Chris Alemany 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸 🌱 on Nostr: My personal feeling is if there is no hard and fast geographical definition of what a ...
My personal feeling is if there is no hard and fast geographical definition of what a “European State" is, then that term could apply essentially to any country that defined *itself* as such.
Perhaps a country could declare it to be by referendum, parliamentary action, Constitution or other law.
Then all that would need to be accomplished upon application is for the existing European Union members to agree to that self-determination.
It appears there is a case where Morroco which would generally be thought of as part of Afriica, was denied the ability to apply for EU membership ostensibly because it was not a "European State”, implied as not part of the geographical continent.
And yet in other cases, like Cyprus, or Georgia, both considered "transcontinental countries" (residing within the definitions of both Europe and West Asia or the MIddle East) countries have successfully achieved or have clear ambitions to becoming part of the EU. Russia has also in the past been thought as a potential future member of the EU if it was ever politically possible.
So where does this leave Canada?
In my mind, if Russia could be considered and especially if it eventually became a part of the EU, then Canada would effectively share a border in the north and east with EU countries.
Politically, socially, culturally, multi-culturally, and economically, Canada is very similar to the majority of EU countries.
I for one would much rather be directly tied to a bloc like the EU, which respects the individuality of each member state rather than being absorbed by our suddenly-too-close-for-comfort southern Neighbour.
So ya, I'd be OK with the Canadian Parliament considering legislation that would declare us a “European State”, including changing our Constitution to make it so.
Maybe we wouldn't even need to go that far. Perhaps the EU membership would see our similarities naturally. I am sure between the Polar Bears, Poutine, and Hockey, we could make a good case!
Perhaps a country could declare it to be by referendum, parliamentary action, Constitution or other law.
Then all that would need to be accomplished upon application is for the existing European Union members to agree to that self-determination.
It appears there is a case where Morroco which would generally be thought of as part of Afriica, was denied the ability to apply for EU membership ostensibly because it was not a "European State”, implied as not part of the geographical continent.
And yet in other cases, like Cyprus, or Georgia, both considered "transcontinental countries" (residing within the definitions of both Europe and West Asia or the MIddle East) countries have successfully achieved or have clear ambitions to becoming part of the EU. Russia has also in the past been thought as a potential future member of the EU if it was ever politically possible.
So where does this leave Canada?
In my mind, if Russia could be considered and especially if it eventually became a part of the EU, then Canada would effectively share a border in the north and east with EU countries.
Politically, socially, culturally, multi-culturally, and economically, Canada is very similar to the majority of EU countries.
I for one would much rather be directly tied to a bloc like the EU, which respects the individuality of each member state rather than being absorbed by our suddenly-too-close-for-comfort southern Neighbour.
So ya, I'd be OK with the Canadian Parliament considering legislation that would declare us a “European State”, including changing our Constitution to make it so.
Maybe we wouldn't even need to go that far. Perhaps the EU membership would see our similarities naturally. I am sure between the Polar Bears, Poutine, and Hockey, we could make a good case!