And This Is Why We Joined EU
“The Polish problem is a European problem. The Lithuanian and Estonian problems are also EU problems. It is very important if you want to have close co-operation to understand that the EU is based on principles of solidarity.”
– Jose Manuel Barroso
European Commission chief May 18, 2007. source.
May 25th, 2007 at 15.46
Sveiki Alex
Putin is not interested in “close co-operation” with the EU, but Russia would-and does-certainly deal with many nations in Europe.
Barroso’s words are nothing more than empty rhetoric and the EU an experiment gone horribly wrong, though doomed from its onset.
NATO membership is what counts. To hell with the “post-democratic” anti-American despots in Brussels.
May 25th, 2007 at 20.08
The EU certainly has its shortcomings, but it is far from being “an experiment gone horribly wrong”. Sure it needs to show backbone in its dealings with Russia, just like the USA needs to show backbone in its dealings with China.
I do agree with you, if the Baltics are looking for protection, NATO is it, but NATO sure took their time before putting forward a reaction in the recent Tallinn riots. The EU also waded in, which is a good sign even though it is mostly an economic alliance. It tries to be a political alliance, and that is where it fails miserably.
May 26th, 2007 at 3.39
I don’t think it’s the question of what organization offers better protection — EU or NATO. I see NATO as a strictly military organization. I see it as an organization that ought to be able to protect Baltic States in care of military attacks. Chances of military attacks from Russia in the next few years are slim in my opinion. Russia has learned to manipulate the West though economic means as one of the largest suppliers of gas to European market.
This is why I think riots in Tallinn, Russia’s rhetoric against Estonia are the EU prerogative. If we share a common market, if we soon to share a common foreign policy, if we are one Europe, we ought to stand together in the face of our Eastern neighbor.
August 7th, 2008 at 9.55
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