Posted on 06/11/2005 6:11:21 PM PDT by RWR8189
For all those who were moaning about the death of the United States of Europe after the French and Dutch voted down the proposed European constitution, there was a wee bit of reason for optimism. The fiercely independent Swiss voted to strengthen their ties with the European Union. Switzerland will join the EU's passport-free travel zone.
The decisions in these three nations suggest that folks on the continent still greatly value the benefits of economic cooperation but don't want so much political decision-making taken from them and their nations.
The Swiss have resisted joining the EU but decided to sign up for the travel zone for practical reasons. Closer security cooperation with the EU is critical in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. Speeding the flow of people at the borders also speeds the flow of commerce.
As for the much more momentous campaign to bring all 25 EU members under a common constitution, that's on life support. All the member nations must ratify the constitution for it to become the law of the land. Ten have so far. Because of the votes in France and the Netherlands, though, Britain has suspended its own referendum. There was little point in waging an uphill campaign for an unpopular document that no doubt will have to be revised.
The supporters of the constitution have to figure out why they have run into so much resistance. They might start by evaluating what Europe still seems to be doing right.
Today's EU grew to be the force it is--with 450 million inhabitants--because its members over the decades recognized that, economically, the sum would be greater than the parts.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
The supporters of the constitution have to figure out why they have run into so much resistance.
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As if they don't know?? Another Pulitzer prize winning article.
"Switzerland will join the EU's passport-free travel zone"
While legally important (I assume they are joining schengen group), it is in practice insignifigant. The two times I have crossed a swiss border in car we weren't even stopped.
The poor, poor, liberals. First, they lose the US Presidency, now they lose Europe.
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