Discussion Forum
(I mentioned this at the bottom of my last post, but just so everyone sees it):
Introducing: the EU Discussion Forum!
One other way to participate in the blog is to comment on the “discussion forum” (one of the tabs to the right, or click on the hyperlink), where delegates can post questions, concerns, etc. that can be answered by other delegates and/or the chairs - remember to keep it professional though. Post away!
-Danielle
January 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hello fellow Delegates! I am the head of state of Slovakia and I am looking forward to working with all the European Union representatives. It has come to my attention that the EU has provided financial assistance to many countries trying to enter the EU. I would just like everyone to remember that Turkey still has not given many fundamental human rights to minority groups living within Turkey’s boarders. Let’s all remember that entering the EU is a privilege and not a right, and if ANY country wishes to join they must provide rights to all citizens.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Delegates,
Bulgaria would like to thank all for your inclusion of our state into the European Union. Membership has given us a chance to grow and prosper economically, politically, and militarily. In regards to Turkey, while we are quite aware of and sympathetic to any nation seeking vitality and growth, we find it important to remind the Union of its devotion to current member states. Enlargement may jeopardize economic ties; furthermore, the European Union need not worry about Middle-Eastern, African, or Asian nations.
Additionally, if any delegate is planning a family vacation, Bulgaria is very tourist-friendly, being rife with beaches, restaurants, and nightlife (a good portion of our GDP is influenced by tourism, so thanks)!
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Thank you Slovakia and Bulagria for your input. Delegates, we need comments! Post post post!
February 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hello fellow delegates! Slovakia would like to bring to everyone’s attention the recent (published Feb. 4, 2008 by the UN Wire) warning of sanctions against Romania and Bulgaria. These warnings are the result of recent failures by both of these countries in terms of reforming crime and corruption. The problem is not that there is nothing being done; the problem lies in the fact that anything being done is being done to slowly. Mark Gray, a European Commission spokesperson stated, “Overall, the commission is concerned over the pace of reforms; public confidence needs to be strengthened.” Slovakia commends the response by Prim Minister Sergei Stanishev of Bulgaria who said that the report was fair and that the country is working on accelerating all efforts to fight crime and corruption. Romania made a similar comment.
Slovakia would just like to point out that as one of the weaker countries in the EU it is sometimes difficult to be at the standard of other prominent countries such as France, the UK, or the Netherlands therefore we believe that both Romania and Bulgaria should have additional time and aid in fighting crime and corruption. Instead of wasting precious resources and time on the issue of enlargement we should focus on helping the “baby” countries currently part of the EU in terms of improving their economic and social standing. We must all walk before we can run; these are the first steps Bulgaria and Romania are taking in order to rise as a country. In conclusion both of these countries should be given additional time and aid to become a more democratic nation, thus ending the high levels of crime and corruption.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
In the area of enlargement, the pending admission of Turkey into the European Union arises some concern. Turkey’s inner struggles with Kurdish forces are alarming and may be detrimental to the other states within the EU. While the nation of Turkey has made considerable improvements in securing additional civil liberties upon its citizens, Germany believes that now is not the time for its accession and would like to evaluate Turkey once more at a later time once it can prove its own stability and full freedom of its citizens. Germany has offered privileged partner status to Turkey, although it was fervently rejected by the Turkish government. Seeing the firm refusal of such an offer from a prominent EU member state, further negotiations appear rather unpromising. Despite visible reform within the Turkish state, Germany feels that its accession provides quite a hefty risk which should not be taken at this time.
Macedonia is a far smaller nation, although its people still enjoy less freedom. Similarly to Turkey, Germany expresses some hesitation given the violence witnessed as a result of the 2006 parliamentary elections and Albanian protest, as well as the arrest of several clerics for ties with the Serbian Orthodox Church. Such restrictions on religious freedom as well as evident corruption within the government strike sizeable suspicion, and Germany urges the suspension of further consideration until Macedonia installs necessary reform.
On the other hand, Germany would endorse the addition of Croatia to the European Union; Croatia has a stable market economy and grants considerably greater freedoms to its civilians than Turkey and Macedonia. Also, Croatia is indisputably located within the continent of Europe, as is Macedonia. In 2006, Croatia implemented the necessary reforms required in order to receive full membership in the European Union, and should succeed in its accession.
Given the delicate economy of Europe united through the Euro, it must be assured that prospective members should have a stable economy and administration. At this time, nations such as Turkey and Macedonia pose some threat given the tendency for internal violence and instability, and until they may prove themselves as cooperating and tolerant nations, their pending membership should be suspended. The European Union prides itself in the religious and cultural tolerance, and therefore each of its members must uphold these values within their own borders. Germany believes that Croatia shows a great deal of promise in these areas, while Turkey and Macedonia must be given more time to prove themselves.
Regarding crime and corruption in existing member states, Germany does approve of extensions in eradicating these issues although must insist that the involved nations must efficiently work to eradicate these problems. Corruption should be easily rid of within the government; Germany prides itself in being absolutely corruption free and feels that any nation has the ability to do the same. Crime is a more pressing and difficult matter, however, and must be dealt with in context. Usually, it is found that crime is apparent when the people of a nation are unhappy and/or displeased, and Germany urges the affected nations to keep working in the peoples’ best interest as well as maintaining an effective police force. Above all, we must ensure the safety of our citizens.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Half of that was from my position paper - definitely didn’t type all of that out just now.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Yes, Germany you are correct on the account that Croatia will be a positive addition to the EU. Slovakia believes that talks with Turkey should be kept open in order to guide the government on mending issues the EU would like to see fixed.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
We must also remember that we as a European Union has standards and goals set for members we are discussing for admittance. We must hold Turkey to these standards too when we discuss their admittance.