Is the European Union enlargement a threat or a chance for Poland?
At the beginning of May 2004 took place the biggest enlargement of European Union. The new countries joined ten member countries. It was supposed that everything will change in the structures of European Union after this historical enlargement. Our expectations concerning the accession to the Union were different. I am going to show my personal attitude to this problem. I will point the advantages and disadvantages of Poland's joining of the Union and comment every of them.
1. When Poland joins the Union, all salaries will increase, whereas the unemployment rate will be lower.
My personal opinion: FALSE
2. After our joining the European Union, Poland will be able to develop economically.
My Personal opinion: TRUE
In my opinion, Polish economy would develop even if we didn't join the European Union. It is estimated that the average Polish salary reach only about 35% of the average salary of a common citizen in the European Union. The amount is mainly a result of Polish history, whereas Polish economy is dependent to unpopular policy created by our government. After joining the Union, Poland will be given a lots founds to improve the economy. The funds used in rational way make our economy to develop. We should be careful in spending this money and be beware of these unpredictable politicians who probably will take part in the election. They may waste the opportunities. I think that the joining of European Union gives us the huge opportunities to develop the economy.
3. We will be free to travel, work and live abroad.
My personal opinion: TRUE
4. In "old "member countries the immigration and unemployment rates will increase and Polish people won't to work in Poland where the salaries will be lower
My personal opinion: FALSE
A lot of Polish people undoubtedly want to work and move to the western countries. They will go to Great Britain, Ireland, Germany and France. But the amount of these people isn't frightening. According to the BBC World, about 220,000 migrants spread among all member countries every year. Instead of the unlimited freedom of movement, there will be also some restrictions for first years, which restrain the immigration. When the restriction period is over, Polish immigrants will be equal to other Union's citizens. If you know the foreign languages required in the European Union, you will have possibility to find a job in every member country on the same conditions as the born inhabitants. I think that the emigration rate in western member countries won't increase as much as it was estimated. A lot of Polish immigrants will decide to come back to Poland after a few years spending abroad. They will be more experienced and they will change something in Poland.
5. The European Union will insist on more liberal policy of Polish government.
My personal opinion: TRUE
6. There is a risk that some national traditions will disappear and young Polish people will be more international and cosmopolitan.
My personal opinion: TRUE
There were two problems which arose a lot of controversies. These were the disappearance of national traditions and the price of sugar. Some Eurosceptics used these two arguments as the most important ones against joining the European Union. We should be aware that some tradition will probably disappear and some things will be changed. There will be more liberal and democratic law. Also in these matters some Eurosceptics will disagree with me, because they think that nothing should be changed and everything should be subordinated to the Catholic Church. I think that there won't be any racial, national, religious and sexual discrimination. Thanks to the European Union the law will be more tolerant. We will be more interested in matters of our foreign neighbours. Thanks to the great freedom of movement we will be cosmopolitan. We will be familiar with other European cultures and we will know the better quality of life. Some Polish habits will certainly disappear, but I hope that only theses worse ones.
To sum up, there are more advantages of the enlargement of European Union than disadvantages. The joining of the Union will be a great chance for our country. We shouldn't be aware about our national identity, because the European Union leave us a lot of autonomy in this matter. I think that some threats presented by these extremely right-winged parties are much exaggerated. Poland will receive a big support from the European Union and we shouldn't belittle it.
