Your Opinion
The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.
The tension between less populated states and states with large populations, such as California where I live, is a fact of life in the United States and is a reality with which the EU will always have to contend. The problem in the US has been more or less solved by allowing power to be shared based on population (the House of Representatives in the US Congress) and by allowing power to be shared based on individual state representation (the Senate in the US Congress). Poland is not accustomed to having to work with other nations in the manner expected by the EU. Smaller nations like Poland must develop their diplomatic skills and must learn to make strategic alliances within the EU to advance their agenda. -- G. Randel, US
The countries in Europe that are serious about their membership within the EU may want to form closer integration and cooperation, while countries like Britain, Poland and others may want to stay in the outer group. Of course this may eventually lead to a change in financial contributions for the ones that pay and the ones that receive. It sounds fairer than the present system. -- Adam, Canada
I want to express my deep concern and disappointment of Angela Merkel's behavior during the summit. Isolating Poland during the summit and continuing the session without Poland had nothing to do with common values and solidarity. It was an example either of brutal pressure or a lack of the solidarity that Germany talks so much about. Other members like Portugal or Slovenia understand more about freedom of opinions, negotiations and consensus within the EU than the powerful presidency of Germany. This is what EU means for me as a Pole: Solidarity, freedom and common understanding. -- L. Wojtowicz, Poland
As a new member of the EU, Poland would be wise to try to fit in. A backlash would hurt Poland like in the past. A lot of Europeans want to move forward and have no time for such backward thinking. -- D. Noack, Canada
British and Poles were right. German domination must be stopped. Comments about Britain and Poland from the German press are sickening. -- Maria, Australia
From the articles I have read (I don't know the whole scope of the new agreement but), it appears to say "to hell with what the people of Europe want, we socialists know best." It could be a very disturbing trend toward less power by the people and a rise of a socialist aristocracy. -- L. Thrash, USA
Why should the European Union pay much attention to what Britain and Poland say? Poland is still stuck in the time warp of World War Two, and Britain is working as an agent provocateur for the US. Both Poland and Britain do not serve the interests of the European Union, but have their own agendas. Blair has been the cause of a lot of disruption in the EU and now has a partner in Poland. If Poland is complaining about its population that was decimated in World War Two, why did it open hidden concentration camps on its own territory? Poland has been wrong and will continue to be wrong as long as it digs up the recent past. -- K. T. Tellis, Canada
I cannot believe that the two brothers represent the opinion of the Polish people. Maybe they should go and get a life, if you know what I mean! -- Hans, US
This is no way to build trust and friendship in this rather unfriendly atmosphere. But the big brother in the US allows the Polish premier to say unfriendly words on the EU voting reform without having to fear economic consequences. -- G. Gosau, Canada
Yes, for me it's thumbs up! The almost impossible was accomplished through skillful diplomacy. Britain with Blair put the road blocks, but was outsmarted. Poland cannot distinguish between patriotism and nationalism. Maybe future leaders will realize that if they are not prepared to give and take, they'll isolate themselves. -- E. Heptner, USA
The EU is better off without countries like Poland, which not just hold the EU back, but increase the likelihood of its disintegration. The EU has to be a union of like-minded nations. Poland is not one of those, and nor is England for that matter. -- C. Ranaweera, Canada
