The European Union looking for the Future. New Forms of Accountability and Governance

Author(s): Oana Emiliana TATARCAN / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

The European Union is more capable than any of its Member Stats, individually to meet the major challenges of the XXI century. It is a political and economic partnership that represents a unique form of cooperation among sovereign countries. The challenges can only be properly understood or addressed in a regional and global context. EU decision-making processes and the role played by the EU institutions vary depending on the subject under consideration. EU interests and values common to all its Member States and their defense on the international scene can be more effective with a common, the European approach, rather than a single voice in each state.

The »Soft Power« of Small Countries: Kosovo Challenges and Potentials based on the Experience of Switzerland and Slovenia

Author(s): Gjenis Haxhimehmeti / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

In the period of globalization when a big number of actors are involved in international relations, there is a need for smaller countries to be focused in a specific field in order to be successful in their foreign politics. The soft power with its increased importance is attracting academic circuits and those directly involved in foreign politics of different countries. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness among compilers and executers of foreign politics in Kosovo on the capacities that Ko-sovo has to achieve a success in foreign politics by the soft power. The goal can be achieved by the use of many scientific methods like: analytical – interpretive method, hermeneutic one, comparative method all of them having a holist approach to the topic. To have a better and more understandable output the study is focused in concrete examples of Switzerland and Slovenia as a potential topic to be elaborated due to the fact that in the past the states of Western Balkan didn’t pay that much attention the use of soft power in foreign politics. Instead they used the forms of classical diplomacy that resulted with not that good image of the re-gion. Achievements of Switzerland and Slovenia by using an efficient soft power, could be a good exam-ple for Kosovo. In this case, being a crucial need, Kosovo can benefit by applying the soft power in the foreign policy.

Slovensko v nekrízovom roku EÚ

Author(s): Vladimír Bilčík / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2013

Slovenská republika a Európska únia

Author(s): Vladimír Bilčík / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2012

Increasingly Geopolitical? The EU’s Approach Towards the Post-Soviet Space

Author(s): Cristian Niţoiu / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

Throughout the past decade the policy of the European Union (EU) towards its eastern neighbours has avoided focusing on security issues. However, the Ukraine crisis had had a deep impact on the EU’s foreign policy and its approach towards post-Soviet space. It has highlighted that the EU’s eastern neighbourhood is characterised by intense geopolitical competition with Russia. The crisis also underscored the weakness of the EU’s low politics approach towards the post-Soviet space and Russia. On the other hand, Russia’s actions in Ukraine have made the member states more willing to act together and recognise Russia as a security threat. In this context, the article argues that while the EU has not always viewed its relations with Russia and the post-Soviet space in traditional geopolitical terms, the shape of the regional geopolitical structure has always influenced its policy towards the region. Moreover, the article shows how the EU has gradually embraced geopolitical competition for influence in the post-Soviet space with Russia and even confrontation with Moscow.

Inventors and Gatekeepers? The EU Member States and the European External Action Service

Author(s): Monika Sus / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

This project reflects on the ambivalence of the EU member states in their relationships with the new institutional arm of European diplomacy – the European External Action Service, headed by the High Representative. While trapped in rhetorical support for stronger and better-coordinated EU foreign policy, the member states show little willingness to equip the newcomer with political mandate and room for action, and provide a case in point for the post- Maastricht integration paradox. The main aim of this paper is to shed light on the reasons for this paradoxical behaviour. Taking into consideration the timeline 2009−2014, the article looks at patterns and dynamics of the mutual cooperation between the EEAS selected member states (Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom).

What does the European Union’s (EU’s) New Approach bring to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)?

Author(s): Edita Đapo,Ognjen Riđić / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2015

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been lacking the collective political power to address the reforms that were necessary for progress towards EU over the years. The B&H politicians could not agree upon any effective coordination mechanism on EU issues. The lack of coordination mechanism has negatively affected the country’s interaction with the EU. Beside the coordination mechanism the other political issues could not be resolved. The EU Commission intensively facilitated resolution of the Sejdić-Finci ruling of the European Court of Human Rights that B&H has to implement, but without any success. The political actors have also been unable to agree upon countrywide strategy required for Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, in sectors, such as: agriculture, energy, transport and environment. These negative developments led to a substantial reduction of funding in these areas. Political disagreements have caused economic stagnation on moving towards European standards. In February 2014, widespread, citizen-led protests have occurred. These protests have underlined the fragility of the socio-economic situation. The EU Commission has launched a New Approach for B&H towards EU aiming to shift the focus towards economic reforms and issues of direct concern to citizens. This included development of a ‘Compact for Growth and Jobs’. The Compact is supposed to be the yardstick for the necessary economic reforms. In this paper we will explain the importance of the New Approach for B&H, as well as what ‘Compact for Growth and Job’ brings to B&H.

Energy Union, a flagship project to transform Europe’s energy system

Author(s): Maroš Šefčovič / Language(s): English Issue: 1-2/2016

The work of 14 commissioners to present a coherent set of legislative measures with the intention of speedily implementing the Energy Union in 2017 is in the final stages. The Energy Union constitutes a direct response to high residential and industrial power prices, growing impacts of global warming, energy security risks of certain states and an accelerating global race for the championship of clean energy technology. It has three main priorities. First, the key priority is a fully integrated European energy market where energy flows freely across borders, based on competition and the best possible use of resources. The second priority is a climate-friendly economy that honors the principles of solidarity and trust. The third is that it promotes energy efficiency, contributing to moderation of demand whilst encouraging research and innovation.

ПОЛИТИЧКЕ СТРАНКЕ НА НИВОУ ЕВРОПСКЕ УНИЈЕ – УГОВОРНИ ОКВИР ДЕЛОВАЊА

Author(s): Zoran I. Čupić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 3/2016

Тhe paper discusses the treaty status of political parties at the EU level, from the Maastricht treaty, when the political parties became, for the first time, a treaty category, all the way to the last, the Treaty of Lisbon. In addition to the analysis of the "party article" and its subsequent genesis, special attention was paid to the struggle of Europarties (transnational party federations) for independence from the political groups in the European Parliament. In this sense, as one of the most important steps along the way, particularly emphasizes the need for legal regulation of party funding at the European level, because it is one of the most important preconditions for the realization of their treaty roles - they contribute to forming a European awareness and to expressing the political will of the citizens of the Union.

Темата "Европейски съюз" на страниците на печатните медии през първите две години от членството на България в Европейския съюз (2007-2008)

Author(s): Mariya Aleksieva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2012

This article is part of the project “Etnopsiholingvistic and Sociolinguistic aspects of media language press in Bulgaria”, financed by the Fund for Research in Ministry of Education.The purpose of the analysis is to derive the key trends and aspects of topics for the European Union, found a place in the 10 monitored by the project team daily: 24 hours Express Monitor, Telegraph, Novinar, Now Standard Diary, Word, Work and the national weekly Capital newspaper and 168 hours in 2007 and 2008. Based on the published journalistic material it is possible to draw conclusions about reflexive picture of the print media.

Eu Enlargement as Process of Peripherilisation

Author(s): Jan Muś / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2015

this text aims to answer the question of why the Western Balkans, despite development of relations with the eu and gradual integration in the common market, fell short from achieving economic success and satisfactory social standards. For this reason, author evaluates the Poland’s experience in the eu integration. the Polish model of integration, which is often referred to as a success story and a guidance for the newcomers to the eu, has three disadvantages. Firstly, it hides a number of significant social problems, which resulted in general discontent in the society, reflected, most visibly, during the recent presidential elections. Secondly, economically and internationally Poland and the Western Balkan states represent two very different cases. Finally, it is important to emphasize that the eu integration has been based on the liberal paradigm, which failed in its economic dimension, leading to (re-)peripherilisation of the new member states and their weak economies. therefore, the Polish “success” cannot be repeated in these circumstances for a number of reasons. Subsequently acceding states need to adopt another strategy for the eu accession.

Predetermined Foreign Policy – aligning national Policies of the Candidate Countries With the CFSP and CsdP: Case of Montenegro

Author(s): Srđan Orlandić / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2015

the preamble of the Montenegrin constitution states that the Montenegrins are committed to european integrations, and that they share the same values and aims with the people of europe. the government of Montenegro confirmed dedication to the european path by signing on 15 october 2007 a Stabilization and association agreement (Saa), thereby accepting responsibility for its european future. Montenegrin european path is advancing steadily and until now eighteen of thirty-five negotiating Chapters have been opened, out which two Chapters have been provisionally closed. eu Member states devoted themselves to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), as well as to the Common Security and defence Policy (CSdP), with which they are strengthening the eu’s external ability to act through the development of civilian and military capabilities in conflict prevention and crisis management. the acquis consists of political declarations, decisions and agreements, and member states must be able to support political dialogue in the framework of the policies, to align with eu statements, to take part in eu decisions and to apply agreed sanctions and restrictive measures. Montenegrin officials stated that, with respect to the eu policies vis-à-vis other third countries and regions, the country would not have difficulties in implementing CFSP and CSdP positions, yet, they expressed their commitment to be ready to fully and actively participate in the eu’s policies by the date of accession. Montenegro, also colloquially called ’the eu’s good student’, in its accession process is already aligning with the eu’s policies. this paper will conduct an analysis with respect to how and to what extent the candidate countries, i.e. Montenegro is aligning its foreign policy with the eu’s CFSP and CSdP. theoretical framework will be built around two basic alternative conceptions – state-centric governance and multi-level governance, which will establish a base for our further analysis. also, this paper will briefly present how the treaty of Lisbon impacted the CFSP and CSdP and created what we have today. afterwards, I will present all alignments of the Montenegrin foreign policy with the eu’s, with a special emphasis on the imposed sanctions in view of the situation in ukraine, due to the multi-layered ties between Montenegro and russia. all this should enable us to draw a conclusion if and to what extent eu’s CFSP and CSdP are affecting and changing Montenegrin foreign policy and its postulates.

EC/eEUMembership and Austria, Sweden and Finland: Neutrality Redefined With European Norms?

Author(s): Namchoke Sasikornwong / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2015

Based on sociological institutionalism and approaching neutrality from a political perspective, this article investigates domestic political debates on neutrality in austria, Sweden and Finland. the aim was to answer the question how their concepts of neutrality were reconceptualised in relation to european norms of peace, democracy, liberty, human rights and rule of law during their eC/eu membership applications. In the austrian case, neutrality was framed to be compatible with membership due to its same embedded normative aspects as the european norms. However, despite similar norms, Swedish neutrality was not argued to be adaptable to the european norms because of the notion of national autonomy and exceptionalism associated with neutrality. Finally, Finnish neutrality, first and foremost conceived and develop ed out of security concern, was not redefined with reference to european norms as such, but rather considered a security tool to be abandoned once the threat from the east disappeared in order to get fully integrated with the Western europe. this article comes to the conclusion that neutrality is not merely a matter of security, but also embedded with cultural dimension, resulting in different reactions with european norms, hence different interpretations of neutrality. this would in the future have a certain implication on those countries’ roles in the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Migrant mobilities in Europe: Comparing Turkish to Romanian migrants

Author(s): Steffen Pötzschke / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2015

Besides huge differences in attitudes towards the European Union (EU), it seems to be common sense in nearly all strata of EU member states’ societies that the EU created a common and seemingly borderless space of mobility for its inhabitants. Sometimes this characteristic is not only the first positive thing that comes to people’s mind when asked about the Union but also the only one. This paper investigates to which extend Turkish migrants as third-country citizens residing in EU member states make use of this mobility space in a physical and non-physical manner. Data on Romanian migrants is used to contrast these findings. The analysis builds on recent survey data on transnational activities of migrants and nationals in six EU member states (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and United Kingdom) collected by the EUCROSS study. It is found that a considerable part of the interviewed Turkish migrants visited other EU member states recently, but that, nevertheless, intra-EU mobility is less common in their case than for migrants from Romania. However, this difference can neither exclusively nor mainly be explained by the absence of European citizenship or by the residence within or outside the Schengen space.

Potreba ozelenjavanja ekonomije u Srbiji

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1/2014

This paper present extract from and promotion of study about achievements and perspectives towards a Green Economy and Sustainable Growth in Serbia. It is important to note that even at the global level there is still no uniform, generally accepted definition of the term green economy. While creating this study we have relied on the definition of “green economy” given by UNEP, while also taking into consideration the definition given by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The green economy concept is promoted as a tool to assist countries on the path to achieve sustainable development. The world witnessed that while economic growth lifted millions out of poverty, it was often at the expense of environmental and social conditions and did not benefit all. The decades in which new values and prosperity were created based on the principles of traditional economic models have not managed to fight social marginalisation and change ever-growing excessive consumption of resources. Therefore, it is important to ensure that economic growth provides benefits to society and the environment as a whole. Sustainability still remains a primary long-term goal, but additional efforts must be focused on implementing the concept of green economy if the desire is to achieve that goal. Sustainable development is an umbrella, holistic concept and paradigm which connects economy, society and environment, within which green development strategies can be viewed as an appropriate framework contributing to feasible sustainable development policies. In view of this, it is clear that green economy is something which is more specific than sustainable development.

Procena i jačanje kapaciteta lokalne samouprave: za primenu evropskih standarda u oblasti životne sredine

Author(s): Mladenka Ignjatić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1/2014

This paper presents results of the research conducted in July and August 2012 with the aim to review the situation in terms of the local government capacities assessment (problems, needs, opportunities, further activities etc.) for implementation of the policies and regulations in the field of the environment. The research was conducted by polling, i.e. interviewing of the local government representatives. The total of 28 questions was asked. General circumstance of importance for understanding of the objectives and research results is the fact that a significant part of the responsibilities for implementation of the Law was transferred to the local government units by the Laws in the field of environmental adopted in 2004 and 2009 year. Also, the research has showed certain problems in capacities of the local governments, related to the implementation of regulations in the field of environment and participating in activities related to the European integration. It is expressed an unequivocal assessment of the need for additional training of the local government representatives (in part related to the knowledge of national and EU legislation and policies in the field of the environment). In addition, it is expressed interest in participating in preparation of starting position of the Republic of Serbia for the EU accession negotiations, i.e. in the process of negotiation.On the base of the research results, it is presented an overview of the major findings and proposal of the recommendations is given at the end of the paper.

Solidarity and fairness in the common European asylum system – failure or progress?

Author(s): Bernd Parusel / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2015

On the basis of harmonised statistical data on asylum applications and decisions, this paper attempts to re-examine the state of play of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), and in particular, the two key objectives of achieving a more balanced distribution of asylum seekers across Member States (“solidarity”) and the approximation of national decision-making in asylum cases (“fairness”). It concludes that while there is evidence of unresolved challenges, such as lately with regard to the uneven reception and treatment of asylum seekers from Syria, some fragile trends of progress can be detected in terms of more uniform asylum outcomes.

Evropa po 20 letech od vyhlášení institutu evropského občanství

Author(s): Jaroslav Vencálek / Language(s): Czech Issue: 1/2013

On the 1st November 1993, the Treaty on European Union, known as the Maastricht Treaty, entered into force. Thus, institution of European citizenship was introduced for the first time. Every citizen with the citizenship of any member state became a citizen of the European Union. The resulting civil rights were later deepened by the Amsterdam Treaty. During the past twenty years the perception of human identity itself has changed due to globalization. It is no wonder that at the beginning of the 21st century the importance of citizenship in context of identity is not appreciated. This study outlines what needs to be done to make European citizenship provide to citizens of member states of the European Union much more than what is apparent from their legal anchoring. The author proceeds from the assumption that European citizenship is closely linked with civil territorial identity. Its strengthening broadens possibilities of participation of people in public life and thus contributes to the development of civil society. The stronger one perceives genius loci (genius regionis) and the human connection with the space, the greater is his ability and willingness to be open to the world.

Austrian Energy Security and its Position Towards European Integration

Author(s): Matúš Mišík / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2013

The paper deals with Austrian position towards deepening of integration in energy security area within the European Union. It utilizes theoretical approach based on three challenges of energy security (external, intra-EU and business challenges) to explore support or opposition towards the integration. The paper is based on 15 semi-structured interviews with Austrian senior officials as well as energy experts from think-tanks. The results support the claim that the rather neutral position of Austria towards deepening of integration in energy security area at the EU level is caused by the ability of the country to successfully deal with all three energy security challenges.

Making light of borders The case of the external EU border

Author(s): Bastian A. Vollmer / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2012

The notion of borders will be questioned in this paper by depicting an ethno-graphic journey from which a counter-discourse emerged, a discourse that con-tradicts with the currently acknowledged discourses of borders. Border dis-courses are dominated by security and threat, by the meaning of the bulwark that surrounds nation states in physical, legal, political and ideational terms. Scholars have examined borders from various different perspectives and within the framework of different disciplines; academic discourses have emerged over the years (such as on securitisation), while national governments across the globe as well as the European Union (EU) attempted to seal their permeable borders. They have introduced ever more legal obstacles and enforcement measures to put their goal into practice: preserving sovereignty. The commonly acknowledged discourses on borders will not be challenged per se in its exist-ence, but empirical data will be used to demonstrate a different account of the notion of borders. This account makes light of the notion of borders as travel-lers followed their every-day business and dealt with the bulwark of the EU, the EU external border, with ease and amusement.