May Day and the expanding EU

[Ugg]

This May Day will usher in the largest expansion of the EU to date. 10 countries will be joining the existing 15 to create a bloc of 25 with a total population of 455 million. The BBC has a good overview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/europe/04/enlarging_europe/html/introduction.stm) of the new countries as well as information about the old members and the second wave of former Soviet bloc countries that are waiting in the wings.

The EU faces a lot of challenges but this is the most significant political development in Europe since the fall of the wall. Old enemies are coming together politically (eventually, it is hoped!), economically (a part of northwestern Germany has become a bedroom community for Dutch seeking affordable housing), and socially with many younger people migrating to look for work.

Is it going to work?

[Sayhey]

The expansion to 25 members is enormous in its impact to the world. As a trading bloc the EU now is larger than the US. The standards set by the EU for basic rights of its citizens is unbelievable. All of this in a region that sixty years ago ways the spawning ground of disastrous wars. Will it work? I don't know, but it's a tremendous step forward, done through a peaceful and voluntary process, from which nations throughout the world can learn lessons.

I understand Bulgaria and Rumania are scheduled for membership in 2007 (with rumblings that Croatia may also join at the same time.) If the hurdles of the new Constitution and the Euro can successfully be crossed the potential of the EU as an economic and diplomatic power could rival the US in relative short order. Perhaps that explains the Bush administration's attempts to stop the adoption of the Constitution.

For those who really want to know more about the EU check out its web site at europa.eu.int (http://europa.eu.int/)