The new EU budget

[TB]

What do you think about the new 7-year budget? Is this easing the constitutional crisis? And finally what do you think about the British rebate?

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/12/16/eu.budget.ap/index.html

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I was never going to be happy with this as there was never a hope in hell that the CAP would be reformed... but overall it's good that they finally passed *something* and that reform is actually a possibilty now (even if it is in the long term).

[Democratic Hawk]

I'm pleased that French and Italian contributions will rise by 116% and 130%, respectively. Jury's still out as to my views on conceeding some of our rebate. I'm all for reaching an agreement but not capitulation on our part

Dave

[Јas]

I was quite surprised to see agreement reached, I thought Blair would stand stronger on the rebate until something more concrete regarding CAP had been agreed to. BTW  I don't think it has any effect on the 'constitutional crisis' whatsoever.

[Bono]

Down with Blair.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Down with Blair.

Y'now, if he were to resign *now*, he'd probably be replaced with Gordon Brown. And methinks you'd like that even less

[Bono]

Down with Blair.

Y'now, if he were to resign *now*, he'd probably be replaced with Gordon Brown. And methinks you'd like that even less

He's more euroskeptic, isn't he?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

He's more euroskeptic, isn't he?

Yes. And no. At the same time. He was much more suspicious of the Euro than Blair though (publically at any rate).

[Bono]

He's more euroskeptic, isn't he?

Yes. And no. At the same time. He was much more suspicious of the Euro than Blair though (publically at any rate).

Care to elaborate?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Care to elaborate?

Publically (this is back in the '90's, btw) Blair was always seen as being in favour of joining the Euro; Brown on the other hand was always somewhat dubious of the idea and made it very clear that he wasn't going to let Britain sign up unless five economic tests (can't remember what they were) were met. IIRC critics saw this as an attempt to sweep the whole debate under the carpet; which is more or less what happend.

[Bono]

Care to elaborate?

Publically (this is back in the '90's, btw) Blair was always seen as being in favour of joining the Euro; Brown on the other hand was always somewhat dubious of the idea and made it very clear that he wasn't going to let Britain sign up unless five economic tests (can't remember what they were) were met. IIRC critics saw this as an attempt to sweep the whole debate under the carpet; which is more or less what happend.

Not that. I already knew.
The yes and no part.

[TB]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

[Bono]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

[TB]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

First of all no!! I live in Europe and I am very much for the EU. Why do you think I hate Europeans?

[Bono]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

First of all no!! I live in Europe and I am very much for the EU. Why do you think I hate Europeans?

YOu want us to live under the iron fist of the Fourth Reich.

[TB]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

YOu want us to live under the iron fist of the Fourth Reich.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

First of all no!! I live in Europe and I am very much for the EU. Why do you think I hate Europeans?

Well, then please explain how I'm expressing my hatred here.

[Jens]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

YOu want us to live under the iron fist of the Fourth Reich.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

First of all no!! I live in Europe and I am very much for the EU. Why do you think I hate Europeans?

Well, then please explain how I'm expressing my hatred here.

Never mind Bono. He hates anybody that has even a little bit of sympathy for the European Union - and by the way, it's either Das Vierte Reich or the Fourth Empire

[Bono]

I guess Blair is in a real pain. He’d lost no matter the outcome. I don’t think the British are giving up their rebate, so a removal of it would mean trouble at home, on the other hand the current agreement is simply unacceptable for the rest of Europe, so a steadfast Blair would become even more unpopular in the Anglo-skeptic Europe, and I must admit that I do understand the bitter feeling that the eastern European countries must have.

I think it is time to cut away the rebate. We all know that the British economy is doing better than the EU average, and it is time to put the last bit of isolationism behind. However I also realize that a drawback of the rebate would have to be over a longer period of time, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. Having said that the French will also have to give up the agricultural subsidies in the near future. Once again my respect goes to Germany and their willing to move the common European cause forward. I think Merkel has done a pretty good job so far on the European scene, at least from a non-German view. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Germans felt that they are paying too much on behalf of some irresponsible neighbors.

YOu want us to live under the iron fist of the Fourth Reich.

You really hate us europeans don't you?

First of all no!! I live in Europe and I am very much for the EU. Why do you think I hate Europeans?

Well, then please explain how I'm expressing my hatred here.

Never mind Bono. He hates anybody that has even a little bit of sympathy for the European Union - and by the way, it's either Das Vierte Reich or the Fourth Empire

Ah, I don't hate (most) of them, even becuase i never met most of them.
and anyways, I was just saying it in jest.

[Јas]

He's more euroskeptic, isn't he?

Yes. And no. At the same time.