Search results for: rais aug 2023 in All Content

Analysis of the Postprivatization Behavior of Enterprises in Bulgaria in the Period 1992-1994

Analysis of the Postprivatization Behavior of Enterprises in Bulgaria in the Period 1992-1994

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

Two years after the adoption of the Privatization Law(1992), even if slowly, privatization in Bulgaria has made considerable progress. It is the only transition country wich implements only market (capital) privatisation. Bulgaria is a middle-income country, which poses a serious barrier to capital privatization. Of course, experience (Chile, for instance) has shown that a successful capital privatization is possible in such countries as well.

Hidden Economy Indexes in Bulgaria 2002-2015: Results and Methodological Notes

Hidden Economy Indexes in Bulgaria 2002-2015: Results and Methodological Notes

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

The current document presents the methodology for calculation of the Hidden Economy Indexes in Bulgaria among the population and the business, as well as the results of the surveys for the period 2002-2015. Hidden economy surveys in Bulgaria have been carried out by the Center for the Study of Democracy and the market and social research agency Vitosha Research since 2002. Based on data from these surveys, a system of synthetic measurements in the form of composite indices for assessment of the hidden economy was developed. The reason for choosing these particular indicators was to reduce the multiple aspects of the hidden economy phenomenon to a manageable number of illustrative and easy to interpret the indices. The survey questions and sub-indexes, which form the Business Hidden Economy Index and the Index of the Hidden Economic Activity of the Population, are presented in the document. The authors underline the difference between the terms official economy (legal and reported), informal economy (legal, yet unreported), illegal (black) economy (illegal and unreported) and undeclared (gray) economy (legal, formally registered, yet unreported). The last three form the composite term hidden economy.

№251. The Eurozone Debt Crisis: From its origins to a way forward

№251. The Eurozone Debt Crisis: From its origins to a way forward

Author(s): Diego Valiante / Language(s): English

Keywords: Eurozone Debt Crisis; Argentine crisis; monetary policy support and fiscal policy coordination;

The Eurozone debt crisis has now reached a turning point. This paper argues for a more organised intervention by the ECB to stop contagion through the creation of a quantitative easing programme, coupled with a political agreement among member states on a more federalist budget for the Eurozone. The roots of this crisis and how institutions have repeated some of the mistakes of the Argentine crisis, both in 1998 and 2010, are considered in this Policy Brief. The author analyses the reasons why the ECB should start aquantitative easing programme to contain government bond yields, and shows that it can be done with limited impact on inflation targeting policies.

German wind power sector in crisis. Energiewende under further threat

Kryzys branży wiatrowej w Niemczech. Kolejne zagrożenie dla Energiewende

Author(s): Michał Kędzierski / Language(s): Polish

Keywords: Germany; energy sector; wind power sector crisis; wind power plants; climate issues; climate policy; nuclear power stations; coal power stations;

Wyhamowanie rozbudowy farm wiatrowych na lądzie jest poważnym zagrożeniem dla powodzenia niemieckiej transformacji energetycznej. Energia wiatrowa odpowiadała w 2018 r. za połowę prądu pozyskiwanego z OZE i uchodzi za siłę napędową Energiewende. W pierwszym półroczu br. w Niemczech do sieci podłączono jedynie 81 nowych turbin o łącznej mocy 271 MW, podczas gdy średni roczny przyrost mocy zainstalowanej w latach 2015–2017 wynosił około 4500 MW. System przetargów na nowe moce funkcjonuje wadliwie: branża uskarża się m.in. na przeciągające się postępowania o wydawanie zezwoleń na budowę, pozwy sądowe organizacji środowiskowych i mieszkańców, obiekcje Bundeswehry oraz agencji bezpieczeństwa lotów, a także prawne ograniczanie powierzchni pod budowę. Kryzys dotkliwie odbił się na firmach niemieckiej branży wiatrowej, spośród których część ogłosiła bankructwo, a zatrudnienie zmniejszyło się o około jedną piątą. Kryzys branży wiatrowej rozpoczął się w okresie wzmożonego zainteresowania opinii publicznej kwestiami klimatycznymi i stał się w związku z tym dużym obciążeniem politycznym, ponieważ stawia pod znakiem zapytania realizację niemieckiego celu klimatycznego na 2030 r. Załamanie się rozwoju energii wiatrowej może także zagrozić zaplanowanemu na następną dekadę wyłączeniu ostatnich elektrowni jądrowych, a zwłaszcza dotrzymaniu harmonogramu stopniowego „wyjścia z węgla”.

Ukrainians and their language. The Act on the State Language of Ukraine

Ukraińcy nie gęsi… Ustawa o języku państwowym Ukrainy

Author(s): Tadeusz A. Olszański / Language(s): Polish

Keywords: Ukraine; Ukrainian language; state language; act; law; eliminating Russian language; politics; anti-Russian campaign; Ukrainization;

25 kwietnia Rada Najwyższa Ukrainy znaczną większością głosów (278 za, 38 przeciw) przyjęła ustawę o zapewnieniu funkcjonowania języka ukraińskiego jako państwowego, którą prezydent Petro Poroszenko podpisał 15 maja. Nie jest to ustawa o polityce językowej państwa, lecz o roli języka urzędowego w życiu państwa. Oczywistym celem ustawy jest wyeliminowanie języka rosyjskiego z możliwie licznych sfer życia społecznego Ukrainy, zwłaszcza ze szkolnictwa i mediów. Drugim, równorzędnym zadaniem jest zapewnienie rozwoju, standaryzacji i modernizacji języka ukraińskiego w tych zakresach, w których są one niedostateczne. Ustawa, która w pierwotnym zamyśle miała być instrumentem kampanii prezydenckiej Petra Poroszenki, będzie wykorzystana w kampanii przed przyspieszonymi wyborami parlamentarnymi 21 lipca przez ugrupowanie byłego prezydenta oraz inne, zaliczające się do szeroko rozumianego obozu antyrosyjskiego. Przeciwnicy nowej ustawy prawdopodobnie zaskarżą jej postanowienia do Sądu Konstytucyjnego, jednak jego wyroków nie należy oczekiwać przed wyborami. Stosunek prezydenta Wołodymyra Zełenskiego do nowej ustawy nie jest na razie jasny; niewykluczone, że zechce on znowelizować niektóre jej postanowienia. Z jednej strony podczas kampanii wyborczej wiele mówił o konieczności zagwarantowania praw ludności rosyjskojęzycznej, z drugiej wśród jego wyborców są liczni zwolennicy radykalnej ukrainizacji, których poparcie w wyborach parlamentarnych jest dla Zełenskiego istotne.

US-German clash over international order and security. The consequences for NATO’s Eastern flank

US-German clash over international order and security. The consequences for NATO’s Eastern flank

Author(s): Justyna Gotkowska / Language(s): English

Keywords: United States; Germany; international order; security and defence; NATO; military cooperation; foreign policy;

This year’s Munich Security Conference has laid bare the differences in the US and German visions of international order and security in speeches given by Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Vice President Mike Pence. Germany fundamentally disagrees with the Trump administration both on the paradigm of inter-state strategic competition with China and Russia (and Iran) and on the redefinition of the political, economic and military terms of the alliance with Europe. Berlin, aware of the growing challenges to European and global order and security, rejects the American ‘peace through strength’ policy, but at the same time has failed to present any real alternative. Merkel’s defence of the multilateral approach and of the liberal international order (understood as shaping the policy with partners and allies, above all the USA, but also in dialogue with China and Russia) is not a viable alternative any more. Nor is developing comprehensive European strategic autonomy in the French spirit, independent of the United States. Berlin is still aware that the alliance with the USA form the foundations of German and European security and prosperity even if Washington is becoming an increasingly difficult partner and ally. Given the long-term domestic limitations that shape German foreign and security policy, it is difficult to expect any major change in Germany’s in-between course in the coming years. The continued disagreements between the two biggest allies over key security issues will present an increasing challenge to NATO’s Eastern flank countries.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE EU-TURKEY STATEMENT. Phase II - Key facts and key steps

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE EU-TURKEY STATEMENT. Phase II - Key facts and key steps

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

Keywords: refugees in Turkey, EU-Turkey-agreement;

THE AEGEAN TRAGEDY. Key facts and key steps

THE AEGEAN TRAGEDY. Key facts and key steps

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

Keywords: Turkey-EU-agreement on refugees; refugees in Aegean;

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2019-58

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2019-58

Author(s): Adrian Lupuşor,Alexandru Fală,Dumitru Pîntea,Iurie Morcotîlo,Vadim Gumene / Language(s): English

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2015-50

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2015-50

Author(s): Adrian Lupuşor,Alexandru Fală / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2013-40

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2013-40

Author(s): Adrian Lupuşor,Victoria Vasilescu / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2013-39

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2013-39

Author(s): Adrian Lupuşor,Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2013-38

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2013-38

Author(s): Adrian Lupuşor,Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2013-36

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2013-36

Author(s): Ana Popa,Adrian Lupuşor,Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Quarterly Review of Economy and Policy - 2013-35

REALITATEA ECONOMICĂ - 2013-35

Author(s): Ana Popa,Adrian Lupuşor,Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): Romanian

REAL ECONOMY - Monthly Review of Economy and Policy - 2011-19

REAL ECONOMY - Monthly Review of Economy and Policy - 2011-19

Author(s): Ana Popa,Alex Oprunenco,Adrian Lupuşor,Elena Culiuc,Valeriu Prohniţchi / Language(s): English

In the EU we trust. Or so many major political statements, strategic documents and crucial reforms could well start and end... at least, if we judge by the words of Moldovan leaders starting 2005. Indeed, the last year has so far appeared as culmination of the Moldova’s stride on its euro-approximation path: Moldova has become a Mecca for the EU and Western leaders and now can boast the title of the “democratic success story” aptly dubbed by the US Vice-President Joseph Biden upon his visit to Moldovan capital.

NATO and the European Union facing of hybrid Threats

NATO i Unia Europejska wobec zagrożeń hybrydowych

Author(s): Piotr Szymański / Language(s): Polish

Keywords: hybrid threats; hybrid warfare;

In recent years, the importance of NATO and the European Union in countering hybrid threats from states and non-state actors has grown. This category covers a wide spectrum of military and non-military operations - from the use of special forces and subversive groups to disinformation and cyber attacks. NATO and the EU are committed to coordinating international cooperation in combating hybrid threats, as well as protecting their own structures against them. In this way, both organizations support activities at the national level, as it is individual countries that bear the main responsibility for responding to such challenges. However, the effectiveness of NATO and the EU is limited by insufficient financial resources to counter hybrid threats. It is also adversely affected by the lack of will of the Member States to increase the exchange of sensitive information, such as the protection of critical infrastructure or cybersecurity. The example of the intensification of disinformation campaigns against the West in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic proves that NATO and the EU should pay even more attention to the problem of hybrid threats

EAP Think Bridge - № 2018-05 - Georgia: The last “people’s” president

EAP Think Bridge - № 2018-05 - Georgia: The last “people’s” president

Author(s): Richard Giragosian,Sevinç Aliyeva,Arseni Sivitski,Lasha Tughushi,Sorin Sclearuc,Sergiy Gerasymchuk,Hennadiy Maksak / Language(s): English

Keywords: pre-term elections in Armenia; Lukashenka; authoritarianism; Ukraine and Russia;

The Eastern Partnership region is captured by electoral issues. Election campaigns completely eclipsed everything else on domestic and foreign policy agenda of the partner-states. In the very spotlight is the last direct election of the President of Georgia. Although this post effectively performs a merely ceremonial function in the parliamentary republic, serious battles flared up, not a single political force is ready to give up. For the first time in Georgia’s history a presidential vote has gone to a second round. Why it is important not only for Georgia, but also for the whole region, Lasha Tugushi elaborated. Neighboring Armenia activated complicated constitutional steps to dissolve the parliament and move toward a snap parliamentary election. In Belarus the entire country is being used to polish up Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s image and prepare him for the upcoming election. Brutal policies and primitive means used to enforce them are the evidence of close parliamentary election in Moldova. While in Ukraine, topics and slogans popular among voters prevail in the domestic narratives, language, faith and the fight against corruption being most noticeable. Meanwhile in Luxembourg, at a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU and the Eastern Partnership member-states the progress in achieving the 20 EaP Deliverables for 2020 was discussed. Hennadiy Maksak representing the EaP Civil Society Forum at the ministerial shares his conclusions and recommendations for the near future of the region. //// CONTENT: Armenia moves to special pre-term elections // Azerbaijan invests big in Turkey // Belarus: All about Lukashenka’s image // Georgia: Lugar Labs in Putin’s sights // Moldova: Between democracy and authoritarianism // Ukraine: The closer to elections, the farther from Moscow // Analytica: Georgia: The last “people’s” president // Ukraine: 20 EaP Deliverables progress report

How we can stimulate the lending activity and bring back trust in the bank-customer relationship ?

How we can stimulate the lending activity and bring back trust in the bank-customer relationship ?

Author(s): Dumitru Pîntea / Language(s): English

Keywords: banking sector in Moldova;

The banking sector is the major component of the national financial system. Its main function is to allocate efficiently the financial resources to the economy by matching those who have such free resources with the ones who need resources for investment. A sustainable intermediation is based on the banks’ trust in investors, on the one hand, and on investors’ trust in the viability of the economy, on the other hand. This “trust” was severely affected by the bank crisis of 2014-2015, and the presence of some macroeconomic uncertainties in 2016 led to a high volatility of banking activity and lending process in particular. // The crisis revealed the erratic and risky lending practices of some banks, their focus on immediate profits, lack of consistency, or concentrated exposure to related economic groups. As a result of these lending policies, a significant share of potential clients moved towards other sources of financing or were determined to postpone or even cancel their planned investment projects.

New Ukraine: a breakthrough at great cost

Nowa Ukraina – przełom świadomościowy za najwyższą cenę

Author(s): Jadwiga Rogoża / Language(s): Polish

Keywords: Rosja; Ukraina; wojna

Rosyjska inwazja na Ukrainę domyka proces przemian tożsamościowych i kształtowania się ukraińskiego narodu politycznego. Rok wojny, któremu towarzyszyła kompleksowa derusyfikacja życia społecznego, przyspieszył zwrot Ukraińców ku rodzimym historii, kulturze, językowi i symbolom wpisanym w szerszy kontekst europejski. Oba te trendy postępowały od uzyskania niepodległości w 1991 r., a znacznie nasiliły się po aneksji Krymu i wybuchu wojny w Donbasie w 2014 r., gdy państwo jasno zdefiniowało politykę pamięci i zainicjowało całościową ukrainizację życia publicznego. Zmiany tożsamościowe objęły wówczas część społeczeństwa, obecnie zaś konsolidują ogromną jego większość bez względu na region, wiek i język komunikacji. Ukraińcy przechodzą mentalną dekolonizację, odrzucając przekonanie o przewadze Rosji oraz o łączących oba narody więzach kulturowych i przyjmując postawę wyższości wobec dawnego hegemona. Płacą za to jednak wysoką cenę w postaci wyrwy demograficznej, ruiny gospodarczej, zubożenia i traumy wojennej znacznego odsetka obywateli. Heroiczna walka o suwerenność sprawia zarazem, że Ukraina przestała być przez jej społeczeństwo traktowana jako kraj drugiej kategorii. Częsty przed wojną krytycyzm zastąpiły duma i wiara w wysoki potencjał rozwojowy własnego państwa.