Airstrip One

A Marriage made in Hell - 22nd March 2003, 20.50

Slovenia is voting on joining both the EU and NATO tomorrow. Its Trade Ministry is very proud of the fact that Slovenia has a higher GDP per capita than either Portugal or Greece and points out that its macroeconomic indicators are just as robust as EU members. Then comes this odd phrase: One only discrepancy is rather striking - Slovenia imposes significantly high taxes on workers with low wages. This is not a discrepancy. This is a hallmark of richer countries in the European Union as they price their unskilled labour out of the job market.

They are uncertain about NATO because of the war but they love the EU. The two deserve each other.