>>>>>
>>>>>Is that possibly a Belgian POV? I don't get the impression every country in Europe believes so much in central management. The English, for example.
>>>>
>>>>1. the UK isn't in the Euro zone
>>>>2. it isn't a POV. Just a reality check
>>>
>>>
>>>OK. I will leave any further comments to Europeans. You're there, I'm not.
>>
>>Jean is correct - more and more the local ruling body has to implement european guidelines into local laws.
>
>Local ruling body being what exactly? The governments of Germany, Spain, Norway, etc.?

Mostly yes, as the guidelines fall unto the jurisdiction of the national(german federal) parliament (not enough knowledge to talk about other countries). Some legislation falls under german usage to the state level (16 small states in germany) which have to pass laws implementing those rules.

>I am still trying to get my head around the concept of something like "Europe has declared war on Iran."

Currently I guess it would take a 9/11 comparable action against one of the bolder countries for something akin to that, on the whole it is currently more a debating club and military can be counted to be sent mostly for humanitarian/peacekeeping tasks. AFAIK currently the country would go to war and perhaps get help from other countries bound by treaties. In another 12 or 20 years it might be different, but currently there is no chance for a local "Busch" to steer the whole EU singlehandidly into war.

regards

thomas