Section6.Italy

** 1.History/Background of E.U. Country **

a birthplace and center of the arts for centuries. The Renaissance began in Italy. Holidays in Italy include: New Years, Epiphany, Easter, Liberation, Labor Day, Christmas.
 * [[image:Vatican_city_picture.jpg width="179" height="129"]] || Italy established itself as a republic in 1946. Silvio Berlusconi, who was elected in 2001, and served the longest term as prime minister. Italy adopted the Euro in 1999. Italy continues to face on going problems such as illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, and economic disparity between Northern and Souhtern Italy. Italian is the official language of Italy. Nearly all Italians are Roman Catholic. Vatican City is the home of the Roman Catholic church. Italy has the lowest birthrate of all of Europe. Leisure time is very important to Italians. They do many things such as going to the beach, watching movies, dances, and sporting events. Soccer is Italy's favorite sport. In Italy education is a very serious matter, and kids spend most of their time doing homework. A breakfast is usually light with coffee or warm milk with a cornetto or bread with jam or honey. Dinners are usually heavier, for they don't have much for lunch. A dinner would be a three course meal with pasta, fish, meat, or vegetables. Italy has been

Most Italians wish is to own their homes, but with the high prices for a new home many Italians don't own their homes completly. Italians care abou their appearnce a lot and try to dress up as much as they can. Although some people don't and try to express themselves. The population of italy is 58.1 million people. ||


 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/ee-lgflag.gif width="181" height="123" caption="Flag of European Union" link="@https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/flagtemplate_ee.html"]] || Italy was the founding member of the E.U. in 1953. France, West Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Belguim, and Luxembourg signed a treaty in 1951, creating the European coal and steel community (ECSC). The ECSC began in 1952. Jose Maneul Borroso is the president of the European commision, and Fredrik Reinfeldt is the president of the European council. There twenty seven member countries in the European Union. The ECSC developed a common market for steel and coal products. In this common market nations reduce or remove tax barriers. Such as terrifs which are taxes on goods that cross country borders. Many of the E.U. countries have adopted the euro. Italy has 78 representitives int the European parliment as of 2005. The European parliment is the largest government body in the E.U. The E.U's motto is "United in Diversity". The E.U's national anthem is "Ode to Joy". The E.U.'s headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium. ||


 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * || The E.U. is going to support some start up money of 5-7 billion euro a year from 2010-2012 as long as long as others contribute for reversing climate change. The E.U. is going to contribute this money because they are concerned about global warming. Also they want to reduce some of the green house gases that are making an impact on climate change.

Italy believes that they have to keep the climate at a steady level. Italy gives out the most greenhouse gases in Europe, so they are going to donate some money to reduce these greenhouse gases that they are giving out. Itlay knows the dangers that may come if they do not help with climate change. Scientists believe that if the climate changes more than it already is a disease that has not been in Italy for a long time may come back because of the different climate. media type="file" key="Pd 6 John l.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. feels that they need to help the people, and promote stability/development in Afghanistan. Also they want to help strengthen their government and their military. The E.U. and its members are spending one billion Euro a year on civilian, and political activities/development. The E.U. also thinks that they need more capacity building in Afghanistan. The European Council reiterates the E.U.'s strong commitment to promote stability and development in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Italy is helping allied forces in Afghanistan by sending troops. Italy currently has 2,750 troops in Afghanistan and are thinking about sending 1,000 to 1,500 extra troops to Afghanistan. Italy also beleives they have to finish what they started. Italy also thinks that sending an additional 1,500 troops to Afghanistan means a huge effort for an army of this size. To get these troops Italy will have to withdraw trrops from the Balkans and possibly Lebanon. So far 22 Italian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. The public does not pay much attention to Afghanistan until their is a emergency or some of their soldiers get killed. media type="file" key="Pd 6 John 2.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||

media type="file" key="Pd 6 John 3.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 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)// **
 * || The country's major trading partners include: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK). Italy has a diversified economy. The North is industrial, and the South is agricultural. A tax amnesty has netted the government more than $135,000,000,000 billion U.S. dollars. The Italian economy is partialy driven by high quality consumer goods, and medium enterprises. Many of them are family owned. This acounts for 15% GDP for Italy. These activities are most common within agriculture, construction, and servis sectors. Italy's government has struggled to limit their spending, but it's high public debt remains at 115% GDP as the costs of servicing rose do did thecountry's debt. Italy has a sizeable underground economy. The GDP (purchising power parity) for Italy is $1.756 trillion U.S. dollars as a estimate in 2009. The GDP (real growth rate)estimate in 2009 was -5%. Italy does not think helping the economies of weaker E.U. countries is a good idea because Italy does not have the money to help and could use some help themselves.