Nordic Nations to Join EU?

Northern Shore of Reykjavík, Iceland

The EU might be expanding during this time of economic crisis:

Nordic Council report backs EU and euro entry

EUobserver – Feb 27, 2009

As the prime ministers of all the Nordic countries met in Iceland to discuss the financial crisis, a report published by the Nordic Council on Thursday (26 February) said the crisis should lead to a review of whether all Nordic states should join the eurozone and the EU.

“The experience of the Nordic countries in the current crisis ….leads to a need to review whether the other Nordic countries would be better off to follow the Finnish example and join the euro-zone,” reads the Nordic Globalisation Barometer 2009 report, Global Pressure – Nordic Solutions?

The Nordic Council of Ministers, bringing together the premiers of all the Nordic countries as well as delegations from associate members Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Aland Islands, is currently meeting just outside Reykjavik for its second annual globalisation forum.

Finland is the sole Nordic nation to belong to both the EU and the eurozone. Sweden and Denmark are also members of the bloc, but have maintained their domestic currencies. Norway and Iceland remain outside both.

Although this year’s themes were intended to be innovation and climate change, the focus has been hi-jacked by the mounting economic crisis, with the Icelandic venue for the meeting only highlighting the situation, as delegates passed “Liquidation” and “Closing Down Sale” signs plastered on shops surrounding their hotels.

Also focussing minds at the event, the Swedish krona fell to a fresh all-time low against the euro on Wednesday.

The report, authored by Christian Ketels of the Harvard Business School and the Stockholm School of Economics, reflects the views of the authors and not the official line of the Nordic Council.

“The Nordic countries will have to discuss whether the changes in the global economy suggest more fundamental changes in their economic policy architecture,” it said. “The balance of costs and benefits from operating an independent currency and staying outside the European Union might have shifted.”

The prime ministers themselves, all personally backers of both euro and EU membership, spent time discussing their options on Wednesday, but, apart from Finland, face considerable political obstacles on the EU path.

“We find ourselves in the situation where Sweden in 2003 held a referendum [on the euro] and the answer was ‘No.’ The party chair [of the governing coalition senior partner, the centre-right Moderate Party] has said that he understands that to be a ’10-year No,’ and the opposition leader said she also doesn’t expect a return to the question until 2014,” Sweden’s prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, said.

“However, the crisis has effected considerable change,” he added. “So we are following the ongoing discussions in Denmark very closely.”

A referendum on the introduction of the euro in Denmark is expected some time ahead of the next general election, due in 2011.

“We have announced we want a referendum at some point in this term of office,” Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters. “But the question is when, and we need clarification of the situation first, which means how the Irish referendum falls out.”…

Norway’s premier, Jens Stoltenberg, issued a curt “We lost a referendum on the EU and so it is not on the agenda now.”

Oslo has held two referendums on the matter, one in 1974 after negotiating an accession agreement and another in 1994. Both times membership was narrowly rejected.

Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir said that as part of the coalition agreement her centre-left Social Democratic Alliance had signed with the far-left Left Green Movement, the current caretaker government would not apply for membership of the EU.

“But let’s see what happens after the elections,” she said. “At the same time, we need 30,000 Icelanders to demand a referendum.”

Nordic Council secretary-general Asgrimsson, asked about previous remarks that Iceland would join the EU by 2015, said: “I believed it then and I believe it even more now.” http://euobserver.com/9/27684

I reported many months ago that I felt that the crisis in Iceland may drive it to seek EU membership (see Iceland Crumbling: EU its Hope?).

The crisis must be perceived as quite serious in the Nordic countries for leaders from all of them to somewhat publicly consider this step (they recently indicated that they may need a joint military to quell possible unrest, see New Nordic Military for Civil Unrest?). Whether all of those nations will join or not is another question.

But what this news item helps demonstrate is that a new economic leader for the world is forming and many are trying to determine if they should become part of it. No longer are nations looking towards the Anglo – American nations as much for leadership, especially when nations are willing to consider giving up much of their sovereignty to be part of the European Union.

The Bible clearly prophesied that a massive economic colossus would form in the end-time in the area of the old Roman Empire–essentially where the European Union now is. These prophesies are coming to pass, which also provides even more reason to understand that the prophesies involving the rise of the Beast and the Antichrist are also getting closer to coming to pass.

You need to watch and pray. Notice what Jesus said:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Events leading to the rise of the Beast, the False Prophet (Antichrist), and the Babylon warned about in the Book of Revelation are lining up. I intend to continue to strive to watch and pray myself and to bring to this website key news events that may help those who will heed all of the Bible’s admonitions “to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man”.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Modern Nations and God’s Ancient Plan Many peoples are mentioned in the Bible. And other than the fact that the modern nation of Israel represents the ancient kingdom of Judah, do you know who any of these people are now?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind?
Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament?