Section7.Poland

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


 * [[image:pl-lgflag.gif width="242" height="147"]] || Poland was formed by Slavic Tribes and the most important one is the Polians which means people of the plain. King Miezko I adopted Roman Catholic faith in AD 966. Later in Medieval times, Poland combined with Lithuania to form a mighty empire. In the late 14th century, Polish life and culture flourished under Kazimiez The Great. Later in the 1700s, Poland's 1791 constitution was patterned after the U.S. constitution and gave freedom to the Surfs. During WWI Poland was taken over, but became a country again in 1918. During World War II, it was taken over again by the Nazis. During WWII 60 million Polish people died. 3 million died in the Holocast. ||

There are many goverments in the E.U., as described below. The European Parliment is one goverment and it cannot pass laws. Another one is the European Commission. It proposes legislation to the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers approves legeslation for the E.U. It is also a safeguard to the treaties on which the Union is based. It cannot approve or reject proposals from the European Commision, and request proposals from the commission. The Council of Ministers usually meets in Brussels but it can conduct meetings in the capital of the country that holds the union's presidency. The European Council is the union's supreme political body. It estabilishes the goals of the union. The council consists of the heads of state or goverment of each member nation. The European Council meets at least twice a year in Brussels or the capital of the country that holds the presidency. Each member nation serves as president of the union for 6 months in rotation. The European Court of Justice is the supreme court of the E.U. It decides whether the actions of other bodies of the E.U. comply with the rules of the union. The European Court of Justice's 27 judges are chosen by an unamimous agreement of member goverments. The judges serve 6 year terms. The European Court of Justice sits in Luxembourg. After World War II Jean Monnet, a French stateman, promoted the idea of uniting the Democratic European nations both economically and politically. In 1951, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and West Germany signed the Treaty of Paris which established the European Coal and Steel Community, known as ECSC. The ECSC united it's six member nations with a single common market for the production of coal, steel, iron ore, and scrap metal. The ECSC allowed coal and steel workers from any member country to work anywhere in the ECSC countries. The E.U. has 27 nation members, and almost 500 million people. ||
 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * || Poland joined the E.U. in 2004.

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 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * || Poland has suffered many environmental issues because of war, occupation, and industrial abuse. Poland needs to spend millions of dollars to repair all this damage. Severe air and water pollution has damaged thousands of acres of Poland's land. To stop pollution from continuing to damage Poland, Poland created environmental laws which are strictly enforced. Poland also participates in many treaties concerning oceans, hazardous waste, nuclear test bans, and wetlands.

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 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || The E.U. is Afganistan's largest donor. 1,000 more Polish soldiers are scheduled to go to Afghanistan in February 2010. The new troops will be dropped into the eastern area of that country. So far, 2,000 Polish soldiers have died this year. This is the most violence Poland has seen since 2001.

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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)// **
 * [[image:euro.jpg width="138" height="138"]] || The currency of Poland is the zloty. Poland is progressing to a free market economy. The Economic Reform has led to increased unemployment. 1/4 of Polands labor force is engaged in agriculture. Most people in Poland can afford their basic needs. In 1998 foriegn investment hit record levels in Poland. Poland is also a strong industrial sector. Poland has been a member of the E.U. for a very long time. They feel that Europe will be stronger if more countries in Europe have better economies. To support them, Poland has granted duty- free status to over 1,000 line items from E.U. countries.