Ten countries join the European Union today, making it a group of 25 – a long way from its beginnings of six, a little more than 50 years ago. If you think in terms of population, the EU will become the world's most variegated trading association, with the 74 million new citizens taking the total to 455 million, and how many languages?

The EU’s centre of gravity will shift eastward, as its surface area increases by about 25%, giving it a long border with the former Soviet Union. The new member states are poorer than the old ones, with a combined GDP of less than 5% of the existing 15, but their economies are growing fast.

This may make for some entertaining international developments.

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Eudaimonia

Very cool. I really like the concept, although the execution of the EU grows on my nerves...have to deal with the EU government a lot in my job.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

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osuche,

So are you willing to take bets on the chances of an EU constitution?

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Eudaimonia

jseal, i wouldn't even want to begin to give odds on the successful adoption of an EU constitution!!

Is this the first step in a world wide government?

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oh oh, I think you may be onto something there........shades of the New World Order!

We've seen lots of pieces of paper over the years. But where the EU is going is certainly one of the major issues in the world today.

I don't really want to give my opinion as I'm more interested in your's?

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Vigil, if you were my husband, I would give you poison.

Madam, if you were my wife, I would take it.