The end of EU unity.

[Dubh the dark]

An interesting story emerged recently which highlights the growing split between EU Nations;

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle has irked some of his EU colleagues by inviting only a select few to a dinner on Tuesday (20 March) to discuss the 'future of Europe' after the economic crisis.

The meeting does not appear on the official website of the German foreign ministry as it is meant to be an informal event at the Villa Borsig, north of Berlin. Invited were the foreign ministers of France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Portugal and Spain.

But by leaving out 17 of the EU's 27 states, Westerwelle has stepped on the toes of some of his colleagues.

A diplomat from Sweden, one of the non-invitees, told Spiegel magazine that the German foreign minister was not contributing to EU co-operation by leaving some countries out.

http://euobserver.com/843/115640

Nick-named the Berlin club, this meeting of ten has some EU member states concerned, that a split is beginning to emerge within the EU, with a two-tier Europe being actively discussed.

Firstly; should the future of the EU be addressed by all member states at summits and in the EU Parliament?

Secondly; Is a two-tier Europe a good or a bad idea? Would it enhance or diminish European economic and political co-operation?

Personally, I fear that the EU Parliament and High Representatives are worse than pointless at this stage, with National politicians making EU-wide decisions. Where does this lead?

[Poach]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

[Dubh the dark]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

The minister invited only those European Foreign Ministers considered to be "the most Europhile

http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/...te-berlin-club

It has more to do with their willingness to go along with such a grouping rather than anything to do with economics.

[General Brittanicus]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

I'd add Spain to that weaker list as well.

The minister invited only those European Foreign Ministers considered to be "the most Europhile

http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/1666031-europhiles-create-berlin-club

It has more to do with their willingness to go along with such a grouping rather than anything to do with economics.

If thats going to be the basis for a two tier system it seems kind of crappy. You keep a couple of the weak nations and effectively kick out several of the other stronger nations - although i guess I cant blame them with the UK and Finland, but nor would i particularly care either. Also one meeting doesn't signify anything at all - definitely not the break up of the EU.

[Dubh the dark]

If thats going to be the basis for a two tier system it seems kind of crappy. You keep a couple of the weak nations and effectively kick out several of the other stronger nations - although i guess I cant blame them with the UK and Finland, but nor would i particularly care either. Also one meeting doesn't signify anything at all - definitely not the break up of the EU.

Political loyalty seems to be their main demand. There will be more meetings though, this was just the first, officially they're known as the Future of Europe Group ;

We plan to meet a number of times with a view to identifying the key challenges Europe is facing today, as well as possible options how to address them.

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Eu...html?nn=612604

Normally it wouldn't matter but these are ten specific foreign ministers meeting without the other seventeen and will continue to do so, which is seriously agitating other members;

The Danes are ambivalent about the fact that such a fundamental initiative is being started while they hold the rotating EU presidency. The Danish minister will not attend, and neither will Alain Juppé of France.

Irish officials question the wisdom of starting such a debate just as the fiscal treaty ratification process – and Irish referendum campaign – gets under way.

German officials say their invitation list is limited in the interests of a proper conversation. But invitees reflect all geographical and historical experiences in the EU, they say. Further meetings of this group are likely, but membership is unlikely to be extended.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...313579436.html

[Basil II the B.S]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

The minister invited only those European Foreign Ministers considered to be "the most Europhile

http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/...te-berlin-club

It has more to do with their willingness to go along with such a grouping rather than anything to do with economics.

Come on Poach, do you really believe that EU was only about economics? It never was, never will be.
Germany would sit at the table with Italy and Spain rather than the UK or Finland every day of the week, and that's because they are not whiny hijackers.

[Rolling Thunder]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

Being rubbish.

[Tiberios]

Why the my country's foreign minister was invited I don't know. Other than perhaps as the comedian of the night given his extremely bad english skills

[Basil II the B.S]

Why the my country's foreign minister was invited I don't know. Other than perhaps as the comedian of the night given his extremely bad english skills

Same as Guido.
How much Danes and Germans understand each other?

[intel]

Being rubbish.

Not nearly half as rubbish as this post, apparently.

[hellheaven1987]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

UK? Why invite the fifth column of US?

[Thorn777]

Considering that Italy and Portugal are two of the weaker countries that could be candidates for the "lower" tier of Europe, whilst countries like Sweden, Finland and the UK, candidates for the "upper" tier, were not invited. What binds these ten countries together that doesn't apply to the others?

They are obviously plotting the end of the British empire.

[Big War Bird]

If I had a dollar for every 'EU is falling apart thread' I'd be able to go see the Hunger Games this weekend.

[Captain Arrrgh!]

If I had a dollar for every 'EU is falling apart thread' I'd be able to go see the Hunger Games this weekend.

Isn't the Hunger Games a story of Europe after the collapse of the EU?

[s.rwitt]

Guido?

[magpie]

Does it really matter Dubh?
Seems the major decisions are made by 2 nations already, Most of the rest grovel and follow. Our lot being the No 1 in the grovel stakes.
I thought Kenny the school teacher was going to lick Angela,s shoes at one of those summit meetings.
He was probably miffed at his minister not getting an invite.

[Dubh the dark]

Does it really matter Dubh?
Seems the major decisions are made by 2 nations already, Most of the rest grovel and follow. Our lot being the No 1 in the grovel stakes.
I thought Kenny the school teacher was going to lick Angela,s shoes at one of those summit meetings.
He was probably miffed at his minister not getting an invite.

It seems the people of Ireland are too euro-sceptic for this grouping despite the cretin-in-chief we possess. I think it matters in that it highlights the growing discord amongst member states as well as the complete uselessness of Catherine Ashton, Herman Van Rompuy et al. Also note that France wants no part of this, which is a kink in the works.

[Primo]

An interesting story emerged recently which highlights the growing split between EU Nations;

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle has irked some of his EU colleagues by inviting only a select few to a dinner on Tuesday (20 March) to discuss the 'future of Europe' after the economic crisis.

The meeting does not appear on the official website of the German foreign ministry as it is meant to be an informal event at the Villa Borsig, north of Berlin. Invited were the foreign ministers of France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Portugal and Spain.

But by leaving out 17 of the EU's 27 states, Westerwelle has stepped on the toes of some of his colleagues.

A diplomat from Sweden, one of the non-invitees, told Spiegel magazine that the German foreign minister was not contributing to EU co-operation by leaving some countries out.

http://euobserver.com/843/115640

Nick-named the Berlin club, this meeting of ten has some EU member states concerned, that a split is beginning to emerge within the EU, with a two-tier Europe being actively discussed.

Firstly; should the future of the EU be addressed by all member states at summits and in the EU Parliament?

Secondly; Is a two-tier Europe a good or a bad idea? Would it enhance or diminish European economic and political co-operation?

Personally, I fear that the EU Parliament and High Representatives are worse than pointless at this stage, with National politicians making EU-wide decisions. Where does this lead?

Oh, didn´t you know? Germany plans the 3rd world war to take over the rest of europe and america, together with the other 9 states.

So, no need to fear the absence of unity.





Nah, just joking. I always thought that Guido is way too tactless, and I think nothing will come out of this.

[Exarch]

italy shouldnt be ignored, they have a fairly large economy even with all the debt that they have

[pajomife]

Everything finish sooner or later,this community will finish to. Who cares.