“…
It has emerged that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has loaned Ford GBP*80*million to invest in its Turkish plant, as part of its moves to prepare the country’s economy for possible European Union membership.

Has the Commission considered that certain EIB loans may have a negative impact on firms registered within the*EU, especially where the EIB’s very favourable loans could offer an unfair advantage to non-EU firms?”

That is strange, as my understanding of Turkey’s membership bid for the EU was that it was mainly the UK in favour, with the rest of the EU, especially Greece, opposed. We could use some clarification as to what the staus of the island of Cyprus will be if Turkey joins. There appear to be dire economic problems there, which might make integration difficult.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9911117/Cypriot-crisis-deepens-as-haircut-fears-drive-capital-flight.html

Steven

Much of the ‘factual material’ you have presented thus far has actually been political propaganda.
The rest of your diatribe does not merit a response of any kind.

The export/import figures in the tables which clearly show the UK in the big league are from an EU commission website.

Obviously ‘political propaganda’ then.

Steven

And again, YOU have resorted to insults.

Infact, you have contributed nothing to this thread. You have continuously ridiculed other people’s opinions, without presenting a realistic alternative or solution.

This is generally the way of socialists though. All stance and no substance. 🙂

I can’t make a call about the socialist bit, but GA mostly resorts to the ad hominem attacks and dissembling arguments when faced with factual material which runs counter to his position. I try to stick to the topic by introducing material with newer views, or which hopefully prompts considered discussion.

Note the top four grouping in both export and import tables. The UK is in the same league as USA, Russia, and China, in importance to the EU. We are in a strong position on trade negotiations.

Steven

One of the problems with BBC’s stance on climate change is its uncritical acceptance that ‘climate change’ can be blamed for even the most unlikely of events. Apparently Ludlow Castle walls have been collapsing due to climate change. Rather than some more obvious reasons.

“Historic walls are hit by tremor: Parts of a Shropshire town’s historic town walls were damaged during last month’s tremor. (2008)
In February part of the Castle Square Car Park closest to the wall was fenced off to reduce the risk of traffic loading affecting the wall’s stability. (2010)
Climate change and natural deterioration have been blamed for recent collapses of the walls. (2005)
John Williams from Shropshire Council said the repairs could take up to four months. He said not a lot was known about the history of the wall and what is causing it to lean. (2010)
Part of Shropshire Council’s Historic Environment team, Mr Richards said much of the damage dated back to Ludlow’s expansion in the 18th Century, when soil was piled up against the ancient walls. (2012)
Several major phases of work at Ludlow Castle have been carried out in recent years; the most dramatic of which was the rebuilding of part of the outer curtain wall following its collapse in the winter of 1991.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/9907054/Historic-town-walls-crumbling-because-of-climate-change.html

Steven

It’s up to you to show the source for any information or statistics that you present, Steven, not for others to find the source for themselves

I have always assumed that the Grey in your name referred to the quality of the matter inside you head. Not to the fluff on the outside.

But back to the EU. The recognition that the UK is the world’s largest Eurozone export trade bloc puts a different perspective on their opposition to the UK possibly leaving. They would not wish to lose control over that, it has less to do with our economic prospects.

Steven

Well done! Actually ECB’s Monthly Bulletin for February 2013, page 173.

The real point is that for all the talk of tbe UK being somehow a junior partner and dependent on the EU, we could in fact manage our own affairs with the rest of the world and the EU, as we are coming from a position of relative strength.

Steven

Here are some more figures to discuss, and for the search-engine challenged, it is from the Sun.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4824991/PM-feels-heat-from-Tories-as-UKIP-support-hits-38.html

Steven

Do a search for it in the usual places.

Steven