The EU (and Turkey)

[UK]

To all (or the few) European countries. Should Turkey join the EU?

I am definitely all for it.
Mostly because of the economy benefits, trade and links to the Middle East.
Cameron angry at negotiations for Turkey

[Russia]

The EU is a corrupt and undemocratic institution. It's driven Greece to economic collapse, Spain and Italy are in trouble and Portugal is on the brink. The Eurozone is being tested for the first time and it is not passing. The sooner that the whole thing's dissolved, the better.

[UK]

You're just saying that because you probably wouldn't be allowed to join if you did ask. So hah.

The problems are starting to get slightly better, and Greece has been given a massive bail-out from various countries. Joining the EU is not a problem, but it's good not to get too involved with it. Sweden and I are perfectly fine, mainly because we kept our own currencies and not taken the Euro.

[Russia]

Well, that's just it. The Euro causes problems. Why should the nations of Europe have to bail out Greece anyway? And another thing - there's a President of Europe. Herman van Rumpoy (sp?). Who voted for him? Who is he accountable to? And what mechanism do the free people of Europe have to remove him?

[UK]

Herman Van Rompuy (One letter, so who cares?) was elected, but his main role is to chair summits and organise the meetings. It's the country leaders who matter more. And, to be honest, there are three presidents of the EU. Van Rompuy, who is the European Council President, then there is a European Commisioner and then there's the leader of the country who's turn it is to hold the presidency. So the people have the power to choose their country leader, and the country leaders have power to get rid of the commisioner and council president.

[Russia]

I'm glad that you mentioned the commission. Let's have a look at some of the members.

Jacques Barrot, from France. He recieved a suspended jail sentence for his involvement in an embezzlement case and subsequently banned from holding public office for two years.

László Kovács, from Hungary. A close ally of the former dictator Kadar.

Siim Kallas, from Estonia. He was one of my apparatchiks for twenty years. What do you think he's trying with you lot? Convicted for providing false information - and he's in charge of the fraud committee.

Your own Peter Mandelson, who was twice removed from the British Government.

Neelie Kroes from the Netherlands, accused of lying to the European Parliament.

These are the sort of people you wouldn't buy a used car from. And they're in charge of the Commission, the embodiment of all that is worst in the European Union, which is destroying European businesses, and which is not directly accountable to anyone, and which also forced through the Lisbon Treaty, even though the people said no.

[UK]

And then your leader's party are incredibly wealth (barring Putin, if the rumours are true) whilst many of your people are almost destitute. At least most European people aren't living in terrible states while the leaders are well off.

((Haha. You see how little I know and care of the EU here ))

[Russia]

Yes they are, they're living under capitalism.

[UK]

Where those that aren't as well off get help from the government. What happens to your people if they're poor and need help?

[Russia]

The government helps them, of course.

[UK]

How?

[Russia]

By finding them work. There is always a need for extra labour in socialist nations.

[UK]

So, they don't get benefits until they can find work, for example?

((Quick question, you do have free health care, don't you?))

[Russia]

Hmm... sort of.

((ooc: Yes, I'm British.))

[UK]

Sort of?

((Haha, so am I. I meant, do Russia have free health care, since I'm a lazy sod that can't be bothered to google it ))