#95 Money Talks. Mapping the funding for EU external migration policy

Author(s): Leonhard Den Hertog / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2016

This paper examines the role of funding in the EU’s external policies on migration, borders and asylum. Academic analysis has looked extensively into the political and legal resources of the EU in this area,but surprisingly little attention has been paid to the role of funding in the governance of this cooperation with third countries. The objective of this paper is first to understand what EU funds are involved and which actors are setting priorities for funding in the field of migration, borders and asylum. This is a highly technical field of EU governance, characterised by complex political and legal dynamics. The funding landscape is fragmented and incoherent, with limited coordination, but this incoherence can be understood in light of the broader political, sociological and institutional struggles that come to the fore in the setting of priorities for funding. This paper argues that a certain degree of incoherence is an inevitable characteristic of EU governance in this field. The bigger issue is the challenge posed to accountability by this EU funding.

(POSSIBLE) IMPACT OF CETA ON CREATION OF LAW

Author(s): Ondrej Blažo / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2017

The paper brings an analysis, and possible solutions, regarding “threats” to regulatory sovereignty of the parties to the CETA. Hence technical trade barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, regulatory cooperation, liberalization of services and protection of investors are focal points for estimating future development of legal regime in both the EU and Canada. The analysis assesses only “possible” impact of the CETA because it will be subject to ratification and the outcome of this process is insecure.

A breakthrough year in relations between Turkey and the European Union – an attempt to take stock

Author(s): Mateusz R. Chudziak,Krzysztof Strachota / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2016

September 2016 marks the passing of one year has passed since the outbreak of the EU migration crisis which became the basis of unprecedented co-operation between Turkey and the EU. Paradoxically, although this co-operation in containing the crisis has proven surprisingly effective, the climate of Turkish-EU relations has significantly deteriorated. This situation comes in part as a result of internal tensions in Turkey (and within the EU). However, genuine changes in the power relations between Turkey and the EU have occurred and Turkey feels that issues it attaches importance to are not being appropriately addressed by the EU—the frustration this causes has been even more instrumental in the deterioration of relations. This shift in relations between Turkey and the EU also stems from Turkey’s aspirations to emancipate itself in its relations with the West; there has been an upward trend in this regard for years. The instruments the EU has so far been employing in order to put Turkey under pressure (above all the EU integration process) are losing their effectiveness, which is in stark contrast with Turkey’s emancipation and assertiveness. However, irrespective of the present and future inevitable tensions in Turkish-EU relations, Turkey’s aim is not to break off with the EU but to develop a new model of strategic relations which better serves its own interests. Despite the recent rapprochement with Russia, Ankara seems to be aware of a lack of alternatives to strategic co-operation with the EU and, more broadly, with the West.

A COMPARISON OF POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMPETENCES OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL ACTORS (AN ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURES OF SLOVAKIA AND UKRAINE, CONTEXT, AIMS)

Author(s): Irina Dudinská,Michal Cirner / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

It would be easy to say that all cooperation ultimately depends on people. People don’t know borders, and so they will overcome all obstacles if cooperation is desired. Cross-border relations and cooperation have been with us since time immemorial, but their intensity and quality depend on several factors. These are quite well described in theory, and without deeper knowledge it would occur to almost everyone that geographical, cultural, historical proximity, economic interconnection or mutual advantages are strong attributes of cross-border interactions. In this sense, nothing should stand in the way of cross-border cooperation between the Slovak Republic and Ukraine. However, there is a whole line of obstacles. International anchoring and political development play no small role in the forming of bilateral relations. Additionally, the functioning or non-functioning of public administration in a given country is also determined by political development and geopolitical evolution. The compatibility of systems of public administration, together with the setting of political systems, is a good springboard for the successful cooperation of all levels and components of public, private and non-governmental sectors across the border.

A Conservative Europe: Kramp-Karrenbauer’s Vision of Integration

Author(s): Sebastian Płóciennik / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2019

The future of Europe, according to the chairwoman of the German Christian Democrats, is a free market, no-superstate EU that is able to play a greater role in the world. Her manifesto is not only a reaction to another French offensive in the area of European politics but also an ideological offer of cooperation to potential allies from Northern and Central Europe.

A farewell to open borders? The Danish Approach

Author(s): Peter Hobbing / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

Migratory pressure from abroad and populist trends in Europe have already put considerable stress on borderless Europe, despite the open borders being one of its most precious achievements. But what in the past could be seen as annoying yet temporary disturbances attained an entirely different character under the Danish initiative launched in early May 2011. The move to install permanent controls, including customs houses and video surveillance, alarmed not just Brussels but also travelers and business associations EU wide. Even though the new government has since banished the nightmare by repealing the border measures, one should still not sound the ‘all clear’ signal. With populist parties all over Europe, similar scenarios are likely to arise elsewhere.

A new opening in relations between the EU and the Western Balkans

Author(s): Marta Szpala / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2018

The EU-Western Balkans summit held on 17 May in Sofia – the first such event since 2003 – is one example of the EU’s increasing interest in the Balkan states which aspire to membership. On 6 February, the European Commission presented its new strategy for its Western Balkans policy. Its desire to become more closely involved in the region has also been indicated by visits from the EC President Jean-Claude Juncker and the head of the European Council Donald Tusk to all the countries in the region during recent months. This activity on the part of EU institutions has been accompanied by actions targeted at the Balkans by member states under the aegis of the Berlin process, which focuses on economic cooperation. This new dynamic in the EU’s policies towards the Western Balkans is the result of a growing awareness in Brussels of the risks resulting from the crisis in the enlargement policy, which is the EU’s main instrument for ensuring lasting stability in the region.

A reality check for Moldova-EU relations

Author(s): Oktawian Milewski / Language(s): English / Issue: 5/2020

By mid-2020, and one year after the fortuitous change of political power in Chișinău (after the politician/oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc fled the country in June 2019), the state of Moldovan-EU relations has continued to be plagued by the same structural institutional pathologies for at least the previous three to four years: systemic corruption, state capture, shady transactions, divisive political identity, beleaguered institutions, legal nihilism, endemic poverty, and the list goes on.

A REFERENDUM ON THE UNKNOWN TURK? Anatomy of an Austrian debate

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2008

Around the world, the quality press has been reporting for weeks on the run-up to theAustrian referendum on Turkish EU accession. In London, The Guardian writes: “In 1683, Turkey was the invader. In 2015, Austria still sees it that way.” A commentator in The Financial Times notes: “For many Austrians it is as though the Janissaries were even now aiming their cannon at the gates of Vienna.” The Austrian press (“Siege Mentality”, “The Return of the Turks”, “Bulwark Austria”) and the Turkish media (“The Walls of Vienna”, “Will Vienna fall?”) are awash with military metaphors. || There has never been any doubt about the outcome of the referendum. For more than a decade, Eurobarometer polls have recorded no more than 10 percent support among Austrians for Turkish accession. With the exception of the Green party, all political parties represented in parliament have campaigned for a ‘no’ vote. It is the inevitability of the result which fascinates some (and shocks others). Vienna 2015 will replace Vienna 1683 as a global metaphor for the eternal confrontation between Christian and Muslim Europe.

A SENDING COMMUNITY IN THE FACE OF A MIGRANT CRISIS. MOŃKI CASE STUDY

Author(s): Barbara Cieślińska / Language(s): English / Issue: 10/2019

The article presents results of the study carried out in Mońki, which is a town characterized by high intensity of economic emigration. The study was conducted in 2016, during the so-called the migration crisis, i.e. the increased influx of immigrants and refugees to the countries of the European Union. Although the wave of this influx did not reach Poland, but the migration crisis has become an important social issue, especially in the mass media. Our survey shows how being a member of an emigrant sending community affects the attitude towards receiving immigrants and refugees.

A tool for health system description. Diagnosing the Polish system

Author(s): Włodzimierz Cezary Włodarczyk / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 2/2019

The article presents the thesis that there is information available in the public sphere on the basis of which the situation in the Polish health system can be diagnosed. Such a diagnosis would make it possible to identify the problems experienced by patients as ailments and other problems which may lead to missing the chance of positive impact on the health condition. Since the study is focused on and confined to the diagnosis of problems, especially those perceived by patients as limiting, and leaves their explanation to be considered further, the range of sources is necessarily restricted. The following sources are indicated: WHO reports, European Health Consumer Index reports, Centre for Public Opinion Research (Pol. CBOS) reports, National Health Fund (Pol. NFZ) annual reports, WHC BAROMETER results and OECD documents. On this basis, it can be argued that a serious problem for the system is the multi-cause perception of the patients’ failure to meet their health needs, long waiting times for specialist consultation, diagnostic tests and hospitalisations, shortage of time and attention devoted to patients, issues of equal treatment of patients and – oftentimes – dissatisfaction with the functioning of the system. After formulating the outline of the diagnosis presented in this text, considerations were made aimed at explaining the revealed problems.

A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP. Why Turkey’s EU Accession Process Will Continue

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2010

One area where the EU has discriminated against Turkey has been in the field of visa-free travel. This suggests an obvious way to show that EU conditionality vis-à-vis Turkey remains “strict but fair”: to offer Ankara a visa roadmap similar to that which has been given to Western Balkan countries. Once the roadmap requirements are met, Turkish citizens should be able to travel to the EU without a visa. Visa-free travel to the EU is a right enjoyed by Central Europeans (since the early 1990s) and by most people living in the Western Balkans (since 2009). The EU already promised it to Turkey under the 1963 Association Agreement. A credible visa liberalisation process would provide tangible evidence to ordinary citizens that the EU remains committed to a future integration perspective. It would also be a useful tool to advance the implementation of non-discrimination policies and promote further improvements in Turkey‟s human rights record, bringing down still high rates of asylum requests granted to Turkish citizens in EU member states. Such a reform process would be a win-win proposition for the EU and Turkey and a big shot in the arm for the accession process.

ACTION AREAS OF THE LABOUR MARKET POLICY IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Author(s): Aleksandra Lozanoska,Elizabeta Djambaska,Natasha Daniloska,Diana Boshkovska / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

The contemporary challenges of the socio-economic development are imposing more or less the same essence of the labour market policy areas and instruments in the developed countries, as well as in the developing countries. They are directly dependent on the implementation of structural reforms aimed at stabilizing the economies and fostering economic development. Concerning this, the paper is analyzing the areas for implementation of the labour market policy and activities in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as in the European Union, regarding the challenges of the contemporary society. They relate to the work of the institutions responsible for creating and implementing the labour market policy, the legislation relating to its functioning, labour force statistics and information system. The analysis is determining the target groups of the labour market and is giving certain recommendations and guidelines for possible future actions and measures that can ensure employment growth, reduction of the unemployment, and provide more efficient functioning of the overall labour market.

Administracja polska wobec problemu migrantów po 2015 r. Kluczowe kwestie prawne i polityczne

Author(s): Andrzej Plasecki / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 5/2019

Over the course of Polish history, successive waves of migrants strengthened the country’s potential (16th century). In the 19th and 20th centuries, the emigration of Poles (including those of Jewish origin) had a negative impact on Poland’s politics and economy. Yet the post-2015 migration issue is an entirely new experience indeed. As regards migrants, the Polish state administration operates on the basis of reasonable and coherent regulations which provide for the application of the EU standards in the Republic of Poland. The situation of migrants in Poland and the Poles’ attitude towards them is mostly defined by the politics of the ruling party (Law and Justice). It is characterised by xenophobia, which makes reasonable problem-solving impossible. In addition, the party’s politicians often exaggerate the migrant problem in order to ensure ad hoc gains (e.g. on the voting day).

Agency and Structure Revisited with Youth Responses to Gendered (Spatial) Mobilities in the EU

Author(s): Sahizer Samuk,Tabea Schlimbach,Emilia Kmiotek-Meier,Celia Diaz,Laura Díaz-Chorne,Volha Vysotskaya,Birte Nienaber,Monica ROMAN,Laura-Mihaela Mureşan,Ioana Manafi,Markus Däubler / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2020

Young people involved in geographical mobility face diverse gendered mobility settings and gender inequalities. How do the youth involved in diverse mobility types deal with adverse circumstances caused by gender beliefs and gender prejudices? To answer this question, problem-centred interviews with young people (18-29) are analysed using Grounded Theory. These young people are European citizens and they are involved in five mobility types: higher education, employment, voluntary work, vocational education and training, and entrepreneurship. We apply Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998) categories (iterational, projective and practical-evaluative) to the analysis of gendered mobility narratives as unequal gender perceptions reveal themselves in the context of different types of youth mobility. The analysis allows to see the ways young people reflect on their actions: refusal of gender beliefs, acceptance or rejection of gendered prejudices, individual vs. collective solutions, demand for equality in numbers, comparison of gendered workplaces and assumption of leadership in initiating mobility. At the same time, we observe how geographical mobilities can increase the critical sensibility of youth towards gender inequalities, contributing to new conceptualisation of agentic responses to structural constraints.

Agonistički pristup raspravama o budućnosti demokratije u Evropi

Author(s): Biljana Đorđević / Language(s): Serbian / Issue: 4/2018

The paper addresses the issue of complementarity between theoretical construct of agonistic democracy and left-wing populism in the works of Chantal Mouffe. Left-wing populism strategy has been implemented by Syriza, Podemos and France Insoumise. One of the premises of left-wing populism is that the radical right has been a front runner in offering an alternative to the alienated post-political and post-democratic political system claiming that it brings politics back to the people (e. g. FPÖ in Austria, Front National in France). This is one of the reasons why agonists advocate the return of the politics that establishes a clear political frontier (left-wing populism v. right-wing populism) so that the conditions for agonistic contestation and democratic alternatives can be created as well as that democratic actors can be encouraged to engage in the struggle over power and occupation of the political institutions.

Agricultural and Organic Farming Production in the Analysis of Social Well-Being in the European Union Countries

Author(s): Agnieszka Stanimir / Language(s): English / Issue: 68/2020

The study aim is to determine the relationship of factors associated with production of organic food and the quality of life (QoL) of Europeans. The QoL and organic agriculture are not one-dimensional variables related to behavior, reactions and relationships, regarding individuals, households, producers and farmers. In addition, these factors interact with each other. We intend to determine whether the QoL of Europeans is perceived by them only in terms of ownership, or whether issues related to the assessment of the condition and status of agricultural and organic farming production affect the perception of QoL in a non-material psychological aspect. The study mainly assessed the QoL in relation to subjective well-being based on self￾assessment of Eurobarometer respondents (life satisfaction measured on 5-point Likert scale). The data for the study comes from the EUROSTAT and Eurobarometer databases for EU-countries in three groups. The analysis uses correspondence analysis and Hellwig's ordering method as main tools to detect relationships and similarities between the countries. In the study we checked whether the assessment of QoL is done by shaping individuals’ opportunities in life, not only with respect to the state of ownership but also the impact of objective factors, such as agricultural production volume.

Agricultural and Rural Capital Markets in the EU Candidate Countries: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey

Author(s): Štefan Bojnec / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

This paper analyses agricultural and rural capital factor markets in the three European Union candidate countries: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia and Turkey. Aggregate capital market indicators and their dynamics, and factors driving agricultural and rural capital markets are analysed and compared in these countries. In general, agricultural and rural capital markets show similarities with general capital market developments, but agricultural and rural capital markets are facing specific credit constraints related to agricultural assets and rural fixed asset specificities, which constrain their mortgages and collateral use. Credit market imperfections have limited access to the investment credits necessary for there structuring of small-scale individual farms. Government transfers are used to differing extents in the candidate countries, but generally tend to increase over time. Remittances and donor funds have also played an important role in agricultural and rural economy investments.

Agricultural and Rural Labour Markets in the EU Candidate Countries of Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey

Author(s): Štefan Bojnec / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2011

This paper provides an overview and comparison of labour markets in agricultural and rural areas inthe three candidate countries for the EU membership: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. We analyse and compare the labour market structures and the factors drivingthem. The analyses are based on the available cross-section and time-series data on agricultural labour structures and living conditions in rural areas. Considerable differences are found among the candidate countries in the importance of the agricultural labour force, between rural and urban labour, and in poverty and living conditions in rural areas. Agricultural and rural labour market structures are the result of demographic and education processes, in addition to labour flows between agricultural and non-agricultural activities, from rural areas to urban ones and migration flows abroad. Declines in the agricultural labour force and rural population are fore seen for each of the candidate countries, but with significant variations between them.

Aktywne metody walki z bezrobociem w krajach Unii Europejskiej

Author(s): Marianna Księżyk / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 3/2004