Around the Bloc: Poland’s Tusk Takes Over Top EU Post, Moldova’s Pro-West Alliance Likely to Retain Power
Plus, the pope urges Turkey to open doors to Armenia, and a new Russian convoy enters eastern Ukraine.
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Plus, the pope urges Turkey to open doors to Armenia, and a new Russian convoy enters eastern Ukraine.
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For the economy, it is a general truth that capitals and investments tend towards countries having low risk ratios and closed to market. Investments can be relatively less depending on the risks and other factors in different regions. However, it is possible to develop the regions with low economic standards by minimizing the risks. For this purpose, SMEs and entrepreneurship should be encouraged and supported locally and regionally. Thus, by resolving the economic development differences between regions including financially supported areas, the regions can be kept at reasonable and acceptable level. In this study, some implementations on improving conditions and removing barriers to entrepreneurs in underdeveloped regions economically and socially in Turkey and EU through incentives and supports will be explained.
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The article discusses the problem of barriers to the integration of the EU internal energy market. The study is concentrated on gas market. The EU needs to combine particular gas markets and integrate gas networks in order to create energy highways.This article applies a combination of factor and systematic analysis and comparative research methods. The study includes the analysis of official EU documents such as documents and directives, as well as the Network Code on Capacity Allocations.The analyses and research tasks include: the analysis of the potential model of integration of the gas market, the analysis of the level of reserved capacity of existing interconnectors in Europe by 2030, the analysis of the role of LNG terminals on the EU gas market, the analysis of traffic capacity of the existing interconnectors that allows to determine further investments and the types of barriers to the gas market integration process.The results of the article are: the direction of the integration process of the EU gas market, identification of the significance of LNG terminals in the gas market in Europe, identification of the main types of barriers which could protect the national gas markets and contribute to slowing down the integration process.The integration of the EU gas market is a challenge because the member states will protect their interests as well as their own energy companies. The creation of the EU internal energy market necessitates the development of energy infrastructure as well as good regulations. It is also important to increase the understanding of and trust in the energy field between European Union countries, at the expense of national interests, in order to achieve energy solidarity in the EU gas market.
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The object of the researching is analysis of law providing of implementing of Customs Control of passenger traffic in Customs Air Check-points according to requires of international and Ukrainian laws.The issues of providing of international passenger and freight traffic safety are especially important in conditions of increasing threats. Visa liberalization between Ukraine and countries-members of EU provokes demand to work out new tools-bar of Customs Control to be used in the field of increasing international passenger traffic by air. Developed countries’ experience of implementing of control on passenger traffic by air shows the high level of using of risk-oriented Customs Control Tools. These tools are ordered to defying and neutralizing of foreign trade threats, on the one hand; and providing of simplification of Customs Formalities, on the other hand.Analysis and Management Risk System exists in Ukraine today. It is an effective tool of Customs Control, and it provides minimal involving of Customs Authorities into operational activities of all participants of International Providing Chain. In fact, functioning of single module ASAMR in Customs Air Check-points is regulated by law, but is not used in practice. The bill on Changes into Customs Code of Ukraine (on authorized economic operators and simplified of customs procedures) forecasts implementing of Previous Informing System, which is a main condition of effective functioning of Management System.
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The aim of this study is an assessment of the consequences of the possible implementation of certain models of VAT collection for agricultural producers at the regional level, taking into account the peculiarities of the development of the agrarian sector of the Kirovograd region.On the basis of systematization of the basic models for the collection of value added tax (VAT) in the field of agricultural production and taking into account the peculiarities of the agrarian sector development in the Kirovograd region, the author made variant calculations, evaluated the effects of the possible implementation of certain models for agricultural producers at the regional level.It is established that VAT accumulation ensures increase of profitability of wheat production in agricultural enterprises of Kirovohrad region from 39,4% (0-variant) to 55,3% (with VAT). The introduction of models of taxation of agricultural producers to the value-added tax should be implemented taking into account the peculiarities of the development of branches of agrarian production in certain regions of Ukraine and orientation to the basic norms of the legislation of the EU.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the level of the tax burden on agricultural producers in the context of large, medium and small business entities within the framework of applying a simplified taxation system and justifying the possibilities for its optimization.It was given that most agricultural enterprises choose a simplified system of taxation, the level of tax burden on agricultural producers in the context of large, medium and small businesses was investigated. It is established that within the framework of the application of the existing single tax rates of the fourth group, the level of the tax burden on small business entities is high, which requires an adjustment of the current approaches to taxation of agricultural producers by a simplified taxation system.The feasibility of optimizing the tax burden on agricultural producers and their balancing between large, medium and small business entities on the basis of applying a differentiated approach to taxation of agricultural producers in the framework of a simplified taxation system that will ensure the fulfillment of fiscal and regulatory tasks of a single tax will be an effective tool for supporting and stimulating the development of small business in agrarian sphere.
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The purpose of the article is analysis of approaches and models of ensuring the auditor’s independence in the national and international practices, determination of possible ways of its development and improvement. The essence of such professional ethic principle as independence has been investigated. The kinds of threats, circumstances which may cause them and preventive measures to prevent, eliminate or extenuate them to acceptable level have been determined. The approaches to forming the users of financial statement’s confidence in auditor’s independence have been considered. It has been determined on the basis of analysis Code of ethic’s clauses that the main responsibility for maintenance the independence is entrusted to the auditors and preference is granted to the procedures which are used by auditing firm. It have been substantiated that the independence of thoughts and conduct must form taking into account all subjects which are involving into the process of fulfilling the audit engagement. The results of investigation shows that the legislative regulation of demands to ensuring the auditor’s independence is of great importance and it must provide the elaboration and application of obligatory preventive measures in working environment of user and responsible party.
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Innovation.bg 2017 observes the technological interdependence of the national economy on a European and global scale. A special focus is placed on the automotive and related industries in respect of which Bulgaria is a magnet for foreign investors not only as a systems integrator but also as an R&D centre and a source of new technological solutions. Innvation.bg provides a reliable annual assessment of the innovation performance of the Bulgarian economy and of the current conditions and development opportunities of the Bulgarian innovation system. The report provides recommendations on the improvement of the public policy on innovation, building on the latest international theoretical and empirical studies and taking into account the specific economic, political, cultural and institutional framework of the innovation system in Bulgaria. The report targets leaders and decision-makers in the public and private sector of the country and abroad.
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The project of transition as „catching up” with the West implied the acceptance of a symbolic hierarchy according to which Eastern European societies are qualitatively inferior to Western ones. Locally, the acceptance of this frame of modernization ideology, which legitimizes global hierarchies by making reference to internal qualities of individual societies, is manifested in various mutations. Through showing Hungarian examples, the article traces such effects of symbolic subordination at the levels of macrostructural integration, local political struggles, and everyday struggles of symbolic identification.
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The inclusion of Poland to the common market for goods meant the abolition of customs duties and quantitative restrictions on agricultural products in mutual trade with the countries of the European Union (customs duties on industrial goods have already been abolished by the Europe Agreement) and the application of the Common Customs Tariff on imports from third countries. Freedom of movement of goods after the accession to the EU accounted for Polish entrepreneurs a chance, because the fulfillment of EU norms and standards means full access to the common market, amounting to more than 500 million inhabitants. Particularly noticeable was the impact of accession on foreign trade, which, thanks to the membership not only gained easier access to the common market, but also new opportunities to increase trade with third countries. Since Polish accession to the EU gradually increased trade in agricultural products as well as their participation in the Polish foreign trade. Emigration of Poles also increased significantly, especially to countries that with effect from 1 May 2004 opened their labor markets, namely the United Kingdom, Ireland. In the final evaluation of the benefits of joining the common market and free movement of goods, persons, services and capital far outweigh, in both the scale of the economy and at the micro level, the costs associated with membership in the European common market.
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This paper tries to further elaborate one of the most important external powers of the European Union: Its “reforming power” which goes in parallel with its ability as “normative actor” in the Western Balkans. Through Albania as a case study, it tries to argue that the process of Albania’s integration to EU has transformed the country in several directions: by introducing a deep juridical reform and by the full alignment of its foreign policy with CFSP and the “regional cooperation”. In fact, under the auspices of the EU integration, the country is making all the efforts to deliver on one of the most transformative reforms undertaken in the region, that of the justice system. This gives to EU the features of a “reforming power”. The term shows EU as a driving force which makes countries undertake deep reforms they would not have differently realized, if not under the conditionality for the EU integration.
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The European Parliament (EP) is unique and different from national parliaments, because it is organized rather than ideologically than nationally. Political groups in the EP are groups of MPs - in some cases a group may be officially represented by a political party, in others it may be a coalition of several European parties, national parties or independent politicians. Groups are rather weak coalitions than political parties. They are explicitly forbidden to participate in European elections, as this is an exclusive right only for Europeans. It is assumed that each group has common principles, and those groups that can not demonstrate them in practice are disbanded.
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The important, interesting, or just downright quirky news from TOL’s coverage region. Today: Balkan EU membership hopes; an environmental victory in Slovenia; Transdniester demands reparations; homecoming in Uzbekistan; and GoT’s unlikely Russian fans.
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It is difficult to properly emphasize the increase in xenophobia on a global level, from discourse to appropriate policies. Though Donald Trump’s “wall” has become a world-known feature, fences have been built in numerous places within Europe as well. Xenophobic discourses are increasingly used as a means for gaining electoral support, after which “adequate” policies are being introduced. From the “immigrant” or “guest worker” to the “refugee” or “asylum seeker”, these people have been shunned on an institutional and media level, invisible in their plight for decades, oftentimes painted as criminals. With the resurgence of xenophobia, their visibility increased only to be put in a negative spotlight, as scapegoats instead of victims. This article deals with the discursive construction of the Enemy from the refugee in the Middle East from the methodological standpoint of Critical Discourse Analysis, as well as how this exclusionary, discriminative discourse in turn creates xenophobic policies on a global scale.
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The text examines two core emotions - fear and shame - and how they shape the affective and social dynamic in relation to the Macedonian “name issue.” Both fear and shame are analyzed through phenomenological approach and in relation to other affects and as core affects that also enable social polarization. Polarization is explained through two Gestalt concepts: polarities and fixed gestalts that serve to analyze the phenomenon that results in exclusionary and divisionary types of thinking and behavior into two blocs - “us” vs “them.” The intersubjectivity is taken to be one of the core conditions of the social field that shape its dynamic as a crucial argument towards the need for overcoming polarized and dichotomized logic of understanding social and political polarization. The analysis shows that fear and shame create a rhizomatic pattern that connects different affects binding together and creating complex structures of behavioral responses and intersubjective space. Enacted through discourse, those affects shape the Macedonian social body as wounded by fear, anxiety, shame, hate, anger and trauma, all of which constitute experience of parlous precarity. Those experiences could not be reduced to binary positions, but they create multiplicity.
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The era of globalization involves interactions and inter-state and inter-human relations of all types, including economic ones. An important place among them also belongs to the cross-border ones. The paradigm is the model, the dominant aspect in science and the knowledge of a certain period of time or epoch. There are particular paradigms, specific to one or another science, to one or another domain. There are also general or universal paradigms, such as ecological and communication ones. The human paradigm is, however, the most universal one, as it manifests itself in all spheres and fields of human activity and practice, including economics. The whole practice and knowledge, according to the universal paradigm of humanity, must be directed towards ensuring the security and survival of humans, society and nature. The true human is the person with a high and permanent morality and moral behavior. Namely, Man is the supreme value for man and for this reason today, while being in danger, he has become the most important global problem, which practically includes in itself all other problems. The universal paradigm of humanity is compulsory even for the fields of medicine, military and force spheres. It occupies a special place in the real economy and economic science.
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The article is aimed at the change of the separatist discourse from ethnic self-determination to secession based on public spending and wealth redistribution. Further, it aims to explain the role of the European Union, its legislation and politics, in these processes amongst its Member States. Besides establishing that such role is both increasing and diminishing separatist tendencies due to the Single Market, legislation on regions or siding with Member States against secession, the article argues that the paradigm may change yet again to the notions of human rights, citizenship and immigration, due to the stall of economic secessionist aspirations.
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European policy on research and technological development has been incorporated into European legislation as early as in the founding treaties. For the 2014 – 2020 programming period, the EU is implementing its support for research and innovation almost fully through the Eighth FP Horizon 2020, which focuses on three main pillars: Europe's leading position in industry; Societal challenges and Excellence in science. This article focuses on the third pillar, and in particular on one of its institutions – the European Research Council (ERC), analyzing the opportunities that its programs provide to European scientists as well as the challenges posed by the project funding procedures and by the insufficient information and preparation from scientists in different European countries. The participation of the scientific circles from Bulgaria is also analyzed. The article challenges some of the criticism of the ERC by offering other views and understanding that would motivate more scientific teams to use the opportunities provided by the ERC.
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News from around the bloc: a key suspect in the MH17 case; Babis and the European Parliament; dry season in Russia; the Serbian church in Montenegro; and defamation in Mongolia.
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