Lietuvos integracija į Europos Sąjungą: ekonominė politika ir visuomenės nuomonės pokyčiai

Abstract

Membership in the European Union – this is not a final result, but only one of the many steps. Lithuania, as any other country having become a member of the European Union, further faces different social, economic and political transformations. This is reflected in changes of societies opinion on European Union and internal policy as well. Lithuanian economic commitments to the European Union is crucial regarding support of Lithuanian society to the integration policy. Successful and what the most important, on time Lithuanian entering into Economic and monetary union – most significant step of economic integration. Membership in Economic and monetary union, for which Lithuanian is being prepared and which is being planned for the start of 2007, will mean cancellation of the council of currency and introduction of the new rules on monetary policy. It could be considered that joining of the Economic and monetary union is one of the most significant questions of the agenda of economic policy. Even though Lithuania has an obligation to become a member of euro zone as it set out in the agreement on entering the EU, and in this respect has no such a possibility to choose as United Kingdom or Denmark, the principal question on strengths and weaknesses of euro zone to compare with currently existing system is widely discussed in Lithuanian society. It has to be stressed that on this beforehand mentioned question the opinions of Government and society are the most different, so that is the reason why the economic public opinion model has been chosen and purpose raised – to discus results of implementation of economic policy programme of Lithuanian integration to the EU and to submit public opinion on analysis of vicissitude of membership in European Union and find out the measures of influence. Trying to find out influence of Governmental policy on public opinion about European Union generally and in particular on integration of Lithuania into Economic monetary union, first of all using logic-analytic method have been analyzed development of common idea of European Union theoretical background and integration of Lithuania into European Union from the beginning of formal relations until decisions of the last and discussions on introduction of euro. Trying to find out current public opinion students of history faculty of Vilnius pedagogical university have been surveyed using questionnaire. Results of the survey allow to state the most significant influence on public opinion on Lithuanian membership in European Union has satisfied or not expectations related to membership in European Union. Generally the main conclusion of this graduation work could be worded as that instruments of Governmental policy makes more impact for euroscepticizm nor contractual obligations.