Section6.Belgium

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

Click Here to see an old Palace in Belgium.  || Modern Belgians are decendants of a Celtic tribe whos courage was admired by Julius Casaer. In the fifth Century the Germanic Franks took control and established the merovingian dinasty later followed by the Charlmagne's empire. Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830 and united in a Constitutional Monarchy. Because of its vulnerability and small size, Belgium has favored European cooperation and integration since the 1940's. It was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Orginization and serves as that alliances's headquarters. World War II's famous Battle of the Bulge was fought in Basogne and central Belgium. Belgium was once a part of ancient gaul. It was owned by the Roman Empire from first century B.C. to fifth century A.D. when it was taken over by the Franks. It became a Part of Charlemagne's Empire. In 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg was elected as king. During the 1960's Belgium granted independence to the Belgian Congo and to Rwanda- Urundi. Belgium has known heavy conflict as well as great achevement in art and commerce.
 * [[image:belg_flag_sml.jpg width="200" height="151" link="@http://www.360cities.net/map#lat=50.84628&lng=4.35473&name=eiermarkt-egg-market&zoom=11"]]

About 8% of Belgium's population is made up of foreigners. Only 60% of the foregin population is from another E.U. country such as Italy, France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poleland, and Greece. The country has mainly two parts that are split by language the Flemish and the Walloon. Around 58% speak Flemish, 32% speak Walloon, 38% speak French, and less the half of 1% speak German.

The Belgium flag has three stripes one black, yellow, and red. It came from the flag of Brabant which had a yellow lion, with a red tongue, climbing a black surface.

Belgium produces more than two hundred types of Cheese. They also produce more than four hundred types of Chocolate.

Belgians are famous for their mussels and chips (french fries) and which according to legend they created this dish. ||

Click here to see the Atomium. || Belgium was addmitted into the EU in 1951 making it one of the first countries to become a European Union member.
 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:atomium.jpg width="336" height="463" link="@http://www.360cities.net/map#lat=50.84628&lng=4.35473&name=atomium&zoom=11"]]

On May 9, 1950, ideas changed when French Minister, Robert Schuman made a speech about putting ideas forward for bringing peace and cooperation to Europe. This was at the start of World War II. After the speech was made Europeans felt the urg to try to rebuild itself after World War I.

Several treaties were signed before the making of the European Union. One was proposed by Paris France and was called the European Coal and Steel Comunity treaty or for short the ECSC. This treaty was signed by Belgium, The Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed on April 18, 1951. Another treaty was signed on March 25, 1957, and was proposed by Rome. This treaty created the European Atomic Energy Community (ERURATOM) and made greater cooperation and harmonization in to topic of atomic energy and nuclear research. The Merger Treaty was also digned on April 8, 1965 (effective through July 1, 1987) and established a common insitutions for the three communities; The Council of Ministers, the European Commision, the European parliment, the Court of Justice, and the European Council. The European Single Act ESA; signed Feb. 26, 1986: effective July 1, 1987) this increased the powers of the European Parliment. This treaty set the stage for the European Community's 1992 program; this was a plan to eliminate any more barriers to the completion of a community wide citzenship. The Maastricht treaty followed the ESA and was made to provide for the gradual creation of the single currency, a European Central Bank, and Community wide Citzenship, however the Maastricht plan was not approved until 1993. The Amsterdam Treaty, was a follow-up to the Maastricht and was conxluded in June of 1997. The Treaty of Nice (2001) agused the voting weights of the member countriedson antictpation of the expansion of the EU that would govern the EU as it expanded to twenty-five members. In June of 2003 the EU published a draft constitution that would govern the EU as it expanded to twenty-five members in 2004. The European Union is now clear.

Now the countries in the European Union include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republec, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakis, Slovenis, Lpain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom as of 2009. Their is a president and two vice presidents in The European Council. One vice president serves as a foriegn minister. ||

|| All 27 E.U. member states have been active against climate change for a number of years now. It started in 2008 when a package of policys and measures to stop energy and climate change was agreed for the EU. In the package was a proposal covering, renewable energy, the emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) and shared efforts of member states to shrink emissionfrom sectors outside the EU ETS, and geological storage of carbon dioxide and sets specific targets for 2020. The package also includes a leagally binded commitment to a reduction to greenhouse gas emissions of 20% compared to 1999 levels by 2020.
 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * [[image:overview-env-2_en.jpg width="249" height="208"]]

Belgium: Global climate change could cause flood and water shortages in central Asia. Belgans agree with the EU that they should stop climate change. A fatal desease passed over Europe as the result of climate change. It is transmitted by moles and other rodents and can lead to death. 38% of the cases have occured between 2005 and 2007. As belgians struggle to get rid of this horrid desease they have created new kinds of windows. these windows are sun resistent energy saving sputter film. Since it was covered over the windows of the European Commision DG Enviroment building in Brussels it has reached saving standards. These windows have caused a huge drop of greenhouse gases (acid rain). media type="file" key="Autumn 1.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 EU: On November 16, 2005 the E.U. and Afghanistan adopted a joint deleration setting out partnership. The Afghanistan compact launched at the London conference in January 2006, provides the political framework for cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community for the current five year period. The European council reiterates the E.U.'s strong commitments to promote stability and development in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The country strategy paper for Afghanistan 2007 to 2008 has been drafted against a backround of an evolving political and economic scene.

Belgium: Belgium has been asked to send more troops to Afghanistan as part of the allied surge to stablise the embattled country. Howard Gutman, the ambassador to Belgium, asked for more instructors to help train the national army and police in Afghanistan in a speech to businessmen in Brussels. " If Belgium marched forward who would not join?" "Of Course Belgium has a limited budget and limited man power. But though Belgium may be short on men and dollers, Belgium lead credibility. There are currently around 600 Belgian troops in Afghanistan right now. Belgium is bringing and additional 150 troops to Afghanistan, bring the total number to around 750.

Click on the link to hear our view! media type="file" key="Autumn 2.wav" width="300" height="50" ||

Supporting other weaker countries: Economic prosperity is avaible to most belgians, and wealth is well distributed. Leaders are making rapid progress in reducing the country's debt ratia. The economy has been growing in the last few years and inflation has been kept under controll. So Belgium doesnt mind because they are still wealthy and have good trading going on. Belgium is doing fine economicly.
 * 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)// **
 * [[image:EU_flag.jpg width="263" height="212"]] || Belgium's economy is diversified and highly industerilized; its labor force is highly skilled. Belgium is one of the world's major exporters wool, beer, and meats, and is a very key producer of automobiles. Other well-established industries include dimonds, crystal, and glass, Belgium trade is conducted with E.U. members especially Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

media type="file" key="Autumn 3.wav" width="300" height="50"

Click on the link to hear our view! ||