Yearbook of Slovakia's Foreign Policy 2009
Yearbook of Slovakia's Foreign Policy 2009
Author(s): Peter Brezáni
Contributor(s): Martin Firák (Translator), Rebecca Murray (Translator), Rastislav Majorský (Translator)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Social Sciences, Economy, Energy and Environmental Studies, Sociology, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Evaluation research, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Socio-Economic Research, Politics and Identity
Published by: Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
Keywords: 2009; Slovakia; EU; Russia; NATO; foreign policy; foreign minister; international relations; Eastern partnership; V4 presidency; politics; economy; crisis; Corfu Process; North Atlantic Alliance; institutional changes; energy; gas; Ukraine;
Summary/Abstract: If the foreign policy of any state is to be successful it must have its own form, its own language and be part of public – institutionally framed – discourse. There is, however, no such ‘institutional umbrella’ covering all those responsible for the formulation and implementation of our foreign policy as well as those in Slovakia who are not indifferent to it. Moreover, there is often little will to open such an umbrella ‘over’ our foreign policy. Even the political parties do not pay much attention to foreign policy and thus issues of foreign policy are only occasionally part of the general public discourse. It is, however, the open, coherent and constant exchange of views, opinions, know-how, arguments from experience and/or long-term plans among the groups mentioned that play a crucial role in planning foreign policy. All of these reasons keep convincing us that we need to regularly evaluate where Slovak foreign policy currently is, which important events occurred in the preceding year and what challenges lie ahead of Slovakia in the near future. The Yearbook is in this regard a unique forum primarily focused on Slovakia´s foreign policy. The book provides space for those who make decisions and practically implement them as well as to those who care a lot about the future of foreign policy, such as researchers active in academic circles, think-tanks or non-governmental organizations. The Yearbook is a unique project entering another decade of its existence. It has been contributing for eleven years – and successfully, we are convinced – to the development of a tradition of regular evaluation and analysis of Slovak foreign policy and supporting the cultivation of foreign policy thinking in Slovakia. The publication represents an important, yet at the same time, solitary, and indeed limited, printed book resource keeping record of the development of Slovakia’s foreign policy and the discussion on its further orientation. The Yearbook assesses 2009 as a year rich in events. In 2009, Slovakia celebrated the fifth anniversary of her EU and NATO membership as well as the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. At the same time it was the very first year of entering the Euro Zone. 2009 will also be remembered as a year of important institutional changes within the EU as well as in its practical operation; a year in which we once again elected our representatives to the European Parliament or one in which the Union got its new President and Foreign Minister. Implementation of the Eastern Partnership program was commenced and the integration project in the Balkans continued. In 2009 discussion on NATO’s new Strategic Concept started, while that on Afghanistan still continued. Within the OSCE Slovakia was very actively participating in the organization’s revitalization. It was also a year when debate on mitigation of the impacts of the economic and energy crisis and their associated challenges predominated. A year, then, of another stage in the improvement of the institutional framework of Slovak foreign policy. In the context of all of these events and their impacts on our foreign policy, the second decade of the Yearbook opens with an assessment of our line of action and a presentation of our objectives and interests in the international environment, continues with an analysis of the realization of the priority areas of our foreign policy and is concluded with an assessment of the efficacy of the instruments required for its implementation. The analytical assessment is again supplemented by an evaluation/ presentation of the Foreign Ministry’s representatives. The Yearbook offers all this to the somewhat limited degree characteristic of such publications. The Yearbook opens for the third time with a survey presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His text evaluates and presents the problems and aspects of Slovakia’s foreign policy that are analyzed in depth by other authors in the Yearbook. Thus the reader is given a unique opportunity to examine the ‘same issue’ from different angles in one publication. The expert section of the Yearbook starts with a text analyzing Slovakia’s performance in an international environment. The first contribution, which by tradition is that of Vladimír Bilčík of the Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SPFA), covers the crucial events of Slovakia’s performance in the EU – the issue of representation and operation of the key EU institutions as well as a reflection on the first five years of Slovakia’s EU membership. It analyzes the positions and tasks of the Slovak Republic before and during the European Parliament elections, and in the creation of the European Commission as well as those connected with the process of adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon. It also offers a brief summary of the key issues important for Slovakia’s successful performance within the EU in the upcoming period. The security aspects of our foreign policy are assessed by Matúš Korba from the Center for Security Studies. In his text he analyzes the growing disproportion between the political ambitions of Slovakia within NATO and our real military capabilities that is connected with the internal crisis of the reform process within the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, which was even further exacerbated in 2009. The OSCE revitalization, the future of the European security debate and Slovakia’s role in it are all evaluated by Marcel Peško, the Permanent Representative and Head of the Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Vienna. The section on Slovakia’s performance in an international environment is concluded by a contribution by Milan Lapin, a prominent Slovak climatologist. In his article attention is mostly paid to the assessment of knowledge and activities that were carried out in 2009 and relate to climate changes and variability, including the Fifth National Communication of the Slovak Republic on Climate Change. The second part of the book, devoted to the priorities of our foreign policy, opens with a text by the Director-General for Economic Cooperation and ODA at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Radomír Boháč. In his analysis, he focuses on the fulfillment of a re-established priority of our foreign policy – the economic dimension of Slovak diplomacy – in the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the challenges stemming from it. Urban Rusnák, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic’s project on the External Energy Security of the Slovak Republic, reflects on the gas crisis of January 2009 as well as measures taken in the field of Slovak legislation and infrastructure on the level of national government as well as on the EU level. The analysis of Slovakia’s Central European activities was, as always, written by Tomáš Strážay, an RC SPFA analyst, who reassesses the cooperation principles and mechanisms aimed at rendering cooperation more intensive and more efficient. He also identifies and evaluates the most important challenges faced by the V4 presidency taken up by Slovakia. The key aspects of the Eastern Partnership program, its bilateral and multilateral components, Slovakia’s involvement in it as well as our bilateral activities in relation to the Eastern Partnership states are presented by Juraj Marušiak, a researcher at the Institute of Political Science of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The final expert section devoted to instruments of foreign policy opens with a contribution by Ján Mihálik from Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia (PDCS) and Peter Brezáni from the RC SFPA, who concentrate their attention on the state of one of the most important bilateral instruments in Slovak foreign policy – development cooperation. The authors offer their perspective on practical fulfillment of objectives set within the official ODA documents, attempt to provide a summary of activities relating to Slovak development cooperation in 2009 as well as a set of recommendations intended to increase the quality and efficiency of Slovak ODA. The expert section concludes with a text by Ondrej Gažovič from the Institute of European Studies and International Relations of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at Comenius University in Bratislava, who evaluates the year 2009 as a year that had brought several factors contributing to clarification of this part of the foreign policy concept against the background of conditions in the Slovak Republic as well as to its institutionalization and practical implementation. The expert chapters are traditionally supplemented by annexes such as a chronology of important foreign policy events, a list of international treaties, information on the structure and representatives of state bodies operating in foreign policy, a list of diplomatic missions and representatives of the Slovak Republic abroad, a list of diplomatic corps in the Slovak Republic, information on military missions abroad etc. We firmly believe that the first issue of the Yearbook in the second decade of its existence will once again find a readership and serve all those who are interested in the past, present and future of Slovakia and her foreign policy. In conclusion, we would kindly like to express our gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic for its cooperation on this project and its support as well as for the fact that thanks to this support we are able to continue building on this much needed tradition.
Series: Yearbook of Slovakia's Foreign Policy
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-80-89356-12-6
- Page Count: 260
- Publication Year: 2010
- Language: English
Editorial
Editorial
(Editorial)
- Author(s):Peter Brezáni
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Editorial
- Page Range:5-8
- No. of Pages:4
- Summary/Abstract:If the foreign policy of any state is to be successful it must have its own form, its own language and be part of public – institutionally framed – discourse. There is, however, no such ‘institutional umbrella’ covering all those responsible for the formulation and implementation of our foreign policy as well as those in Slovakia who are not indifferent to it. Moreover, there is often little will to open such an umbrella ‘over’ our foreign policy. Even the political parties do not pay much attention to foreign policy and thus issues of foreign policy are only occasionally part of the general public discourse. It is, however, the open, coherent and constant exchange of views, opinions, know-how, arguments from experience and/or long-term plans among the groups mentioned that play a crucial role in planning foreign policy. All of these reasons keep convincing us that we need to regularly evaluate where Slovak foreign policy currently is, which important events occurred in the preceding year and what challenges lie ahead of Slovakia in the near future.
Slovak Foreign Policy in 2009 Through the Eyes of the Foreign Minister
Slovak Foreign Policy in 2009 Through the Eyes of the Foreign Minister
(Slovak Foreign Policy in 2009 Through the Eyes of the Foreign Minister)
- Author(s):Miroslav Lajčák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
- Page Range:9-18
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:2009; Slovakia; foreign policy; foreign minister; EU; economy; energy; security;
- Summary/Abstract:The year 2009 could be, without much exaggeration, labeled a year of extraordinary challenges and important issues. On January 1, 2009 Slovakia joined the Euro Zone, but since immediately afterwards we faced an unprecedented energy crisis, there was hardly any time left to celebrate this economically and politically significant step. Three organizations we regard as exceptionally important decided to substantially change their way of operating or to prepare such changes. Although it was not easy, the European Union finally completed the process of ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon successfully. The North Atlantic Alliance came to terms regarding the elaboration of a new Strategic Concept. Discussion on the future of European security within the framework of the Corfu Process was also launched by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. All three large-scale processes were going on against the background of an issue that last year as possibly the most important challenge of all – the global financial and economic crisis. It forced us to partly reassess our original priorities for 2009. All available capabilities including those of the Slovak Foreign Service were directed at mitigating the impact of the crisis and at searching for efficient solutions. As the global financial and economic crisis will probably redraw not only the economic, but also the world’s map of political influence and power, besides operative tasks we also needed to raise several strategic and conceptual issues. Besides the issues and challenges just mentioned some other topics could also be listed that directly influenced the interests of the Slovak Republic. The crises of the previous year were changing our view of the Central European region as well as of Europe’s position in the world. The Eastern Partnership project was commenced, discussion on the Danube strategy was intensified, NATO was further enlarged and some ‘old new’ and completely new EU institutions were created. As well as that the world and Slovakia were at the same time discussing the impacts of climate change, the Iranian nuclear program and the stabilization of Afghanistan. Last but not least, the general improvement in the international atmosphere that followed when the new American administration came into office and the emphasis that it puts on rendering the tools of multilateralism more efficient should not be disregarded.
Slovakia and the European Union in the Year of Institutional Changes
Slovakia and the European Union in the Year of Institutional Changes
(Slovakia and the European Union in the Year of Institutional Changes)
- Author(s):Vladimír Bilčík
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International Law, International relations/trade, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, EU-Legislation
- Page Range:21-34
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:2009; Slovakia; EU; institutions; changes; treaty of Lisbon; european commission;
- Summary/Abstract:In 2009 Slovakia’s performance in the European Union was dominated by two themes: the changing structure and functioning of key EU institutions and a broader reflection of the first five years of the country’s EU membership in the context of new political and economic crises. This study provides a brief analysis of Slovakia’s preferences and roles during and after the European Parliament elections, in the formation of the European Commission and in the approval of the Lisbon Treaty. The study also offers a reflection of policy priorities of the Slovak Republic (SR) and its agenda resulting from the energy and economic crises. The study concludes with a summary of themes that are important for Slovakia’s successful performance within the EU in the near future.
The North Atlantic Alliance and Slovakia in 2009
The North Atlantic Alliance and Slovakia in 2009
(The North Atlantic Alliance and Slovakia in 2009)
- Author(s):Matúš Korba
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Security and defense
- Page Range:35-51
- No. of Pages:17
- Keywords:2009; Slovakia; North Atlantic Alliance; perspective; NATO; politics; priorities;
- Summary/Abstract:In 2009 the North Atlantic Alliance commemorated the 60th anniversary of its establishment. It celebrated its anniversary as historically the most successful and most efficient intergovernmental military and political organization. The list of NATO’s achievements in the four decades of the cold war era and in the two decades that followed round the turn of the century is very impressive. Against this, the realities of the present-day global security environment and the situation within the Euro-Atlantic space do not let the North Atlantic Alliance, already in existence for sixty years, have any rest. In the area of international relations in 2008 and 2009 there were several important events with direct impact on security and stability in Europe. In February 2008 most NATO Member States recognized Kosovo’s independence only then to witness the August 2008 recognition of Abkhazia’s and Southern Osetia’s independence by the Russian Federation. The change of Serbia’s state borders created a dangerous precedent that was subsequently exploited by the Russian Federation in its conflict with Georgia. The North Atlantic Alliance thus witnessed the first local war going on in its Eastern neighborhood. The violation of Serbia’s and Georgia’s territorial integrity due to recognition of their separatist regions’ independence contributed partly to increasing geo-political tension and became the beginning of a new stage of security relations in the old continent. The European security architecture is, due to this phenomenon, faced with yet another crucible and must in practice demonstrate the reason for its current ‘design’. The fundamental institutional element of this architecture is NATO, which in order to preserve security and stability in Europe, must respond to global influences and regional security threats and adapt as soon as possible to changing conditions. The level of security in Europe depends upon the efficiency of such an adaptation and any delay in doing so makes the old continent come back to a situation as unstable in political and security terms as that of the mid-90s of the previous century. The supreme political representatives of the Member States are well aware of the necessity to quickly and efficiently adapt the Alliance to the new situation and were throughout 2009 discussing the issues of the next stage of the Alliance’s transformation. Developments within NATO pressed individual Member States to join the transformation process and on the military level to continue the reforms of their armed forces. The question of how Slovakia went about the challenges is clarified in the pages below.
The Corfu Process – an Opportunity to Establish a New Security Arrangement in Europe or just Another Stalemate?
The Corfu Process – an Opportunity to Establish a New Security Arrangement in Europe or just Another Stalemate?
(The Corfu Process – an Opportunity to Establish a New Security Arrangement in Europe or just Another Stalemate?)
- Author(s):Marcel Peško
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Security and defense
- Page Range:53-68
- No. of Pages:16
- Keywords:Corfu Process; security; Europe; OSCE; Moscow; Russia; NATO;
- Summary/Abstract:It is generally agreed that the discussion on the new security arrangement in the Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian space was launched by the speech of President Medvedev delivered in Berlin in June 2008.1 In the speech he proposed that a European summit be called to approve a mandate for talks on a legally binding European Security Treaty (EST). The objective of such an agreement would be to guarantee a real unification of Europe without any dividing lines. Medvedev’s initiative needs to be seen in a larger sense as another form of security concept the ultimate goal of which is to achieve ‘equal interaction between Russia, the EU and the US’ in the new era of security developments in Europe. Moscow’s strategic objective is to minimize NATO’s influence and at the same time to legitimize Russia’s dominant position within the post-Soviet space. This strategy also includes the weakening of the OSCE and its ability to respond to what is referred to as ‘interference in internal affairs’ in the context of the frozen conflicts, violation of commitments in the field of human rights and other deficits of democracy in Russia herself.
Climate Changes and Climate Variability in the World and in Slovakia. Prior to, In and After 2009
Climate Changes and Climate Variability in the World and in Slovakia. Prior to, In and After 2009
(Climate Changes and Climate Variability in the World and in Slovakia. Prior to, In and After 2009)
- Author(s):Milan Lapin
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Energy and Environmental Studies, Evaluation research
- Page Range:69-81
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:2009; climate; changes; variability; world; Slovakia; greenhouse effect; causes; Copenhagen; summit;
- Summary/Abstract:The terms and facts connected with climate changes and climate variability are often at the center of attention. This is especially the case where various weather anomalies occur. With regard to the fact that the non-professional public (and sometimes even the professional one) is not aware of long-term climatological averages or the characteristics of climate variability, cases of weather that, in relative terms, occur quite frequently are sometimes regarded as significant anomalies. The following text is first and foremost devoted to climate changes and climate variability dependent on time. The variability of climate elements may be dependent on space as well, but in that case climate changes and variability are never referred to. In this paper attention is mostly paid to the assessment of knowledge and activities that were performed in 2009 and relate to climate changes and variability, including the Fifth National Communication of the Slovak Republic on Climate Change.
Mitigation of Impacts of the Crisis on Slovakia – A Priority of the Slovak Foreign Service
Mitigation of Impacts of the Crisis on Slovakia – A Priority of the Slovak Foreign Service
(Mitigation of Impacts of the Crisis on Slovakia – A Priority of the Slovak Foreign Service)
- Author(s):Radomír Boháč
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:85-101
- No. of Pages:17
- Keywords:2009; Slovakia; crisis; mitigation; priorities; Foreign service; economy; legislation; economic diplomacy;
- Summary/Abstract:A historically new situation testing economic theories, political, economic and financial models as well as the international institutions is coming into existence due to the financial and economic crisis. It is therefore logical that in general the Slovak government continues to shift its attention in the field of implementation of foreign policy towards the current issues of economic diplomacy. Nowadays the role of state foreign policy does not only consist in creation of the favorable i.e. first and foremost safe external environment needed to achieve the national interests of state. An increase in the importance and in many cases even dominance of economic issues in the area of international relations is now actually present. In 2009, too, the basic framework of the Foreign Ministry’s activities, besides the external factors determined in the first place by the crisis, was also based upon the general characteristics and given facts of Slovakia’s economic environment. In 2009 the struggle to mitigate the impacts of the crisis on Slovakia became a priority activity of the Foreign Ministry. Internal, organizational and conceptual modifications were all introduced to address the objective mentioned. The changes helped us concentrate upon several major areas of our activities, namely: • activities within the European Union; • increase in the cooperation and coordination of all players active in the area of external economic relations; • support for pro-investment and pro-export promotional activities abroad; • the search for best experience and practice of other nations; • intensified operation and activities within international organizations aimed at achieving greater increase in economic value thanks to the advantages of our membership; • proactive dialogue with businesses; and • creation of Slovakia’s modern image abroad. Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only limited powers (representation of Slovakia’s interests abroad or representation in international organizations) to engage in processes going on in the field of economics, our activities in the field of economic diplomacy in 2009 undoubtedly contributed to the elimination of negative impacts of the crisis. Unlike the other partners we have no direct instruments at our disposal (such as state assistance, operational programs, taxes, levies, incentives, contributions etc.) which could be employed to support the activities of businesses and the instruments of development assistance can only be exploited indirectly.
Discontinuation of Russian Natural Gas Supplies through Ukraine to the EU in January 2009: An Ancient Drama or Just a Marginal Episode in the Natural Gas Market?
Discontinuation of Russian Natural Gas Supplies through Ukraine to the EU in January 2009: An Ancient Drama or Just a Marginal Episode in the Natural Gas Market?
(Discontinuation of Russian Natural Gas Supplies through Ukraine to the EU in January 2009: An Ancient Drama or Just a Marginal Episode in the Natural Gas Market?)
- Author(s):Urban Rusnák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Energy and Environmental Studies, International relations/trade
- Page Range:103-119
- No. of Pages:17
- Keywords:Russia; gas; supply; discontinuation; Ukraine; EU; 2009;
- Summary/Abstract:The key place in the field of energy security belongs to knowledge of the technical capabilities of the existing infrastructure. To better understand the essence of the issue connected with the natural gas disputes between Ukraine and Russia it is useful to familiarize oneself with the infrastructure of the natural gas industry, and with the technical as well as the business procedures of natural gas exports from the Russian Federation.
Visegrad and its ‘Soft Power’: the V4 Developments of 2009 Reviewed and Priorities of the Upcoming Period Outlined
Visegrad and its ‘Soft Power’: the V4 Developments of 2009 Reviewed and Priorities of the Upcoming Period Outlined
(Visegrad and its ‘Soft Power’: the V4 Developments of 2009 Reviewed and Priorities of the Upcoming Period Outlined)
- Author(s):Tomáš Strážay
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Evaluation research, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation
- Page Range:121-132
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:2009; Visegrad; "soft power"; V4; presidency; priorities;
- Summary/Abstract:An evaluation of the Visegrad Four’s activities in the past months may be condensed into the following three statements: the V4 is becoming an increasingly efficient form of regional cooperation in Central Europe, an increasingly dynamic regional platform within the EU and an increasingly sought after partner for cooperation in neighboring regions of the Eastern Neighborhood and Western Balkans. The common denominator for all three statements is the emphasis on the positive dynamism of V4 development. The intention of the present paper is not just to evaluate the activities performed within the V4 format, but also to analyze the major aspects or areas of cooperation as well as to outline development trends for the upcoming period of time. Cooperation within the V4 is multilayer and certain abridgements have been, in view of the limited extent of the text, necessary. The first part of the present paper is therefore focused on the most significant activities carried out in the area of foreign and security policy during the latter half of the Polish presidency as well as under the Hungarian one. The second part of the present paper concentrates on reassessment of the cooperation principles and mechanisms aimed at rendering cooperation more intensive and more efficient. The closing part of the present paper identifies and evaluates the most important challenges faced by the V4 presidency taken up by Slovakia on July 1, 2010.
Slovakia and the Eastern Partnership
Slovakia and the Eastern Partnership
(Slovakia and the Eastern Partnership)
- Author(s):Juraj Marušiak
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Evaluation research, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
- Page Range:133-160
- No. of Pages:28
- Keywords:Slovakia; eastern partnership;ENP Plus; Russia; EU;
- Summary/Abstract:The very first time that the idea of Eastern Partnership came up at all was May 2008. At the time it was a joint initiative presented by Poland and Sweden. The project, which was outlined as the Eastern dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and which also included ambitions to exceed its original scope, was rendered possible thanks to the change in policy of France, which during her EU Presidency in 2008 sought, through the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean, to reinvigorate the so-called Southern dimension of the ENP. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) program also resulted from the pressure exerted by some of the new EU Member States, including in the first place the V4 countries and the Baltic States. These EU Member States referred to the need for a specific approach to the EU’s Eastern neighbors i.e. the states situated between the Eastern border of the EU and the Russian Federation. During her EU Presidency in the first half of 2007 Germany, just like the V4 countries, also adverted to the need to differentiate between ‘Europe’s neighbors’ and ‘the European neighbors’. This was reflected in the European Commission’s report of December 2006 on ‘strengthening the European Neighborhood Policy’, also referred to as the ENP Plus.
Development Cooperation and Slovakia in 2009
Development Cooperation and Slovakia in 2009
(Development Cooperation and Slovakia in 2009)
- Author(s):Ján Mihálik, Peter Brezáni
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Evaluation research, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation
- Page Range:163-181
- No. of Pages:19
- Keywords:Slovakia; 2009; development; cooperation; national program; multilateral; trilateral; assistance; humanitarian assistance; SlovakAid; Slovak ODA; economy;
- Summary/Abstract:The year 2009 was, from the point of view of Slovak official development assistance (ODA or Slovak Aid hereafter), the first year of implementing the new Medium-Term Strategy for Official Development Assistance of the Slovak Republic for the years 2009-2013. It was also significant for the efforts to take steps in the desired strategic direction. On the other hand, it also bore the consequences of the hectic transformations made in the previous years as well as of continual personnel changes. Ostensibly it could even be labeled a year of search for a sure footing for the very first step in the direction set by the Medium-Term Strategy. What is, however, left out of this orientation are important pillars such as properly determined systems, a personnel base, evaluations and expert discussion to enable the specific practical implementation of plans. It was at the same time the last year before the expected milestone represented by a commitment to be achieved by Slovakia and other new EU Member States adopted by the Council of the European Union, i.e. to earmark 0.17% of their GDP for development assistance in 2010. All indicators show quite unambiguously that the obligation (just as with the other countries) will not be met on our part. The year 2009 was, inter alia, a year when the winds of the global economic and financial crisis were seen for the very first time within the ODA budget. This was distinctly in evidence as the national budget for 2010 was being drafted: the volume of funds earmarked in the draft budget for the project part of development cooperation was, compared with 2009, reduced by 60%, while several ministries did not plan any financial means at all for development cooperation of their own. Finally, the issue of climate change impacts on our ODA was fully broached in 2009. Although not visible at the moment, a new priority broke into Slovak development assistance that will in an important way influence Slovakia’s thinking in the area of development assistance in the coming years.
Public Diplomacy in 2009
Public Diplomacy in 2009
(Public Diplomacy in 2009)
- Author(s):Ondrej Gažovič
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Evaluation research
- Page Range:183-200
- No. of Pages:18
- Keywords:2009; Slovakia; diplomacy; public diplomacy; foreign policy; institutional framework; evaluation;
- Summary/Abstract:The year 2009 could be, from the point of view of Slovak public diplomacy, labeled a breakthrough year. It was precisely the previous year that had brought several factors contributing to clarification of this part of the foreign policy concept in the conditions of the Slovak Republic as well as to its institutionalization and practical implementation. The concept of public diplomacy was consistently included in Slovak foreign policy discourse in 2009. The other side of this statement consists in the fact that many related issues still remain unsettled. Regular reviews published annually in the Yearbooks of Slovak Foreign Policy represent a good opportunity to survey the first steps taken in the field of Slovak public diplomacy and also provide room to consider the challenges and opportunities it faces.
A Chronology of the Important Events in Foreign Policy in 2009
A Chronology of the Important Events in Foreign Policy in 2009
(A Chronology of the Important Events in Foreign Policy in 2009)
- Author(s):Rebecca Murray
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:203-210
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:important events; 2009; politics; foreign policy; chronology;
Treaties, Agreements and Conventions published in 2009
Treaties, Agreements and Conventions published in 2009
(Treaties, Agreements and Conventions published in 2009)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International Law, International relations/trade
- Page Range:211-218
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:2009; treaties; agreements; conventions;
Structure of the State Administration Authorities Acting in International and European Affairs in 2009
Structure of the State Administration Authorities Acting in International and European Affairs in 2009
(Structure of the State Administration Authorities Acting in International and European Affairs in 2009)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:219-227
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:international relations; Europe; state administration; authorities; structure;
List of the Embassies of the EU, NATO Countries and Some Other Countries
List of the Embassies of the EU, NATO Countries and Some Other Countries
(List of the Embassies of the EU, NATO Countries and Some Other Countries)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:228-237
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:Embassy; list; EU; NATO; countries; other countries; Slovakia; 2010;
- Summary/Abstract:The Embassies in the Slovak Republic and Their Heads as of February 2010
List of Consulates in the Slovak Republic
List of Consulates in the Slovak Republic
(List of Consulates in the Slovak Republic)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:237-238
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:consulate; list; Slovakia;
List of the Embassies of the Slovak Republic, Permanent Missions, Consulates General and Slovak Institutes Abroad
List of the Embassies of the Slovak Republic, Permanent Missions, Consulates General and Slovak Institutes Abroad
(List of the Embassies of the Slovak Republic, Permanent Missions, Consulates
General and Slovak Institutes Abroad)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:239-244
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:embassy; list; Slovakia; mission; consulate; Slovak Institutes; abroad;
List of the Consulates of the Slovak Republic Headed by the Honorary Consuls
List of the Consulates of the Slovak Republic Headed by the Honorary Consuls
(List of the Consulates of the Slovak Republic Headed by the Honorary Consuls)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade
- Page Range:245-250
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:consulates; list; Slovakia; consul; honorary conslus;
Numbers of the Members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in Peacekeeping Missions
Numbers of the Members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in Peacekeeping Missions
(Numbers of the Members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in Peacekeeping Missions)
- Author(s):Martin Firák
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Security and defense
- Page Range:251-251
- No. of Pages:1
- Keywords:Armed Forces; members; numbers; Slovakia; peacekeeping missions;
Authors
Authors
(Authors)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Essay|Book Review |Scientific Life
- Page Range:253-260
- No. of Pages:8