Picture of the week

What is EU`s direct influence to our schoolenvironment? The thing, that I noticed long time ago, was a simple rucksack, that has a big word "CHANGE!" on it and right next to it there`s a sign of the EU.

there`s also a link below the writing: www-climatechange.eu.com

I guess for a long time this union has not been only an economical federation

One of the theories about the etymology of Europe`s name says that it is cued from two words in Greek eurys (broad, opened) and ops (face, visage). The word broad has been used in many different religions to describe the Earth.

The aims of Estonian Government in the EU

In January this year the Estonian Government set its priorities in the EU. Germany has the leading role in this period. I think, that despite of upcoming change of government these sights will generally remain the same. Now the main points:

1. Estonia s aim is to help to find a solution in the European s Constitutions Treaties issue. (It is in the interests of Estonia, that the contract comes into force before the year 2009).
   


2. Estonia supports the broadening of the EU
   


3. To develop the innovation – politics, that would support European ability to compete in everything.
   


4. To assure the supply of energy.
   


5. Estonia wishes to abolish tax – hindrances in the internal market.
   


6. It’s important to start a discussion about the EU`s tax – reform.
   


7. To speed up the international climate – negotiations.
   


8. To join the Schengen`s legal system on time.
   


9. To strengthen up and develop our neighbour – politics and to support market economy in the neighbourhood of the EU.
   

To develop a partnership between the EU and Russia.

A small comment:

One can see, that the EU`s politics sail on a steady course. The aims are ambitious, as they are meant to be. Broadly speaking I agree with the priorities that the government posed although there are some issues that might not be advantageous to Estonia (For example the widening of EU). Must not abandon hope!

Paet in Bremen

Urmas Paet attended in the unofficial Gymnich meeting of the foreign ministers of EU in Bremen. After meeting his counterparts he said that EU must increase its visibility in Middle-Asia. At the meeting the foreign ministers also discussed about the relations between EU and Iran. According to Paet, EU ought to think about communicating with Iran in the level of technical cooperation. The peace process of Middle-East was also a topic at the conference. Urmas Paet pointed out that forming a government of national unity is a step forward in overcoming the innercrises in Palestine. The foreign ministers of Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Czech talked about the USA visa-abolition program.

The name of Europe

The word „Europe”comes from Phoenician- Semitic, where ereb means sunset or Occident. The greeks connected the word with mythology. According to the myth the king Agenor of Phoenicia had a beautiful daughter named Europe. She was kidnapped by Zeus, who took her to Crete. Because the Crete culture is the source of todays European culture, the word „Europe „ has reached us. In the beginning only Greece and Thrace were named as Europe but in the 6-th century all areas that were north from the Mediterranean Sea where named as Europe. The name „Asia” comes from Akkadia language. The word assu means sunrise.

Party for Europeans

Previously Karl wrote the 50th anniversary of the Roman contract and some about the youth conference dedicated to it. I will give a short overview of how this day was celebrated in Berlin near the Barndenburg gates. Our Prime Minister Andrus Ansip also participated in this event.

The party for Europeans began on Saturday evening in Berlin where “Europe – The night of beauty” was announced. All the museums of the metropolis stayed opened until two o’clock in the mourning. An hour before midnight the clubnight of Europe began– more than thirty nightclubs gave everybody a chance to dance by offering music from 27 DJs – one from every memberland of the EU.

Sunday brought dozens and dozens of people to the Brandenburg gate. There were over 75 info-pavilions, in which every country of the EU had an opportunity to introduce itself. All members presented their state by offering native food and snacks. For instance in Estonian tent you could try roast meal mixture and buy grilled sausages and sweets from Kalev. On the big stage stars from all over the Europe gave a concert dedicated to EU. The gaieties were ended with fireworks as the German Youth orchestra played the anthem of Europe.

The young people of Europe say NO! to smoking

On Wednesday the youth of Estonia gave to the social ministry ceremonially the European youth manifesto of tobacco, which was created by hundreds of young people.

On their last meeting in Belgium, the manifesto was finished after months of mindwork and debates.

The European youth manifesto of tobacco was accepted by the European Youth Forum and the European Comission.

The goal of the action was to make a summary of the European people's sumpoints in the issues of tobacco and to make young people to think about how they can change today's situation.

The leader of the Estonian legation Toivo Klaar says that when we look at the statistics the worry about the health is entirely justified.

It is good to know that a lot of young people on the EU fight against tobacco and smoking.

This kind of projects are essential to the small countries like Estonia, because our national growth has been negative for a long time.
www.help-eu.com