Bulgaria versus the European Union

by Neil Woodburn on


People in poorer countries always have a romantic image of just how perfect life is in the United States or the European Union compared with what they have to endure in their homeland. Throughout my travels in Russia and Eastern Europe, for example, people I’d meet would say things like, “we have many of potholes in our country! In America, you have not potholes, right?”

Sure, things were and still are bad in many parts of the former communist empire, but life is never as perfect as most people imagine it to be in the West. And that is why I had to laugh at the short animated film above. It basically sums up this concept as it flashes between life in Bulgaria and life in the EU. Naturally, everything is just perfect in the EU; Bulgaria, on the other hand, is falling apart.

Savvy Traveler: Eurozone vs. European Union

by Iva Skoch on

People who come to Eastern Europe (or East Central Europe–as those who like to remove themselves from any association with Russia–call Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic now) often wonder why even if they are in the EU, they can’t use euros here. Nothing is ever easy with the EU, is it.

There are 27 member states in the EU, yet only 13 of them have entered stage 3 of their EU membership: adoption of the Euro currency.

Here are the EU countries NOT using the Euro:

  • United Kingdom
  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Czech Republic
  • Bulgaria
  • Romania
  • Hungary
  • Poland
  • Cyprus
  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Slovakia

However, only Denmark and the UK negotiated a Euro exclusion from the original Maastricht Treaty.

The rest of the countries must legally join the Eurozone sooner or later, whether it is an economic advantage to them or not. The Czech Republic, for example is trying to postpone the Euro adoption as long as possible (fears of inflation) while Slovakia wants to be on the Euro as quickly as possible (hopes for new business opportunities). What everyone agrees on is that adopting the Euro makes everything more expensive for the consumer…and for the tourist.

Asylum Airlines

by Willy Volk on

In 2000, roughly 400,000 asylum seekers applied for asylum in the EU. Of course, many of those people were refused asylum and were deported.

Currently, commercial airlines fly deportees back home. However, deporting people is unpleasant for everyone involved. Not only is it expensive for governments to deport people, it’s intimidating for “normal” passengers to see chained deportees surrounded by armed security on their flight. As a result, many commercial airlines have stopped taking asylum seekers.

Seeing a need, therefore, two businessmen are planning to launch a new airline devoted specifically for failed asylum seekers. So-called Asylum Airlines will provide meals, guards, medical staff, and a representative of a human rights group on each flight. They’ll even provide padded rooms for the unruly.

Essentially, the planes will fly around Europe, pick up failed asylum seekers, and return them to their homes. According to one of the businessmen, “With a professional service the deportations will be faster, chains will not be needed and the deportees can enjoy a meal.” Amusingly, the men claim they haven’t made plans for inflight entertainment or a frequent-flyer scheme.

This is probably one airline you don’t want to test, so be certain to double-check the information on Priceline before hitting that “purchase” button!

[Via Mobissimo; Photo: Java Cafe]

Speed Limit on the Autobahn? Nein!

by Iva Skoch on

German drivers suffered a major shock this week. The EU environment commissioner has requested that Germany imposes a speed limit on the Autobahn in order to cut carbon emissions.

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (or BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen) promptly replied that “Germany needed no coaching from Brussels on climate protection.”

The way EU regulation is going, something tells me Germany won’t be able to get away with this no speed limit thing for long. So, if you are dying to test out that new Porsche on the Autobahn, better do it fast.

Witchcraft in EU Courts?

by Iva Skoch on

Just as soon as Romania has been let into the EU, there’s double, double, toil and trouble brewing. A Romanian judge has been fined and demoted for practicing witchcraft in her court.

Elena Simionescu is alleged to have splashed mud, water, “other liquids,” as well as salt and pepper, on fellow judges’ desks. Should one think it was a simple culinary event, she admitted to sprinkling “holy water” on her co-workers’ desks, “in the spirit of good Christians’ rituals.” Other folks are more concerned: some were “convinced that she was casting spells.” The official line was that she used “unorthodox methods” in her court.

But, I guess it’s not too surprising, considering (according to the Sofia News Agency) that that country legalized witchcraft as an official profession last year.