Search results for: european law in All Content

№160. Time to think of a strategic bargain with Russia

№160. Time to think of a strategic bargain with Russia

Author(s): Michael Emerson / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU-Russia; US-Russia; foreign policy; energy policy; treaty; NATO; visa-free; Ukraine;

The recent past has been a miserable time for political relations between Russia and both the EU and the US. While business has been booming on the back of Russia’s huge gains from the skyrocketing price of oil and gas, the foreign policy scene has been desolate. All parties are contributing to the present grumbling dissatisfactions: Russia’s bullying foreign policy towards its smaller neighbors, its trouble-making over Kosovo and its ugly ultra-nationalist rhetoric, the EU’s inability to shape common positions towards Russia on either political or energy questions, the greatly damaged credibility of the present leadership of the United States, Russia’s complaints that it was cheated by NATO in the 1990s, the row over missile defences etc.

The report on the workplace situation of LGBT people in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Izvještaj o položaju LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu u Bosni i Hercegovini

Author(s): Damir Banović,Edina Sprečaković / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: workplace; LGBT population; BiH; mobbing; discrimination; report;

Cilj Izvještaja o položaju LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu u Bosni i Hercegovini jeste da pokaže pravni okvir zaštite od diskriminacije i mobinga na radnom mjestu osoba drugačije seksualne orijentacije i rodnog identiteta na međunarodnom, evropskom i nacionalnom nivou. Antidiskriminacijsko pravo Bosne i Hercegovine relativno je dobro postavljeno, no - kao što je to slučaj i sa drugim tranzicijskim zemljama - njega ne prati i adekvatna primjena. Razlog tome vjerovatno leži u strahu LGBT osoba da prijave slučajeve diskriminacije i/ ili mobinga na radnom mjestu zbog gubitka posla. To je posebno izraženo u Bosni i Hercegovini, zemlji sa velikom stopom nezaposlenih i skoro permanentnom političkom i ekonomskom krizom. LGBT osobe ne osjećaju se sigurnima javno iskazati svoju seksualnu orijentaciju i rodni identitet zbog opasnosti uskraćivanja prava na radnom mjestu, kao i drugih prava koja svoju bazu imaju u radnom odnosu. U Bosni i Hercegovini ne postoje evidentirani slučajevi diskriminacije LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu, što ne znači da oni i ne postoje. Komparativna iskustva u Srbiji i Hrvatskoj, s kojima Bosna i Hercegovina dijeli istu pravnu tradiciju i slične antidiskriminacijske propise, mogu biti dobar pokazatelj na koji način se ti propisi trebaju, odnosno ne trebaju, primjenjivati, te sve probleme koji prate primjenu relativno novih propisa u regiji. U Bosni i Hercegovini nisu provedena fokusirana istraživanja koja bi se bavila ispitivanjem stavova poslodavaca_teljki i zaposlenika_ica, kada se radi o zaposlenicima_ama drugačije seksualne orijentacije i/ili rodnog identiteta, niti su provedena ispitivanja LGBT osoba o njihovom položaju na radnom mjestu. U izvještaju su prezentirana neka istraživanja koja su provedena u Hrvatskoj, te se zbog slične tradicije i političke kulture odnosa prema manjinama ti podaci mogu koristiti kao vid pokazatelja odnosa prema LGBT osobama i u Bosni i Hercegovini. Sarajevski otvoreni centar je, u okviru rada na ovom izvještaju, poslao dopise organima nadležnim za primjenu antidiskriminacijskih propisa, udruženjima poslodavaca_teljki i sindikatima. Na osnovu dobijenih informacija se može zaključiti da nijedna od institucija koja je dostavila odgovor na postavljena pitanja nije upoznata sa slučajevima postojanja diskriminacije na radnom mjestu na osnovu seksualne orijentacije i rodnog identiteta, ili takvim podacima ne raspolaže, što je uvjetovalo i nepoznavanje da li su diskriminacija ili mobing učinjeni od strane poslodavca_teljke ili drugog zaposlenika_ice. Da bi se adekvatno odgovorilo na pitanje diskriminacije LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu, potrebno je preduzeti sljedeće aktivnosti: - usvajanje izmjena i dopuna antidiskriminacijskih zakona (Zakona o ravnopravnosti spolova i Zakona o zabrani diskriminacije) u okviru kojih bi se izričito navodi i rodni identitet kao zabranjen osnov diskriminacije u pogledu ostvarivanja prava na rad i u vezi sa radom LGBT osoba; - usvajanje izmjena i dopuna zakona iz radnopravne oblasti u okviru kojih bi se izričito naveli seksualna orijentacija i rodni identitet kao zabranjeni vid diskriminacije u pogledu ostvarivanja prava na rad i u vezi sa radom LGBT osoba; - usvajanje odgovarajućih strategija i akcionih planova na državnom, entitetskom i kantonalnom nivou, te nivou Brčko distrikta Bosne i Hercegovine, u okviru kojih bi pitanja diskriminacije na radu i mobinga LGBT osoba našla posebno mjesto i zaštitu; - usvajanje politika na nivou sindikata i udruženja poslodavaca_teljki, kroz koje bi se pitanje položaja LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu posvetila posebna pažnja i zaštita; - utjecaj na usvajanje politika zaštite prava LGBT osoba na radu i povodom rada na nivou individualnih poslodavaca_teljki (preduzeća, javnih ustanova i sl); - utvrđivanje programa edukacije i senzibiliziranja poslodavaca_teljki i sindikata o potrebama i marginalnom položaju LGBT osoba na radnom mjestu; - rad na polju saradnje ministarstava, sindikata, udruženja poslodavaca_teljki i nevladinih organizacija koja se bave pitanjima prava i sloboda LGBT osoba.

Exploring the Preconditions of the Mobilization of Bias: Towards an organizational-based argument

Exploring the Preconditions of the Mobilization of Bias: Towards an organizational-based argument

Author(s): Dren Doli,Fisnik Korenica / Language(s): English

Keywords: Mobilization of bias; Mobilization of bias exercising; Elitism; Pluralism; Organizational bases as preconditions for the mobilization of bias

The mobilization of bias is considered a contemporary but also important political phenomenon in the democratizing world. This paper intends to find the organizational bases that precondition the mobilization of bias, having understood that the level of democracy inside a political society is the crucial determinant on the latter phenomenon. At the outset, this paper discusses the mobilization of bias phenomenon, by specifically being based in the Bachrach & Baratz scholarship, given the explanation of the tension between pluralism and elitism. Following that, the paper shows some of the instruments the elites use to mobilize the bias. Finally, in its body the paper builds a set of organizational / systemic bases which arguably precondition or give terrain to the mobilization-of-bias practice.

№039: Visegrad’s Winding Road to the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020

№039: Visegrad’s Winding Road to the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020

Author(s): Dariusz Kałan,Paweł Tokarski,Patryk Toporowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU budget; Visegrad Group; budget; Czech Republic; Euro; European Union; Hungary; Poland; Slovakia

The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU is taking shape amidst uncertainty about the future of the Eurozone. The crisis of the common European currency overshadows the bargaining over the MFF, and impacts the calculations of the countries constituting the Visegrad Group—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia—or the V4, during the negotiations. Each member of the V4 has a deeply embedded interest in upholding the prominence and extent of EU’s cohesion policy in the years to come. In the light of the attempts to put a cap on this budget figure, a natural convergence of interests and positions would seem natural. Still, as authors of the analysis point out, the economic outlook of particular V4 countries, their political and economic partners of choice on the European level, as well as their respective visions of the future of European integration, are bearing heavily on their actual policies during the MFF negotiations. The V4 as a whole stands to gain only if individual members will be able to navigate the existing or emerging differences. If these differences prevail, and one of the countries breaks rank in search of a better negotiating position, the V4 is likely to arrive at suboptimal results at best.

Europe and Serbia. 16th Letter from Serbia

Pisma iz Srbije, broj 16: Evropa i Srbija.

Author(s): László Végel / Language(s): English,Serbian

The future of the Franco-German tandem

The future of the Franco-German tandem

Author(s): Artur Ciechanowicz,Rafał Sadowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Franco-German tandem

Following the victories of François Hollande in the presidential election and the Socialist Party in the parliamentary election, the existing model of relations between Germany and France as symbolised by the Merkel-Sarkozy duo is undergoing a transformation.Along with the defeat for Sarkozy, who had fostered close cooperation with the German Chancellor, we are witnessing a change in the German-French modus operandi, which was based on making confidential agreements concerning the anti-crisis measures in the eurozone and then presenting ready-made solutions to other EU members (as in the case of the successive versions of the document currently known as the fiscal pact).However, a conflict in bilateral relations, which would mean a total breakdown of the Franco-German engine, is rather unlikely. In fact, François Hollande's proposals have diminished the appearance of the two states’ exceptional compatibility, and have restored the specific relationship affected by the natural rivalry between two states, who because of their economies' different orientation have divergent interests. Nevertheless, both sides are destined to reach a compromise, as neither can attain its goals in the face of the other's opposition. In the long term, Hollande is likely to maintain a common front with Germany in fighting the crisis, while at the same time trying (with his allies from the south of the EU) to limit Berlin’s political and economic superiority.

Martin Schulz Stands as SPD’s Candidate for Chancellor: Implications for Germany, the EU and Polish-German Relations

Martin Schulz Stands as SPD’s Candidate for Chancellor: Implications for Germany, the EU and Polish-German Relations

Author(s): Jolanta Szymańska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Germany; Martin Schulz; Europe; political parties

On 29 January, Martin Schulz became chairman of the Social Democrats (SPD) and its candidate for chancellor of Germany. Schulz will strengthen the leadership of the party and his nomination makes the election campaign more exciting. The moderate growth of SPD in the elections may determine the continuation of the grand coalition and the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel. However, a better result for SPD may open the way to other coalitions and put Schulz in the chancellor’s office, which would entail a change in European politics in Germany. A change in the government and political scene in Germany would be a big challenge for Polish-German relations.

Arctic Region: Political, Security, and Aspects of scientific Research

Region Arktidy: aspekty politicko-bezpečnostní, ekonomické a vědecko-výzkumné

Author(s): Barbora Padrtová,Zuzana Trávníčková / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Strategic interests in the arctic region; economic interests in the arctic region; scientific exploration of the arctic region;

Worldwide interest in the Arctic has increased considerably since the beginning of the 21st century. At the same time, its importance and geostrategic importance are increasing. With advancing climate change, the Arctic region is undergoing a dynamic development that brings with it a host of new research and economic opportunities, along with security risks and challenges. The Czech Republic currently has no political or economic interest in the Arctic. Nevertheless, involvement in international cooperation in this field is an important factor positively influencing the national security and the international position of the Czech Republic, especially within the framework of the EU and NATO structures. In addition, the interests of the world powers (including Czech allies in the Alliance), which have a direct and indirect impact on security in Europe and, respectively, in the Czech Republic, are in the Arctic. The interest of the Czech Republic is to stay out of this development and to develop engagement in the region.The presented RESEARCH REPORT is based on the identified research needs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. The aim of the analysis is to acquire knowledge on the basis of which six long-term and three short-term recommendations for the decision-making of the state administration in the field of international relations and foreign policy of the Czech Republic are formulated. The RESEARCH REPORT contributes to the more active participation of the Czech Republic in shaping Arctic policy at European and global level. At the same time, it serves for qualified decision-making in the political, economic and international legal issues of the Arctic, increasing the importance and prestige of the Czech Republic, and directing further scientific research in the region.

№224. Europe's Electricity Supply Security: Strengthening the Chain

№224. Europe's Electricity Supply Security: Strengthening the Chain

Author(s): Michele Benini / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe's electricity supply security; electricity transmission; SECURE project; energy efficiency;

Efficient development of electricity transmission infrastructure is crucial to achieving EU targets for a secure, competitive and sustainable electricity supply. However, many uncertainties, such as future load demand, generation supply, electricity prices and increasing time requirements for the realisation of transmission infrastructures in member states, increase the risk that these targets will not be reached.

№260. Misguided policies risk breaking up the eurozone and the EU

№260. Misguided policies risk breaking up the eurozone and the EU

Author(s): Stefano Micossi / Language(s): English

Keywords: Eurozone; EU; Crisis management; Liquidity support and debt restructuring;

I met Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa in the early 1970s as a new young professional in the Research Department of Banca d’Italia, where he was head of the monetary policy unit. Many of us newcomers, fresh from American graduate studies, were appalled by the Bank’s monetary approach, replete with quantitative controls and administrative measures to channel funds to an insatiable Treasury.

The EU’s New Digital Strategy: Moderate Ambitions with Limited Resources

The EU’s New Digital Strategy: Moderate Ambitions with Limited Resources

Author(s): Marta Makowska / Language(s): English

Keywords: European Union; digital strategy; digital policy; EU digital economy; coronavirus pandemic;

On 19 February, the European Commission announced three documents relevant to the future of EU digital policy. They aim to stimulate the growth of the EU digital economy and initiate consultations on the regulation of socially sensitive aspects of new technologies. Funds for these purposes are to come mainly from the multi-annual EU budget. However, the planned measures are small and research priorities are likely to change in the face of a coronavirus pandemic.

Reorientation of Romania’s Moldova Policy

Reorientation of Romania’s Moldova Policy

Author(s): Jakub Pieńkowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Romania; Moldova; Romania’s assistance for Moldova; Moldova’s pro-Russia political parties;

In January, Romania’s authorities announced they will suspend assistance for Moldova and distancing themselves from its leaders. The reason was the takeover of rule in Moldova by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists led by President Igor Dodon. That negated the fundamental assumption of Romanian policy towards Moldova—that Moldovans are part of the Romanian nation. Guided by that assumption, the Romanian authorities had for a long time within the European Union uncritically supported Moldovan governments, which, while making pro-Romania gestures, were compromising the idea of European integration. Romania’s current distancing from the Moldovan authorities may make it easier for the EU to settle the reforms included in the Association Agreement.

Budget for the Eurozone: Germany’s Approach Gains the Upper Hand

Budget for the Eurozone: Germany’s Approach Gains the Upper Hand

Author(s): Sebastian Płóciennik / Language(s): English

Keywords: Germany; European Union; Eurozone; budget; fiscal policy; monetary union; crisis prevention;

The decisions of the December summit of eurozone countries to set up a budget for the monetary union are in line with Germany’s expectations. The new financial pool is indeed deepening integration, but its small size and lack of autonomous character do not violate their economic interests and the existing EU integration structure. The outcome is also acceptable to EU Member States outside the euro area because it lowers the risk of differentiated integration.

Innovative Financial Instruments in International Development Cooperation: Opportunities for Poland

Innovative Financial Instruments in International Development Cooperation: Opportunities for Poland

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel / Language(s): English

Keywords: International development cooperation; sustainable development; financial instruments; European Union; developing countries;

Changes in international development cooperation are heading towards the greater involvement of the private sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and stimulating growth in developing countries. One way to achieve these aims is through the wider use of innovative financial instruments (IFI). They offer also an opportunity for Poland to effectively engage national business in development cooperation. This will be served by the strengthening of institutional capacities in this area in cooperation with experienced donors from the EU.

MURDER IN ANATOLIA. Christian Missionaries and Turkish Ultranationalism

MURDER IN ANATOLIA. Christian Missionaries and Turkish Ultranationalism

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: nationalism in Turkey; Malatya; anti-Christians in Turkey; Ulku Ocaklari; Hrant Dink; Ergenekon;

In April 2007 a gruesome triple murder took place in the Central Anatolian city of Malatya. The victims, tortured, stabbed and strangled, were two Turks and one German. All three were Protestant Christian missionaries who had recently moved to Malatya. Five young men, armed with knives and covered in blood, were found at the scene of the crime only moments after it happened. What made the Malatya killings different from an ordinary murder case was the suspicion, present from the outset, that this was not an isolated attack by a group of nationalist youngsters.

Exceptions Become the Rule: Internal Border Control Checks in the Schengen Area

Exceptions Become the Rule: Internal Border Control Checks in the Schengen Area

Author(s): Jolanta Szymańska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Schengen Area; mass-migration crisis; border protection system; European asylum system; internal borders;

The mass-migration crisis has exposed the weaknesses of the border protection system in Europe, encouraging Schengen member states to restore control over the zone’s internal borders. Checks inside the zone, which had been rare, are becoming the new normal. Moreover, Schengen member states are demanding a further loosening of the rules. Without clear progress in strengthening the EU’s external borders and finding compromise on reform of the common European asylum system, the Schengen zone is threatened with fragmentation. That carries a risk to Poland’s interests.

Trade Promotion Authority: An Opportunity to Invigorate the TTIP Negotiations

Trade Promotion Authority: An Opportunity to Invigorate the TTIP Negotiations

Author(s): Cordelia Buchanan Ponczek,Marek Wąsiński / Language(s): English

Keywords: United States; President Barack Obama; Trade Promotion Authority (TPA); power to negotiate the trade deals; Trans-Pacific and Transatlantic trade agreements;

In June, U.S. President Barack Obama was finally granted Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), executive negotiating power on trade deals, which will give him leverage to secure his economic legacy. On the U.S. side, the Republican-Democrat divide leading up to the bill's adoption has been illustrative of the controversy surrounding ongoing U.S. negotiations on the Trans-Pacific and Transatlantic trade agreements. For the European Union, the signed TPA is a goodwill gesture from the U.S. and portends gains in momentum for TTIP, the Transatlantic trade deal.

Elections in Spain: No Second Greece

Elections in Spain: No Second Greece

Author(s): Kinga Brudzińska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Spain; local and regional elections; dissatisfaction of society; government; protests; euroscepticism;

Spain is one of several EU countries whose citizens, dissatisfied with the country’s entire political class, will select their leaders in 2015. High levels of unemployment, foremost among young people, combined with too slow a pace of economic recovery, and prevailing corruption scandals, may induce Spaniards to vote for anti-establishment parties. However, Spain will not follow the Greek example. Thanks to the emergence of the moderate, alternative Ciudadanos party, which is keen to form a coalition either with the Popular Party or the Socialist Party, the anti-European Union party Podemos is losing momentum.

Ethnic Communities in Kosovo in 2007 and 2008

Komunitetet Etnike në Kosovë në 2007 dhe 2008

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Albanian,English,Serbian

Content: Security Issues, Employment, and Application of Law on the Use of Languages and Anti-discrimination Law in Kosovo; Return of Displaced Persons to Kosovo in 2007 and 2008; Kosovo Institutions Applying the Law on the Use of Languages; Application of Anti-discrimination Law and Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo Public Companies; Implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages in the Kosovo Education Process.

National Security & Defence, № 058 (2004 - 10)

National Security & Defence, № 058 (2004 - 10)

Author(s): Andriy Bychenko,Mykhailo Mishchenko,Tetiana Sylina,Volodymyr Paniotto,Nataliia Kharchenko,Oleksandr Lytvynenko / Language(s): English

2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: HOW UKRAINIANS SAW THEM // RAITINGS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES // CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS OF CANDIDATES’ CHANCES // SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS // ASSESSMENTS OF SELECTED ELECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS // PUBLIC REACTION TO THE FALSIFICATION OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE POLITICAL CRISIS IT PRODUCED // EXTERNAL INFLUENCE UPON THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN // ASSESSING LEONID KUCHMA’S PRESIDENCY // SOCIAL SITUATION AND POPULATION’S PROBLEMS // MEASURING ELECTORAL PREFERENCES: A METHOD OF ON
THE
STREET INTERVIEWS // EXIT POLL: A LONG ORDEAL // EXIT POLL IN THE RUN
OFF ROUND OF THE 2004 ELECTIONS: EVALUATING ITS COURSE AND RESULTS // UKRAINE’S REGIONS ON THE EVE OF THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS