Section2.Spain

** 1.History/Background of E.U. Country ** Click on the picture to take a look inside! || History of Spain: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ruled the seas to England from Spain. When the middle 1900s came and both of the World Wars were going on Spain was not affected. They remain neutral in both World Wars which led to why they were not in danger. However, they did suffer through a devastating Civil War. Spain had a peacful transition to democracy after the dictator Fransisco passed away in 1975. A rapid economic modernazation gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and gobal champion of freedom and human rights. Spain's main focus right now is on the recent recession. Background of Spain: Family is highly important in Spain. Divorce rates are low but are increasing particualy among young couples and in urban areas. The average family has 2 children. Both of the parents leave work after the birth of their baby. Relatives maintain a close relationship to the nuclear family. The wife is usually the one to do the housework and the husand is usually the "head" of the house. The men are supposed to be big and masculine and the women are supposed to portray caring and feminine, however that is changing. Housing in Spain does not differ really.Most houses are brick or stone apartments closely bunched together. Apartments tend to be small -two to three bedrooms- and there is usually no seperate dining room. Houses in the city are usually basic houses and here and there you will see a mansion. Many of the people living in their houses have had been part of the family in that house for several generations. Teenagers usually begin dating in groups at the age of 14 and as couples at 18. Couples will be engaged but not get married for a bit because they are saving up for an apartment or anything else. The parents normally have to approve of the spouse. Most people get married in their late 20s or early 30s. After the birth of the child the dad celebrates by giving cigars to his friends. Spainish children usually have 2 surnames, first fathers and second mothers. Adulthood usually starts at the age of 18. ||
 * [[image:PIC_Spain_Coutyard_of_the_Catheral.jpg width="260" height="194" link="http://www.360cities.net/image/castillo-de-loarre-spain"]]


 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * Click on Picture to see the European Council Building![[image:Barcelona_Spain.jpg width="367" height="457" link="http://www.360cities.net/image/european-council-strasbourg-france#356.90,-5.20,70.0"]] || Year of Admission: Spain had joined the E.U. (European Union) in 1986. When they entered they raised the number to 12 E.U countries.

History About E.U: After the two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century multiple European leaders became convinced that the only way to establish everlasting peace was to unite the two cheif nation (France and Germany) both economically and politcially. The start was when Robert Schuman, a french foriegen minister, made a speech and did the first step the interagation of coal and steel industries of West Europe. The next year the European coal and steel community was set up when 6 members -Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxemborg, and the Netherlands- signed the treaty of Paris. The ESSC (European Coal And Steel Communtity) was very succesful, within a few years the desicion was made to interegate other part of the economy. In 1957 the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community and the Euro, Atomic Energy Community and six other member states under took trade barriers among them by creating a common market. In 1967 the Common Market was formed within that creation they created a single comminsion, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. In 1973 Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom was added. In 1981 Greece joined, and in 1986 Spain and Portugal joined. In 1992 the Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foriegn and defense policy, in judicial and terminal affairs, and the creation of a common currency the Euro. In 1995 Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the E.U. Now it was up to 15 members. United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark did not inheirt the Euro. Then in 2004 Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined bringing the current membership to 27. To make sure the E.U runs efficently on February 1, 2003, the Treaty of Nice was created. It sets up the rules and regulations. The E.U. tried to establish and E.U. constitution in 2008 and it failed. Then the Treaty of Libson was made. The difference was it was sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. A new treaty was set to begin on December 1, 2009. ||

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 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * || In Spain, deforestation is one of its most major enviormental problems. Between 1947 and 1973 almost five million acres of natural forests were cut down to plant about two million acres of eucalyptas trees to supply a lucrative paper industry. But Eucalyptas plantations are ,though, subject to often soil erosion that plages half of Spain. Spain also faces other issues like air pollution (not reaching acid rain levels yet) and industrial wastes reaching locle marine habitats. To stop more pollution Spain has made many protected areas in their country. Also, Spain is a party to several international enviormental treaties, including the international Biodiversity treaty, the nuclear test Ban treaty, and others relating to air pollution, endangered species preservation, marine dumping, tropical timber regulation, whaling, and wetland pretection. So Spain and the E.U. do support providing measures and efforts to stop global warming and climate change because it's happening right here in our own country.

Spain: Spain has been a useful yet low-key contributor to the mission in Afghanistan. It has undertaken valuable civilian work:it's military role has been more circumscribed. Towards the end of 2009 the Spainish Government was conspiously muted in it's reaction to president Obama's new strategy for the war in Afghanistan. As Spain assumes the E.U. presidency, the Spainish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapater, has yet to convince tat his comitted to winning the war in Afghanistan. To do so he must provide sufficent military & cilivian resources for Spain to prevail against the Tailiban in its area of operations in Badghis Province & lead a greatly enhanced European commitment to Afghanistan and Pakistan during Spain's E.U. presidency. In the past Spain has consistently not sought regional command in Afghanistan, refused to deploy in the south & generly preffered to concentrate on reconstruction & logistical duties rather that assuming a combat role. For most of the period between 2005 & 2009 Spain has contributed just under 800 soldiers to ISAF, playing an important role in herat Province under the Itailin-led Regional Command West as well as up part of the Italin-led Quick Reaction Force & providing two OMLTs. media type="file" key="P2 Hannah 2.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || The E.U.: The European Union (E.U.) is helping out Afghanistan. The E.U. feels content about helping Afghanistan, and it is one of Afghanistan's biggest donors. On November 16, 2005, the European Union and Afghanistan created a __Joint Declaration__ for a partnership. The E.U. has stregthened their steps to achieve a more complex approach to help the war in Afghanistan through its plan of action for the country. The European Union is ready to work closely with Afghanistan, the United States, and other partners to conquer challenges. The E.U. is already spending 1 billion Euro a year to help Afghanistan. The E.U. presidency provides an opportunity but also challenges Spain to lead a positive European response to President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan. Steps are needed for both the military & civilian sides, and espically in linking these two dimensions more systematically.

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 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * ||  Spain does support helping the economies of weaker E.U countries. Spain's economic conditions have improved ever since it joined the E.U. in 1986. Government austerity measures adopted since 1996 enabled Spain to quality for European Montery Union, which was launched in January, 1999. Economic growth in Spain has brought down the unemployment rate which is still one of the highest in the E.U. so that families have a decent income. Major industries in Spain include texties, and apperal, food, metals, chemicals, auto mobiles, and machine tools. Although industry is vital to the economy, the services sector now employs about two-thirds of the labor force. Tourism is increasingly important to Spain for its climate; it is a poplar destination for many other Europeans. Agriculture employs less than one-tenth of the labor force. But the country is the world leader in the production of wine and olive oil. Trade and invesment in Latin America are also expanding Spain's economy. In 2002 the nations currency went from peseta to Euro. Spain feels that we could help out a bit we do give them some of our money but we use most of it to make Spain a better place; such as making our info-structure much better. However, we do help them because it could create less conflict and we could be untied as one.