Paul Howard
Poland
Involvement of EU in Ukrainian Protests
In November of 2013 thousands of Ukrainian citizens began a mass protest
known as the Euro Maidan and subsequently sparking a flurry of violence in the
streets and controversy in the government halls. With the ever increasing importance
of this event it is first important to realize how the European Council had become
involved in this situation. Ukrainian citizens are protesting chiefly for inclusion into
the European Union after President Yanukovych's opted out of set agreements with
the European Union, some of these agreements would include free trade and
stronger relationships with the European Union. Due to Poland's bordering proximity
to Ukraine the situation has become ever more drastic in the eyes of Poland. Being a
part of the European Council Poland feels that interaction with Ukraine is of utmost
importance. The European Union plays a key role in determining whether or not
these protests will end in even more violence or not. It is an obligation for the
European Council to become active in this situation. One way of doing so would to
be first establishing co-operation from protesters and citizens . By asking for their cooperation the European Council could promise the attempt to meet with Ukranian
officials only when protesters become non active or at least passive. With the
cooperation of protesters the negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union
would be much easier, with less stress on Ukrainian officials over protesters officials
would be more inclined to negotiate. Negotiations would include the encouragement
of President Yanukovych to rethink the integration of European Union in Ukraine.
Integration is of crucial importance at this time as Russia prepares to invade Ukraine
countries belonging to the European Union would be much more inclined to help
another country belonging to the European Union rather than one that does not. The
complexity and severity of Ukraines situation right now is insurmountable but Poland
feels that action taken by the European Union and its counterparts is a very viable
and imperative solution.
LGBT Rights in European Union Member States-Poland
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender rights have been a cultural imperative
topic to the world ever since more and more persons have made their sexual
orientation public. In the European Union alone LGBT rights have become a topic of
ever increasing confusion as homosexuality is legal but discriminations remains. So
arises the question of whether or not the European Union should take action and
employ more requirements for LGBT members to have more rights in basic life.
Polands view on homosexuality is very similar to other countries, in fact Poland was
one of the first countries to refrain from punishing homosexuals. Though Poland
feels as if homosexuality is a human right there is a lot civil disputes on how far
homosexuals rights go.This being said Poland believes the involvement from the
European Union should remain non existent when considering LGBT rights in
separate countries. Homosexuality and the rights of homosexuals should remain an
international topic and not an intercontinental decision. It is simple to realize that
there will always be discrepancies from both sides of the argument and that these
international disputes generally have no substantial call for crisis between European
countries. Out of the 28 member states in the European Union only six allow for the
full LGBT protection and rights that heterosexuals have inside that respectable state.
So it appears that though the recognition of homosexuals in the European Union is
concurrent throughout all member states, the full protection and rights of LGBT is
very inconsistent. Though the recognition of LGBT members is important for all
countries in the European Union, each country should have the responsibility to
decide what amount of LGBT rights suits their nation in order to balance the
happiness of both LGBT members and those who oppose full rights for LGBT
members.
Immigration and the European Union--Poland
Ajai Sidhu
Migration in and out of the EU(European Union) states has become a greater
issue due to the fact it has began causing social and economic hardships to the EU,
but even deaths and riots have occurred in extreme cases. Rights given to EU
citizens allow them to live and work in any state of the EU, which on it’s own causes
issues with citizens not of the EU who do not receive the same luxury. By giving
immigrants the equivalent rights, this controversial issue is surely to lead to more
problems for the EU. Therefore, Poland believes that immigrants should receive the
basic rights of the citizens of the state, but not the rights given to a citizen of the EU.
The economic toll of immigration into the EU has been a burden to the already
fragile economies of Poland’s neighboring states countries. An aid package of 30
millions euros was given to Italy recently accommodate ship arrivals to avoid
incidents such as the Lampedusa Tragedy, in which a boat of 300 immigrants
capsized. Other economic burdens such as 85 million Euros to the Frontex agency
to patrol the borders continue to be an issue as well. Due to the numerous issues
immigration holds for the EU, Poland believes that immigration should be made
more difficult and highly discouraged by all EU members. By regulating the amount
of immigrants the EU will be more able to address the assimilation of current
immigrants and perhaps develop new methods to accommodate larger immigrant
populations in the future.