(WALIGAA DHURWAAYO MA LAGAAGA SHEEKEEYAY?) Experts claim that the European Union will collapse like the Soviet Union. The French nationalist leader, Marine Le Pen, has referred to the European Union as a global anomaly beyond repair, while the populations of EU recently admitted EU member-states are increasingly nostalgic for the days of socialism. So, what’s in store for the main geopolitical project of the second half of the 20th century? Experts come up with all sorts of scenarios to that end. Is the EU close to break-up? According to Marine Le Pen, the population of Europe is no longer capable of controlling their own currency or economy, as well as the movement of people within their territory. She feels that once the EU ceases to exist, Europe will enter a period of renaissance and prosperity. The French politician’s dismal outlook is shared both by EU residents and people outside the European Union. Turkey, which Brussels has recently invited to resume talks on joining the EU, has almost lost interest in its once much desired integration with the European Union. Three quarters of Turks wanted accession to the EU in the past as against a mere 20% today. Turkey’s Vice-Prime Minister Bulent Arinc says the change of heart has been prompted by the irresponsible stand taken by European countries, which keep erecting barriers and try to question Turkey whenever they believe it necessary. The political circles are increasingly Euro-sceptic in what is an utterly destructive trend, says an expert with the Centre for Situation Analysis, Sergei Utkin. This is actually playing on voters’ discontent, and some voters are always discontent, above all, amid the ongoing economic crisis, Sergei Utkin says. Now, the Turkish leadership has long since decided Turkey should claim the status of a regional leader. Such a leader does not necessarily have to take part in larger-scale integration processes. But then, there are apprehensions that Turkey is overrating its potential. Experts believe that besides a negative and positive scenario for the EU, that is either a break-up or prospering, there is yet another path to follow, namely the EU members will adopt a pragmatic stand on the mechanisms of EU functioning and accrue benefits in keeping with their ideas of what is a united Europe. The EU plans to further enlarge through the inclusion of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Montenegro. But then, all these countries sought EU membership last year, too, so there is no reason why their status should change in the near future, basically because their legislation has not been harmonized with common EU standards. Also, Iceland has recently said it will hold over a decision on integration for some time. In short, the situation clearly calls for consideration being given to updating the European Union, says, head of the Centre for German Studies at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladislav Belov. There are both political and economic problems to address, Vladislav Belov says, but these form the basis for further development, since any crisis situation results in quality renovations. There are no fundamental reasons for member-states to pull out of the European Union in the next 10 to 15 years. But I would advise the EU against granting membership rights to more countries, since the structure is already too complex, Vladislav Belov says. The European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, has repeatedly pointed out that ultra-right politicians are increasingly popular in EU countries, which he sees as a source of danger, for the situation that’s taken shape will clearly affect the results of the forthcoming election to the European Parliament. Van Rompuy is certain that the election will prove to be a trying experience, since Europeans will see not just political battles on a personal level, but a stronger alliance of Euro-sceptics, seeking to play the role of EU grave-diggers. Read more: voiceofrussia/2013_10_19/Is-the-EU-close-to-breaking-up-5763/ voiceofrussia/2013_10_19/Is-the-EU-close-to-breaking-up-5763/
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 10:25:10 +0000
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