NationStates Jolt Archive

Since there has been so much discussion going on about a possible crisis within the EU after the proposed European Constituation was voted down in France, I thought you might be interested to find that Switzerland seems to be approaching the EU gradually

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4612281.stm


Swiss voters have approved closer ties with the European Union, by agreeing to join the EU's Schengen and Dublin agreements.

The decision means Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, will open its borders, and become part of Europe's passport free zone.

The Swiss authorities will also share information with their EU colleagues on crime, and on asylum applications.

The "Yes" vote is a relief for the Swiss government, which wants closer integration with the EU. ...

Can't be all bad on the continent, then, can it?

Nope, it's not all that bad. Some people are just in panic over the fact that the Dutch and the French refused the constitution and now frantically believe the EU is on the way down. That's not the case. I'm sure the EU will eventually learn from this setback.

Regarding Switzerland... who knows... i think it's unrealistic that they will join EU any time soon, but it's equally unrealistic for them to persist their 'neutrality'.

Nope, it's not all that bad. Some people are just in panic over the fact that the Dutch and the French refused the constitution and now frantically believe the EU is on the way down. That's not the case. I'm sure the EU will eventually learn from this setback.

Regarding Switzerland... who knows... i think it's unrealistic that they will join EU any time soon, but it's equally unrealistic for them to persist their 'neutrality'.

I don't know, it's kind of a typically Swiss approach to the rest of the world.
"Let's see if it's working, first of all. Hmm, it seems ok... let's try a bit. But don't get involved to far, in case there's a setback. So, that works nicely, let's try another bit..."
No, not anytime soon. I think they'll get there eventually, the Swiss are cautious and patient. It might take a few years... or decades. ;)

Oh I don't know, if the Swiss join the EU, they'll have to give up most of their dodgy banking practices and hand back all that lovely Nazi gold they've been hanging onto for the last 60 years... ;-)

Regarding Switzerland... who knows... i think it's unrealistic that they will join EU any time soon, but it's equally unrealistic for them to persist their 'neutrality'.
what's wrong with switzerland remaining neutral? Not fighting in wars, shock horror call the un. I like visiting switzerland and not having to use the euro. Swiss fancs are way better.

Oh I don't know, if the Swiss join the EU, they'll have to give up most of their dodgy banking practices and hand back all that lovely Nazi gold they've been hanging onto for the last 60 years... ;-)

They won't have to give up any banking practices, the law that keeps bank accounts secret is not under EU law

Since there has been so much discussion going on about a possible crisis within the EU after the proposed European Constituation was voted down in France, I thought you might be interested to find that Switzerland seems to be approaching the EU gradually

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4612281.stm



Can't be all bad on the continent, then, can it?
I really don't get that viewpoint(no to constitution=no to Europe). It was a pathetic constitution of no value to the citizens of Europe, so obviously we voted against it. I really don't see how rejection of bad legislation equates as rejection of the entirety of the EU.

Well if they join the Euro expect mass emigration as the damn place is soooooo expensive!!!

30€ for a meal thats just crazy talk...

I really don't get that viewpoint(no to constitution=no to Europe). It was a pathetic constitution of no value to the citizens of Europe, so obviously we voted against it. I really don't see how rejection of bad legislation equates as rejection of the entirety of the EU.

Agreed, all thats going to happen is they are going to either make ammendments to the constitution and try another vote or they will go back to the drawing board and come up with something else.

Like Foxhunting, Foundation hospitals, Topup fees. Please note these were British legislations not EU

Is this right? The basic idea behind the E.U. is form an economic superpower to rival the U.S.A., as well as China, India et. al . Doesn't that mean that there will be in place a Huge bureaucratic machine in place to deal with standardising of everything from soup to nuts, as well as the Euro,which from what i've read not everybody is accepting of? This is going to mean a huge sacrifice on some countries part ,read, Britain, France, Germany to accept their economic inferiors. Caution, bumpy road ahead :rolleyes: Isn't the tendency now to unform rather then form?

what's wrong with switzerland remaining neutral? Not fighting in wars, shock horror call the un. I like visiting switzerland and not having to use the euro. Swiss fancs are way better.

What's wrong with it? In theory nothing, but in the conext of the present-day world it's practically no longer feasible. You know... stuff like nation-states going downhill, multinational corporations and international terrorism... the model of Switzerland doesn't have any real future.

Well if they join the Euro expect mass emigration as the damn place is soooooo expensive!!!

30€ for a meal thats just crazy talk...

If we are talking starter, main course and a few drinks €30 = about £20 which is a reasonable price

Is this right? The basic idea behind the E.U. is form an economic superpower to rival the U.S.A., as well as China, India et. al . Doesn't that mean that there will be in place a Huge bureaucratic machine in place to deal with standardising of everything from soup to nuts, as well as the Euro,which from what i've read not everybody is accepting of? This is going to mean a huge sacrifice on some countries part ,read, Britain, France, Germany to accept their economic inferiors. Caution, bumpy road ahead :rolleyes: Isn't the tendency now to unform rather then form?

More likely that we will form a two tier Europe where the west take advantage of the east to keep their economies good and the east will have more foreign investment, improving their economy at a slower rate

More likely that we will form a two tier Europe where the west take advantage of the east to keep their economies good and the east will have more foreign investment, improving their economy at a slower rate

I don't think it will be happening that way. France, Germany and the UK are going downhill. In 20 years or so, eastern Europe will be the powerhouse of the EU.

What's wrong with it? In theory nothing, but in the conext of the present-day world it's practically no longer feasible. You know... stuff like nation-states going downhill, multinational corporations and international terrorism... the model of Switzerland doesn't have any real future.
Are you saying military neutrality is disfunctional or are you saying that isolationism is disfunctional?

Is this right? The basic idea behind the E.U. is form an economic superpower to rival the U.S.A., as well as China, India et. al . Doesn't that mean that there will be in place a Huge bureaucratic machine in place to deal with standardising of everything from soup to nuts, as well as the Euro,which from what i've read not everybody is accepting of? This is going to mean a huge sacrifice on some countries part ,read, Britain, France, Germany to accept their economic inferiors. Caution, bumpy road ahead Isn't the tendency now to unform rather then form?
The biggest problem with the Euro is that they want to give full autonomy to the European Central Bank. So the economy of Europe would be controlled by a group of people who are in no way accountable to anyone. You know where else this has happened?
America.
Right before the Wall Street Crash.

What's wrong with it? In theory nothing, but in the conext of the present-day world it's practically no longer feasible. You know... stuff like nation-states going downhill, multinational corporations and international terrorism... the model of Switzerland doesn't have any real future.
if someone attacks them theyll do something, but i don't see switzerland as a terrorist target.

if someone attacks them theyll do something, but i don't see switzerland as a terrorist target.

To quote a well-known US president: "If you are not my ally, you are my enemy..." :D

If we are talking starter, main course and a few drinks €30 = about £20 which is a reasonable price

Main course and 1 drink at one resteraunt I went to.

I live next to Lake Constance, so i go to Switzerland fairly often, but its so expensive I pay a little more for the train and go to Austria :D

I don't think it will be happening that way. France, Germany and the UK are going downhill. In 20 years or so, eastern Europe will be the powerhouse of the EU.

Well France and Germany certainly don't see it that way as they are the major supporters of the 2 tier EU concept. How might I ask are they "going downhill"? Economically, politically or socially?

Another problem with the east becoming the powerhouse of the EU, mainly being population, populatuion controls the number of votes a country is entitled to and as the UK, Germany and France have almost a third of the vote alone

Main course and 1 drink at one resteraunt I went to.

I live next to Lake Constance, so i go to Switzerland fairly often, but its so expensive I pay a little more for the train and go to Austria :D

ok then I agree. was it any good?

ok then I agree. was it any good?

Was ok, nothing to write home about, i dread to think how much the fashionable resteraunts cost!

But, on the border between Switzerland and Austria (near St.Gallen), at one crossing as soon as you cross into Austria, there are like 3 Chinese take aways :D And they accept swiss francs...hmmmm...wonder what market they are playing! :D

Was ok, nothing to write home about, i dread to think how much the fashionable resteraunts cost!

But, on the border between Switzerland and Austria (near St.Gallen), at one crossing as soon as you cross into Austria, there are like 3 Chinese take aways :D And they accept swiss francs...hmmmm...wonder what market they are playing! :D

I could only wonder ;)