posted
What is the benefit of the EU? I saw a special that was anit-Spain EU. The reporter said that Spain took as much money from the EU that London put into the EU. The reporter was very agitated that Spain's tomatoes were subsidized and then the Spaniards had the big tomato fight.
I am not familiar with that part of the world at all. What direction is money flowing with the 10 new countries in the EU and who all benefits and why?
I would like to hear some opinions here of people who live over there.
Posts: 1034 | Registered: Mar 2004
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The benefit is that of one strong economy, instead of plenty of weaker ones. The EU means free movement of goods and services, an open, competetive market.
Now, about the money-flow. Apart from other things (like the customs duty), EU's budget is financed from the member countries' fees. A very large percentage of this money is directed towards agriculture and structural funds. The money goes to the poorest areas of the EU. With the accession of 10 new countries, which are worse off economically than the older members, the money will have to be divided between more states. The poorer areas of "Old Europe", such as Spain, Portugal etc will not get as much as they used to. Then again, the 10 new countries will have to open up their markets for the EU products, and will not be allowed to favour their own products over European.
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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