LOMAN O LOINGSIGH,
A chara, - So Valéry Giscard d'Estaing thinks that Turkey should not join the EU because it isn't in Europe! Since when have French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion (in the Indian Ocean!) been in Europe? Maybe Turkey should become a French Overseas Department and get into the EU that way. - Is mise,
LOMAN Ó LOINGSIGH, Ellensborough Drive, Kiltipper Road, Dublin 24.
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Madam, - I remember nothing in the recent Nice referendum that gave Romano Prodi the right to decide that Russia would not be considered a candidate to join the EU.
Bad enough that NATO extends its territory to surround Russia, but how much worse that the EU Commission President compounds this Cold War remnant stupidity with a slap in the face for Russian people from the EU?
Extension of EU civil governance to Russia is probably the most useful gift in the power of Western Europe in aiding Russia in its struggle to shake off the past, and protect and deepen democracy.
Why should a zone of democracy and peace not extend from Galway to Vladivostok?
Nor would it be one-way traffic. The arts, sciences and culture of Russia are on par with any country in the world.
The EU's dependence on imports of energy and minerals from unstable regimes would be minimised and enormous investment opportunities would emerge for the EU in Russia once effective civil governance had been achieved.
EU grandees like Giscard d'Estaing and Romano Prodi seem to speak at will on the rights of potential EU members without any mandate, and without any reference to equity or equality between European nations seeking to join the EU.
Exactly how do we vote No to Mr Prodi and Mr d'Estaing? - Yours, etc.,
CADOGAN ENRIGHT, The Quay, Portrane, Co. Dublin.