European Union

The topic that I have chosen is European Union. EU is a union of fifteen independent states based on the European Communities and founded to enhase political, economic and social co-operation. It was created after World War II to unite the nations of Europe. Fifteen countries are members of the EU, and some 370 million people share the common institutions and policies.

The headquarters of the EU are in Brusels. About 1,500 people work there. The most important of tthem are the President of Commission Romano Prodi and fourteen commisioners. They are in office for four years and they are responsible to the European parliament, which accepts and rejects their ideas. The European Parliament is composed of 626 members, directly elected to five- year terms.

More than 130 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the EU, and the EU has over 100 delegations around the world. The EU maintains special trade and aid relationships with many developing countries. It wworks hard to promote Europen business, industry and free trade. EU’s decisions and laws affect education, employment, energy, the enviroment, foreign aid, and human rights, medical and scientific research and the transport.

EU encourages Lithuania to pursue and speed up tthe process of privatisation and the restructuring of the energy sector; notes that the process of restructuring and modernisation has been accompanied by a sharp rise in unemployment, encourages Lithuania to complete the reform of agriculture in a consistent fashion, paying special attention to the issue of modernisation in farming sector and in building up administrative structures in this area not least in order to make possible the reception and effective use of EU aid

One of the requirements for Lithuania to enter the EU is to close Ignalina nuclear Power Plant. The government decided to shut down Unit 2 of the plant by 2009. This decision was included in the declaration that was anounced during a meeting between Lithuania and EEU. The EU represents a desire for peace and cooperation among sovereign European states. Integration into EU is regarded as oppportunity to shape the country’s future in line with the most advanced living and working standards of member states.

The decision of Lithuania to apply for EU membership has been driven primarily by the inherent historical and cultural gravitation of the Baltic nations in Europe’s development. Lithuania is undertaking profound reforms with the aim of strengthening its market economy. The EEU is a model for democratic, economic and social reforms in Lithuania. It will open up avenues to European markets for Lithuania products and services, which are gradually becoming more competetive. It will allow better use of the intellectual potential of the Lithuanian people.

I support co-operation between European countries. But I am convinced that each country should keep its basic independence. If Europe had one language and culture in my oppinion it would not be the best. We are friend and allies, but there’s no point pretending we are the same.

I hope Lithuania will do its best to contribute to the enlargement of the EU and will certainly show its responsibility being in international community.