What others said on European Issues.
The UK is now missing out on a major opportunity to embrace and lead one of the largest economic blocks in the world. The UK could afford a much larger role in the EU than it ever could in a union with the US, considering its much smaller size and wealth. (Not to mention ridiculous proximity) If I had my choice, I would withdraw Canada from the NAFTA and join the EU in a second.
Christopher Sullivan, Canada
Living in America but with a number of European friends, I have to say that I have more in common with Europeans than Americans. Most people don't look beyond the language issue, hence the willingness to become the '51st State' and the reluctance for European integration.
Ed Bayley, USA (English)
This country and others within the EU are going to be bled dry by those smaller poorer countries wishing to join. We are having trouble sustaining our own social services without having to pay for others as well. Have any of the major countries in Europe actually asked the people what their views are? Or are all the politicians too scared of what they are likely to hear?
Sue, UK
Interesting how Prodi and Kinnock think that we are on our way to a EU superstate yet Blair tells us this is not so. Either Blair is blatantly lying to the British public, to whom he owes everything, or he has not got a clue about what the EU is about.
Greg, British (Not European)
I find it almost laughable that people would insist that UK citizens
have more in common with Europe than the US, New Zealand or Australia.
As an American I assure you that this is not so, and we see that difference every day. Our relationship
with the UK is significantly more important to us than our relationship with the rest of Europe combined.
Jim Willits, USA
I could not disagree more with Fiona Garratt's comment: "British culture is much more similar to the continentals than the Americans". I keep hearing this sort of comment from people whose experience of Europe is a few days now and again on holidays or cross-channel shopping trips. It is a lot different when you live in Europe like I do (and can't wait to get back home). I am British, living in Switzerland, and my view is that Europe and the Europeans are charming because of their difference to the British. I certainly DO NOT WANT to become the 51st state of the USA, but if I was forced into a choice between joining another English-speaking culture, and a 'United States of Europe', then I would choose America every time.
Anthony Faulkner, Switzerland (British)
To Ronald Vopel, Belgium: Because we may like you as friends and
neighbours, but you're not our kith and kin. We have more in common
(language, law, government, history, culture, traditions, and even
family connections) with Americans, Australians, Canadians and New
Zealanders than we do with Europeans, with whom we share nothing but
geography. We don't think lesser of "you" ... we just don't want to move in!
Mark M. Newdick, USA/U
It's a good sign - European leaders have demonstrated how to reach an agreement despite their conflicting interests. This could and should be an example of how to successfully lay down the strategic foundations for a common European policy on top of particular, inherently conflicting ideas. I believe that only a strong united Europe can successfully compete on today's global market - Airbus and ESA have proved this right.
Jacek, Poland
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