This topic has been suggested as a branch of the topic concerning Australia's status as a constitutional monarchy. Thanks Saintfletcher let's get it started.
We are told by some politicians that Australia 'needs to become part of the Asian region'. Asia however tends to view as a European country in a geographically isolated position. We are viewed as guests or visitors at their forums and not as 'part of the family'.
Would Australia's role in the world be enhanced if we applied to be a surrogate member of the EU or should we keep trying to be accepted as a full member of the Asian, particularly the South-East Asian community as this is where we are geographically located?

i know a lot of ozzies would like to tow oz into the english channel, but sorry, we're here to stay. tell yer kids to study mandarin and/or bahasa indonesia.

"surrogate" eu member? i think you mean associate. either way, they don't want you. look, yer grandkids are going to be light brown, get used to it. it won't be so bad, i remember what ozzie cuisine was like 35 years ago.

DEMOS, what makes you think that the EU does not want us our membeship, associate, surrogate or whatever? Many of us have very close ties with EU citizens, some even have dual citizenship.

Good point Comunicat. I wonder how many responses there will be?

The EU grows every year. Once Russia and Turkey join the EU, as they aspire to, this brings the EU line over a part of "Asia".

To be European does not mean that you are "white" in the 21st century.

As the EU grows, to be European is also not a clear geography.

In terms of culture, a modern European standard brings together pluralism in an agreement of EU countries.

We share with them an idea of dignity. The standard is not to lower living standards but to endeavor to always raise them in every possible way. Standards include minimum wages, less exploitation, health, education and economic responsibility. The EU Parliament also raises human rights standards.

In a system of dignity, European standards allow for many member nation to have a Monarchy, a Republic and some EU countries have hybrid systems recognising both.

Increasingly people will come to a conclusion that what makes a person "European" has nothing to do with race in contemporary times. Have you seen London lately? Being "European" has little to do with a specific geography in these times. Look at Russia and Turkey.

As Russia and Turkey work so hard to be part of the EU; it is perplexing that Australia hasn't caught on yet as to who and what we are. In the most contemporary way you can identify as "European" in such a membership, under a new concept of a European identity.

You can see now why so many humanitarians are now reviewing how they see the importance of the British Monarchy. This could be our last chance to secure our family reunion. That is a good reason why this is not the time have "Republican" aspirations.

It is time to come home to a bigger family with the help from the Royal Family.

Sorry but the thread is at best amusing.
The idea that we can become part of the EU is funny but idiotic.
We could not join if we wanted to and who wants to?
We only need look to America to see a nation based on WASP can survive while remote from England.
However we in this thread get the chance to understand not every thing we say, do or think is right always.
Amusing but unlikely.

Geographically we are further removed from Asia than are parts of Europe. Turkey being in both.
Just thought that I'd throw that in before someone says that we are in Asia.
In reality we ought to apply to become the 51st State of the Union of the United States of America.
We have closer ties with the USA than with most of Europe.

Not sure you are right Belly - the idea was touted when the EU was first set up and it has never entirely gone away. It is the blinkered insistence on trying to be something we are not and never will be (i.e. Asian) that has prevented Australia from even attempting to decide what it really is.
We are an essentially European nation isolated by physical geography. The vast majority of Australians are of European descent and that is not going to change now or in the foreseeable future (unless of course you believe that we are going to be overrun by our neighbours to the north).
We are missing out on market opportunities everywhere(not just in Europe) by the failure to look beyond the narrow minded focus on South East Asia, China and Japan as the only places where we can do real business. We do almost no business with the Indian sub-continent, Africa or South America and the EC is moving in to those regions to ur detriment.
Our "Asian" focus is also denying our children the right to learn about their cultural literacy and the languages of their forebears. Of course it is good to know about other cultures...but not good if we do not know about our own. With the added emphasis on maths and science there is no time left for children to gain the knowledge they need to understand even the most common references to our own past and yet they can tell you about a religious festival in Indonesia in great detail.
Some people think it does not matter but others do.