After
years of devastating wars and conflicts in Europe (especially First
and Second World War), the leaders of the European countries decided
to put an end to the crippling rivalry between nations by laying the
foundation for permanent peace. The embodiment of this ideals is now
the European Union.
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Headquarters
of the European Parliament in Strasburg
– the heart of the
european democracy
http://www.portal.wci.pl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/pe.jpeg
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EU is
the most recognizable and probably the most influential international
organisation. The
scale of cooperation between its member states is unprecedented and
absolutely unique in history. EU has its own institutions like
Parliament (EP), Court of Justice (CJEU), banks (ECB and EIB) and a
team of enthusiastic clerks.
The
history of the EU dates back to the fifties when charismatic and
visionary political leaders (as Robert Schumann, Konrad Adenauer)
made the momentous decision to establish European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC). Its main task was to control the coal extraction
and steel production. Further steps towards deeper integration were
European Economic Community (EEC) and the Maastricht Treaty (November
1993). The latest milestone in the development of the EU was signing
the Lisbon Treaty which secured the legal consolidation and enhanced
the way of making decisions.
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In
nearly each area of our daily life we can see the presence of the EU.
As the EU citizens we have right to travel without visas and border
control to almost all EU countries. Furthermore
we can work, settle, start a business and acquire property with no
limits inside the EU area. This rights are the reflection of
fundamental principle of the EU – free movement of goods, capital,
services and people. The truly convenient aspect of living in the EU
is that when we travel to the majority of member countries we can pay
in the same currency – euro.
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New
headquarters of Physics Faculty – still under construction
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Poland
is the member since 2004, which was accepted by its people in the
accession referendum in 2003. Just from the beginning of our
membership in the EU we can see huge progress that was made in our
country. Thanks to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) we have
funds to invest in infrastructure, technology and innovative economy.
The best example of this is Copernicus Science Centre and Centre
of New Technologies Ochota University of Warsaw, which include the
building of the new headquarters of Physics Faculty. The EU also
gives money to the most popular student exchange program – Erasmus.
However,
EU has also the sizeable group of opponents. They criticize it for
excessive bureaucracy and too complicated procedures of making
decisions that leads to the waste of money and inefficiency. Probably
the most important argument that is made by them is that the EU takes
sovereignty away from state countries to the unelective institutions
like European Commission. The critics also condemn the idea of the
European External Action Service (EEAS) that serves as foreign
ministry and diplomatic corps for the EU. The most recognizable
sceptic of the ideas of european integration is Nigel Farage the
leader of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) and United
Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).
Now the
EU have to face up with the critical time of global financial crisis,
when lots of countries like Greece, Spain or Italy are sinking in the
sea of debts. Banking sector needs to be deeply reformed to avoid the
return of recession. Another trouble to tackle with is to fix the EU
budget for 2013 – 2020. That would be extremely difficult task
because the most influential countries like UK and Germany object to
increase the EU spending. This point is widely criticized among new
member states like Poland, which recognize the importance of having
well-balanced budget but also believe that EU funds play an important
role in stimulating the growth. The next challenge for the EU is to
remain the most competitive and innovative market in the world.
Additional
sources of information:
http://europa.eu/index_pl.htm
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pl/index.htm
http://libr.sejm.gov.pl/oide/
http://www.european-council.europa.eu
http://www.cy2012.eu
http://ec.europa.eu
http://curia.europa.eu
http://www.europarl.europa.eu
http://polskawue.gov.pl
I think that in general, creating the EU was a good idea. There always will be the opponents of the organisation who think that the members of EU will lose their national sovereignty. They are also compering EU to the Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteI'm more optimistic because it's actually visible how Poland has developed throughout last 8 years. I think we've gained more than lost.
There are many advantages of membership like having an access to the free trade zone or an access to the markets of all the countries in the EU.
But on the other hand the countries of EU are not free to enact any sort of laws that they want, which is something that sovereign countries are supposed to be able to do. So Poland can't close its borders to people from other countries in the EU.
Summing it up, EU is not perfect. But no organisation is. And we have to deal with it.
I agree that such organization was a good idea. Of course it doesn't solve all the problems European countries have, but it allows to regulate diplomatic and economic relations between them. I, personally, feel proud I am EU citizen. What's more I notice lots of benefits of that. Firstly - the Schengen Area. It so much more convenient to travel only with your ID and without standing in line on boarders. Secondly - the grants. I guess if it wasn't for them, Poland wouldn't have so many new investments, building, buses, roads and so on. What's more everyone can apply for grants if he wants to open new business or scientific project. All these things wouldn't be possible without EU.
ReplyDeleteAlthough more and more people seem to think that there's no future for EU, I try to stay positive.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I think that European Union is profitable for their members- the main rule relates to peace, help and uniting, but recession causes many “quarrels” and a lack of agreement. We can see classification into two groups- rich, highly developed states and poorer ones with various economic problems. When they don’t have some solutions, existence of European Union will be endangered.
I study physics and thanks UE I have extra lessons and grants and almost every day I see the building of a new campus. In my opinion, this is helpful for my faculty.
I also agree that creation of the European Union was a very good idea. It brings many benefits to countries which are its participants, for example some grants or amenities. I think that one person will not feel great difference, but when it regards to the whole nation it can be much more significant. People feel the difference especially when they go abroad. It is very useful to pay in the same currency. People can also travel without any limits inside the EU area. It's a great information for people who work in another country and they have to travel a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe second very important aspect is that thanks to it we can develope our countries and improve our skills taking part in programs such Erasmus.
There are so many advantages connected with it, but there always will be a group of people having a different view. The opponents will say that EU restrict their rights and even try to impose their rights.
We can see now that EU has a lot of problems and going through difficult time. But no one can predict its future.
The next challenge for EU is to survive at all. We can do that only in way of strengthen integration in economic and community sense. First one is almost obvious. Second means that European nations should realize, that their situation runs on situation of other countries. Now most of countries behave very selfishly, what cannot help in overcoming economic crisis. EU should find some idea to connect all of her members.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion idea of EU was good, but unfortunately union has chosen the wrong path, the path of bureaucracy and ridiculous rules, for example when EU decided that snail is a "land fish" and carrot is a fruit it sounds realy funny for me, but it shoudn't because it is sad rality of EU. From the other side I must said that without EU our industry and agriculture would develop slower, because we get huge grants from older members of union (actually from common Europen budet, but most money is from Germany, France, Luxemburg etc.). Nowadays I'm only hope that EU will survive global crisis, and create new better structures without that nonsenses rules which I was talking earlier.
ReplyDeleteDespite some negative opinions about European Union, I still think it was a very good idea to create such organisation. As a student I consider it to be very helpful- especially when it comes to exchange program during which young people can see different places, develop their language skills, gain important knowledge and meet new people. What's more, EU has implemented a lot of amenities for all people living in countries who are members of this union. I think one of the most important is the opportunity to travel without visas, because it saves time and money. And I also reckon that it was a good decision, made by Polish government, to become a part of EU.
ReplyDeleteThrought the years of its existance EU has been coming throu ups and downs and right now the global crisis has influenced some countries like Greece, Portugal or Spain. Everyday statements about the disintegration of EU could be heard. Euroscepticist are giving example of Norway or Switzerland, countries which don't belong to EU and their economy systems does well.
ReplyDeleteThat's all true, but in my opinion people ought to look at it throu the wider angle. ECSC had been estabilished after the Second WW and its aim was to simplify association beetwen founders countries. Until those days the purpose it's still the same. The orgainistation has developed therefore its structures are more elaborated.
EU had united the European countries and as a one, strong organization is a big player in world politics and economy.
In conclusion, as pervious speakers said I reckon that EU has lots of accomplishments and they are overshadowing all the disadventages.
I must write the same as everyone earlier - I also think that idea of creating European Union was great and that this was a huge step in history of our continent. We are now facing the problem of global economic crisis. The fact that EU would have a hard time during it and that there will appear few countries from 27 memebers of EU, which will have bigger problems than others (like Greece, Spain etc.) was unavoidable and this is obvious - as obvious as that there will immediately show up some radical critics of the whole organization. The time will tell us how we should judge EU, it all depends on how it will deal with this crisis. So far, there is nothing very strange in these troubles with e.g. Greece and, to be honest, not EU but Greeks are mainly responsible for their actual situation. To sum up I'm rather a supporter of the European Union, although I think that giving the Nobel Peace Prize to EU was a simmilar exaggeration as it was in case of Barack Obama.
ReplyDeleteCreation of EU was kind of an acumen. But it is controlled poorly, because of the fact that there are either strict regulations or using 'gentelmans agreement'. Because of that, many can abuse it. Same thing happened with socialism.
ReplyDeleteUnification of production, industrial development and specialisation within countries for general purpose, but still overall inside each country is, in my opinion, an ideal model. But, like I said. Many tend to abuse it. Of course there is some personal buisness, silly diplomatic gibberish and above all signs of 'nepotism' (quotation marks because I can't find better fitting synonym in regard of giving seats to people within party from whitch there was elected Parlamentarist).
Nobel Prize, in general, became a joke. I don't care about peace category, but what was intended to be honour for YOUNG researchers became parade of geriatric ward. At least in physics, economics and chemistry.
I think that European Union which is an international organization has both adventages and disadventages. Poland, as a member state of the EU has many opportunity for the occasion for example have funds to invest in infrastruture. Citizens EU have right to travel without visa. We can settle down in other country which is a member of this organization. Created European Union met with a group of oppnents. Some of them criticize the proceedings taking place in the organization. On of the disadvantage it is excessive bureaucracy that also criticized of the oppnents.
ReplyDeleteI think the European Union is excellent formation because it provides a free Europ from wars. EU opened borders so it is amazing that now I with my friends can go to France without any passport only ID card. It is obvious EU hasn't got only positives. The declarations which "Poland" had to sign what probably limited our freedom is the one of the many disadvantages of being in EU. I think where is thick with difference (countries and their needs) there is large probability on conflict.
ReplyDeleteThe European Union is in the news a great deal these days, mostly for reasons that cause the citizens and governments of the member countries grave concern. There are many advantages: free movement between member countries, rationalization of large part of law, and proceeding. For "Eurozone" members a common currency and also massive reduction in the possibility of war between member countries. Thanks to EU we have many Museums- the culture life is developed. Moreover, we could organized EURO 2012 and built a National Stadium which is one of the well known card of Poland.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the creation of such organization as the European Union was a good idea. Of course, it is not a solution for all the problems, but still provides a co-operation between countries in Europe. Such projects will always have its supporters and opponents, but I think that the EU has done a lot of good.Thanks to it Europe is more open for people. People have more choices. We can travel without visas or passports, work in different countries etc. For me European Union is something good.
ReplyDeleteEuropean Union have a lot of advantages and disadvantages.
ReplyDeleteNow days union is in the big crisis, a lot of countries in union have a economical problems Italy, Greece Spain.
In we have the pillars that hold it, one example of it is a Germany the biggest economy in Europe, The want rescue the monetary system, but we don't know what will happen in the future with union, maybe destroy or stabilization.
The creation of union was an great idea, and despite the all negative effects, such as different kinds of constraints it gives us more opportunity to develop in different areas .For examples students have opportunity to do studies in other countries, job seekers also can apply for a job or it is just a lot easier to travel today.
ReplyDeleteEconomic crisis has a negative impact on the functioning of the European Union but it must be overcome and we should believe that it is a great idea and positive development of Poland
I thing that the EU is very good organization. Thanks to EU it is possible to strengthen relations between the countries and build economy. There are possible great research project like a space exploration (ESA)or The Large Hadron Collider in CERN laboratory. It also good for people who want to travel to every country which belong to EU without passport. There is also a lot of work for people in foreign country and now it is no problem to get a job abroad.
ReplyDeleteI think that European Union was ine of the best idea in post-war Europe. But I think that EU should become something like USA in the nearset futhure to make the union stronger. Of course it will be difficult because people think that without countries we have to lose our identity, but I don't think so. In my opinion it is unavoidable and it will give us more and more benefits.
ReplyDeleteI think that joining EU was a good choice. It provided a lot of money for agricultural and educational acts and reforms. Frankly speaking, I can't imagine how chaotic Polish government would be, without the EU's policy, forcing some changes every now and then. Besides, I got the feeling that becoming a member, we really got closer to the other European countries. And I absolutely love the idea of travelling without passports and so many border controls - it makes things much easier and faster.
ReplyDeleteI think (as Justyna said) that traveling without passports it is good idea, but.. if I good remember it isn't depend of EU but it is Schengen Agreement and countries outside EU can be in Schengen (Norway, Switzerland).
ReplyDeleteI don't read a lot of about European Union activity, but this what I can see in my normal life is very positive. Union give money for a huge number of projects for young people! This is great idea!
Some People said that over time we get lost identity. we won't be poles but european. I think it isn't possible.
European Union is a good formation but anyway we have to look after our own customs and culture. I think it is nothing but in countries and variety specially when there is no border around. I feel good in Europe more connected. It is important for me what happens in Portugal, Greece and other countries and it is great that we can get legal work out side Poland.
ReplyDeleteI think that European Union is a good idea with some negatives. The main of disadvantages is big crisis, that break european economy. The common currency causes rising up of inflation. It hasn't exchange differences in connection with this, countries hasn't money. However EU is organization which give money for new small enterpreneurs and drive the local market.
ReplyDeleteEuropean Union was the best offer Poland could get form other countries. Of course - there was, there are and there will be some issues but nothing is perfect. We can't complain about what European Union caused to our economy because without European Union Polish economy would be far worse than it's now and no one would help us if we refused joining European Union.
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