We (at least the majority of the Swedes - I voted no) were also tricked to vote for something else than the political union we are now getting. Our economy had even begun to be more liberalized than most other EU nations before we entered - the regulations in the agricultural sector had just been disbanded when they had to be reintroduced again due to our EU membership, our social security system is based on ideas by Milton Friedman and his disciples in the Cato institute).
Is the E.U. America's Friend or Foe?
My motto is:
The EU out of Sweden - Sweden out of the EU
We would do very well with the same trading agreements that Norway and Switzerland have.
First of all do you understand what association that sentence gives?*
Secondly, if you mean that the EU is finding its economic feet you are totally deluded. And if you think that the Europeans = the nationals of the various nation states in Europe - are waking up to the problems and dangers posed by the EU I think you are far too optimistic.
*"Deutschland erwache" was the battle cry of the NSPD during the late 20s and early 30s.
IIRC it took the Germans until May 1945 to really wake up.
"First of all do you understand what association that sentence gives?*"
Yes, I do, to me and millions of other educated Europeans and Americans, it produces the association of a situation consisting in certain differences existing between our cultures, yet an insight of the pressing need to step up to the true challenge of our day:
The creation of Western Civilization in full bloom.
The good people of Europe trust all true Americans of participation in this cause!
Thants a good read scania and I agree 100% with the article. The EU is a communist lite system(Soviet like).The US can stand on its own. I just feel sorry for the nations that can not and will be swallowed by another marxist union.
We bring you apologees!
Still, I don't hesitate to say:
The raw, uncompromising power of the EU has brought holy amenities to our blue-flag-with-some-stars-land: Blessed be Marxist vodka!
-Slurp!!!
One of the biggest problems facing the nations within the EU is that they are being ruled from the top down by unelected Kommisars.
They will regulate everything regardless of ndividual needs, as long as it it evenly applied. That is silly.
I have read the entire proposed constitution and can honestly say that this will be the most dangerous manifesto in the world, if adopted.
Soon the cost of living will be so high in those countries that all citizens might as well go to the Government and pick up coupons to buy approved items since they won't have enough money left to stand on their own.
I go to Europe 3-4 times per year and I am astounded at the high costs. All the while the German Government, for instance, tells their citizens that inflation is non-existant.
Oh well, it is their country( Continent)
Have you been to any Scandinavian country?
I bring this matter to topic out of three reasons:
1. We're so much richer than the continentals, spare inhabitants of Switzerland and suchlike states.
2. If so, you'd know what a world ruled by vikings is bound to look like
3. Silly endeavours of the koreans in the car global business will get overrun by millions of rich Europeans, Americans and Asians buying BMW-, Audi-, Volvo-, Cadillac and Mercedes-SUVs.
yes, I have. Iceland, Norway, Denmark. Have only been to Sweden in the Airport.
I must say that everything is relative, For instance, I find Iceland so ridiculously expensive that foreigners (Europeans included) can't afford much. Norway comes in second, followed by Denmark as a distant 3rd.
The mainland Europeans wil soon move up in that category since their appetite for Taxes and higher wages will be their downfall in the future. It only takes so long before the global marketplace will shift due to the exhorborant cost basis.
The Scandinavian countries are more expensive to outsiders because you lot fail to compete.
Our currencies seem expensive because we swing a better sword.
"you lot fail to compete"?
Explain that one.
In a global marketplace it is very dangerous to keep costs that high. Just look at the chinese and the inroads they have made recently. The same goes for most Asian countries, soon to be followed by Viet-Nam.
It takes time , but the trend lines are here.
"you lot fail to compete"?
Explain that one.
I will.
The dollar has fallen something like 100% towards the leading scandinavivian currency, the Swedish Krona (SEK) since 2001.
While the American economy is facing a slowdown, Sweden and the rest of the Scandinavian economies will reach levels as not dreamt of before in the the history of mankind.
Imagine everyone having two homes + the SUV.
That's us.
- The reason I wish to market this concept of society is not that I oppose traditional conservatism and capitalism. The reason, sooner, is that the Scandinavian countries of today is the best example of healthy capitalism and societal organization existing in this world of today!
Long live PROSPERITY!
My compatriot must have imbibed a little too much of those special drinks that usually accompany our Christmas meal.
;-)
Economically speaking, with the dollars decline our exports are cheaper than anyone elses, except Asia.
The American standard of living is still ahead of the scandinavian countries as well as Europe.
You have to take the income and see what it buys. Our prices here are half, sometimes one third of those in Europe.
Don't get too giddy about Scandinavia. It won't last more than a couple of years. The only advantage Norway and Scottland have is their oil production. Watch Gneral Motors and Fords decision soon on whether to continue building Cars in Scandinavia, where it has become a losing proposition.
"While the American economy is facing a slowdown, Sweden and the rest of the Scandinavian economies will reach levels as not dreamt of before in the the history of mankind."
Sorry, I don't share your enthusiasm. I have always looked at trend lines when I was European director for my company. They don't bode well.
During my visits I have become very familiar with the northern culture's weekend binges. :)
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