The speakers demonstrate interest. Which ones do you agree or disagree

with? Why? What do you think?

Dieter (Germany): I am very optimistic about the New Europe. Now that the cold war is over, the opportunities for peace and prosperity are enormous. Not straight away, perhaps – it will take several years to solve some of the economic problems in the East, for example. Europe must be united to compete with Japan and America in future. “Together we stand, divided we fall” – that is what the proverb says, isn’t it?

Laszlo (Hungary): I think your views on Europe depend on where you live and how much you earn. Reach people in the West can afford to feel confident and idealistic. Here in the East, though, things are different. We are Europeans but poor Europeans, and it is going to stay that way for quite a while. Freedom is wonderful but it is just the beginning. Food, secure jobs and clean air are the immediate priorities here. Maybe, when we have got those we will feel more hopeful about the future.

Craig (Britain): I support cooperation between European countries but I don’t support the idea of a ‘United States of Europe” – some kind of super-state with a central government, because each country should keep its basic independence. That’s how it always been in the past and I just don’t see an advantage of changing now. If Europe had one language and culture like America, may be it could work. That’s not reality though. We are friends and allies, but there is no point pretending we are all the same. We are not.