Членството в ЕС и икономиката на България

Author(s): Georgy Ganev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

The goal of the present study is to delineate one possible framework for analyzing the economic effects of Bulgaria’s membership in the EU, as well as to offer initial observations informing the analysis. The analysis concentrates on the internal dynamic of Bulgarian economic indicators in their relation to the country’s EU membership and is based on the method of the analytical narrative. The initial analysis offered uses to focus levels – macroeconomic and microeconomics, and tries to account for the importance of both the membership and pre-accession periods. The assessment with respect to both the macroeconomic indicators and to various microeconomic processes is undoubtedly positive.

Победители и губещи: промените в структурата на българската икономика в последното десетилетие

Author(s): Latchezar Bogdanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

The period before Bulgaria’s accession to the EU was marked by high rate of economic growth. Both final consumption and fixed capital formation are factors that contributed to this growth. During that period a sizable net inflow of foreign capital was recorded, in the form of foreign direct investment and new debt accumulation of the private sector. These trends persisted throughout the first two years of the EU membership. The global economic crisis led to a sharp contraction of investment activity in Bulgaria, with the employment falling for four consecutive years. The impact of the crisis, combined with the effect of the common market resulted in considerable shifts in the structure of the economy. In 2015 the industry already had the highest share in the gross value added. The share of some manufacturing sectors in the exports of goods have risen by 500% or even 800% during the last decade. The role of export-oriented business services also significantly increased, becoming a key job creator in recent years.

Финансова децентрализация: състояние и перспективи

Author(s): Yavor Alexiev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

The deteriorating state of municipal budgets creates a number of obstacles to their use as a tool for policy-making. The discontinued fiscal decentralization process and some of the recent attempts to address the problem of increasing indebtedness among local authorities created prerequisites for an increase in the local tax burden, while prospects for improving the fiscal situation of municipalities are still lacking. The structure of municipal expenditures shows an increasing importance of the absorption of EU funds and a continuing dependence on the decisions of the central government. The relocation of personal income tax proceeds back to municipalities seems the only viable alternative within the existing tax system.

България в европейската социална политика: интеграция на практики, дезинтеграция на модели

Author(s): Tatiana Tomova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

This article’s aim is to assess the progress in social policy field made after the Bulgarian EU accession. Due to the European Social Policy’s peculiarities, this change - to a great degree – depends on internal factors and especially on the abilities of the Member-States to formulate specific goals and handle tools that are relevant to their own problems and to obtain favorable results. Based on strategic documents analysis, as well as on a comparison of social indicators, the thesis that the European Social Policy does not alternate the accession market model of social policy, set in early post-communist transition, is argued. This model generates a growing inequality -- before as well as after the social transfers. In the same time, during the decade of Bulgaria’s EU membership a favorable trend of poverty reduction is observed. However, it cannot compensate the country’s lagging behind the other Member-States in the social policy field. The needed stark progress ought to pass through a reformulation of the already adopted Social Policy model.

Доколко ефективни са европейските структурни и кохезионни фондове?

Author(s): Dessislava Nikolova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

The record of the biggest net beneficiaries of EU structural and cohesion funds and the review of related literature show that the effects of these transfers on the national economy are not necessarily positive and depend on a myriad of other factors. According to some studies, the impact of EU funds can be even negative on the recipient country under certain circumstances. If net beneficiaries wish to benefit most from these transfers, there are two approaches that can be taken – separately or cumulatively. Firstly, these countries can channel the EU funds to projects that help strengthen local institutions such as initiatives for e-government, open and objective judiciary, administrative streamlining, effective law enforcement and the like. Secondly, the beneficiary country, parallel to utilisation of EU funds, should not shelve reforms that aim to achieve a better institutional environment. If none if these approaches is taken, recipients of EU funds face the risk of putting an excessive focus on absorption of EU funds, at the expense of freezing or delaying much-necessary reforms.

Десет години европейско членство: дефектна демокрация, зависими институции

Author(s): Atanas Slavov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1-2/2017

This article is focused on the effects of EU membership of the country in ten years perspective. The study analyzes institutional and legislative reforms, related to the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, establishing independent regulatory and controlling bodies for fighting political corruption and conflict of interests. These issues are studied in a comparative regional perspective taking into account the tendencies and phases in developing democratic institutions (their consolidation, stagnation and erosion). Institutional reforms are analyzed in the light of common European standards for strengthening the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary as well as taking in the light of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. The conclusion builds on the idea that legislative reforms are necessary, but not sufficient in achieving common democratic standards for independence and accountability of key institutions. These reforms need to be complemented by inclusion of important stakeholders and active participation of civil society actors in the process.

Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-8 July

Author(s): Ioana Caloianu / Language(s): English Issue: 07/13/2020

Highlights from our coverage region: commemorations for Srebrenica; Chechen exiles antsy after killing; curfew protests in Belgrade; alleged MP kidnapping in Moldova; plague in Mongolia.

Commentary: Three Lessons in Chaotism

Author(s): Martin Ehl / Language(s): English Issue: 11/02/2020

What remains of public trust in the state is vanishing as the pandemic roars back into Central Europe.

Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-Monday, 12 October, 2020

Author(s): Ioana Caloianu / Language(s): English Issue: 10/19/2020

Regional headlines: elections in Tajikistan and Lithuania; Belarusian president meets jailed opposition; crackdown in Khabarovsk; and military games in Serbia.

Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-Tuesday, 13 October, 2020

Author(s): Ioana Caloianu / Language(s): English Issue: 10/19/2020

Regional headlines: coronavirus in Czechia; EU sanctions for Minsk and Moscow; state of emergency in Bishkek; an “earthquake bomb” in Poland; and nuclear energy in Romania.

Ukraine’s International Obligations in the Field of Mother-Tongue-Medium Education of Minorities

Author(s): István Csernicskó / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

On September 5, 2017, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine voted for the Ukrainian Law “On Education”. Around Article 7 of the Law, discussions broke out, which gradually turned into one of the most acute conflicts in both internal political life and the external relations of Ukraine. The conflict rose from an internal to an international level when Hungary blocked the organization of high-level political meetings between Ukraine and NATO. The present paper examines Ukraine’s obligations in the field of mother-tongue-medium education of minorities. Kyiv had assumed such obligations with the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Based on the official reports of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of Council of Europe bodies from 2017, the paper also examines how Ukraine fulfils its international obligations in this area.

Стратегия „Хоризонт Европа“ 2021–2027 – нова възможност за развитие на научните изследвания

Author(s): Radka Petrova Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2020

Creating innovations means also the pursuit of effective research and development activities which to include both research and educational institutions and business organizations, that are the main users of innovations. Bulgaria has the capacity to carry out R&D in terms of human potential, but does not have sufficient own financial resources to invest in it. In this regard, the programs developed by the EU to promote innovation activity in the Member States are useful for Bulgaria. This article examines the extent of absorption of the funds allocated under operational programs for innovation activity in Bulgaria for the period 2014 – 2020, as well as the place of Bulgaria among the other Member States in regard to the average level of the innovation index. Attention is focused on the research opportunities under the new EU Framework Program – „Horizon Europe“.

Book review

Author(s): Theodora Saltidou / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2020

GEOPOLITICS OF NEAR-SPACE: INCREASING NATIONAL POWER THROUGH SPACEPLANE DEPLOYMENT

Author(s): Bekim Nuhija,Sami Mehmeti,Stefani Stojchevska / Language(s): English Issue: 03/2021

With the delimitation of airspace and outer space being a continuous issue, various arguments intend to analyze the viewpoint of the geopolitics of near-space being considered neither as part of Astropolitik, nor the geopolitics of airspace. Consequently, a comparative methodology in regards to the multidimensional objectives of geopolitics is followed: (1) evolving a theoretical military basis of spaceplane deployment; (2) examining the natural background of the geopolitics of near-space; (3) constructing the ‘history-future’ relation of the geopolitics of near-space; and (4) analyzing the increasing of America’s national power through spaceplane deployment. Principle results obtained from the theoretical comparative methodology consequently determine the fundamental establishment of the geopolitics of near-space.

Overview of the Trade Relations Between the European Community/Union and the United States at the Threshold of Globalization and Post-globalization Era

Author(s): Rett R. Ludwikowski / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2020

The main goal of this article is to present to the European reader the implications of the unstable relationships between the United States and an integrated Europe. The article focuses on the trade relations between the US and Europe in the globalization era. It explains the meaning of some basic terms used by trade experts, such as globalization, regionalization, glocalization, and strategic trade. The author also tries to explore the reasons for the recent crisis of global trade. The main part of the paper reviews the major disputes between these two regions which resulted in postponing of the negotiations of the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement. As we have observed in the introduction of the article, the relationships between the European Union and the United States have always been complicated and the article presents the main reasons for these disagreements. In a time of renewed Trans-Atlantic negotiations, pro-American sentiments in Europe grew stronger, and European experts on trade and politics emphasized that the US significantly increased support for the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI). Still, with comments repeated by President Trump many times that “Europe needs its own army”, the European media began warning the readers that the crisis in US-EU relations may soon return.

The Influence of Populistic and Protectionist Policy of the Trump Administration on the Treatment of Foreign Nationals Applying for Immigration Benefits

Author(s): Anna M. Ludwikowski / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2020

The article focuses on the obstacles to legal immigration imposed by the Trump administration against those who are already in the US pursuant to their valid non-immigrant classification and those who are abroad and trying to reunite with family members in the US or seeking entry having a legitimate job offer from a US employer. Recent changes in US immigration policy have been achieved through restrictive interpretation and enforcement of existing law by the USCIS which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and by the State Department (DOS) rather than by substantive legislative changes done in Congress. The article provides an overview of the most recent governmental restrictions affecting so called “business immigration” and family-based immigrant processing, and also restrictions on suspension of entry to the US due to Covid-19, introduced through presidential proclamations. Although the federal courts blocked several of these administrative initiatives, the anti-immigrant atmosphere is having a big negative impact on many groups of foreign nationals. Nationalistic notions of “making America great again” that should be accomplished through “buy American and hire American” principle, and legal uncertainty causing ongoing federal lawsuits will undoubtedly lead to America’s further isolationism if President Trump wins the November 2020 election.

Wielka Brytania wobec bezpieczeństwa militarnego Polski i państw bałtyckich w XX i XXI wieku

Author(s): Łukasz Jureńczyk / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The aim of the paper is to analyze and assess the attitude of the United Kingdom towards the military security of Poland and the Baltic States in the 20th and 21st centuries. The first part of the paper discusses the involvement of Great Britain in ensuring the military security of Poland and the Baltic States in the 20th century, including, in particular, their preservation of independence. The second part of the paper presents the activities of the British to strengthen the military security of these countries in the 21st century, especially in the context of the crisis in Ukraine and the military threat from Russia. The main research question is whether Great Britain's activities to ensure the military security of Poland and the Baltic States in the 20th and 21st centuries were significant and effective in achieving this goal? The main thesis of the paper is that the UK activities in the 20th century to support the military security of Poland and the Baltic States were insignificant and only partially effective. Nowadays, however, the United Kingdom is one of the NATO countries that have been most involved in strengthening the military security of the Alliance's eastern flank countries. The British security policy is primarily conditioned by a pragmatic approach typical of the theory of realism. The method of text source analysis was used in the paper. It is necessary to conduct further research, especially regarding the current activity of Great Britain to ensure the military security of Poland and the Baltic States.

Krytyczne uwagi dotyczące bezpieczeństwa infrastruktury krytycznej

Author(s): Mirosław Banasik,Julia Maria Bagińska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2019

The notions of infrastructure and critical infrastructure in particular are ambiguous and in most cases do not take into account the consequences of threats. The aim of the article was to present the results of research on evaluation of critical infrastructure security theory. The article presents interpretations of the notion critical infrastructure and its author's definition. It clarifies the security determinants of critical infrastructure and points to the key elements determining its security.

Wojna informacyjna - złożona przeszłość i niepewna przyszłość

Author(s): Piotr Daniluk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2019

The article presents evolution, state and attempts to determine the future in the area of information wars. The presented arguments were accompanied by the assumption that the information war is the broadest concept including cyber war (psychological warfare), psychological warfare, radio war, propaganda war or even the net war. This was demonstrated by a brief historical, institutional and normative-doctrinal analysis. On this basis, an attempt was made to determine the structure of the information war based on the criterion of the type of communication, assuming L. Ciborowski's right at the tactical level that there is no information without its transmission. The presented trial forecasting the development of the information war in the near future was accompanied by the greatest fears related to the convergence of the information and space spheres.

Kształt i problemy polityki cyberbezpieczeństwa ASEAN

Author(s): Paweł Soja / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2019

The ongoing process of increasing digitalization of life in Southeast Asia brings new challenges for local integration centred around the ASEAN organization. Its countries face new type of problems related to the question of adoption a coherent approach to cyberthreats and elimination of so-called digital gap between them. ASEAN’s leaders traditionally perceive cyberspace as a tool of continuous development of common market and ASEAN economy. Therefore, most of the group’s current activities, which are initiated at the community level, aims at protecting and bolstering this area. The article presents institutional and law mechanisms incorporated so far by ASEAN to create basis of common cybersecurity policy within organization. This process is growing slowly, but gradually and carrying on regardless of the diverse technological capacities between countries, their available resources or different priorities towards cybersecurity policy.