Návrat v nedohlednu: Integrování Syřanů v Turecku?

Author(s): Kristýna Tamchynová / Language(s): Czech

Vzhledem k pokračujícímu pobytu Syřanů v Turecku je důraz na posun projektů od humanitárních k rozvojovým. Pokračující posilování kapacity místních aktérů je tak i nadále nezbytné. Silnou roli, aktérskou i kontrolní, má v systému péče o uprchlíky v Turecku stát. Kontrola a dohled však někdy přechází i v omezování činnosti občanské společnosti. Napětí existuje i mezi dalšími aktéry – např. lokálními NGOs a INGOs. Projekty by tedy měly podporovat a rozvíjet spolupráci jednotlivých aktérů. Specifickým problémem je dostupnost a velikost nabízených EU grantů. Malí aktéři buď přímo nejsou způsobilými žadateli, nebo nemají na takové financování kapacitu. Otevírá se tak prostor pro menší cílené projekty či dary od menších, např. státních donorů. Klíčovou je otázka možných návratů. Zatímco je kladen důraz na sociální kohezi a integraci v Turecku, měla by být posílena i příprava pro návrat do Sýrie. V souvislosti s integrací je důležitá i senzitivita nejen vůči majoritní společnosti, ale zvláště vůči lokálním etnicko-socio-ekonomickým dynamikám a menšinovým skupinám (viz Kurdové).

A promising beginning of negotiations of a convention banning nuclear weapons

Author(s): Miroslav Tůma / Language(s): English

The first round of talks regarding the negotiations of a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons (their use, production, ownership, etc.) took place on March 27–31, 2017, at the UN Headquarters in New York under the presidency of Ambassador Elayne Whyte Gómez of Costa Rica. The second, and final round of talks, during which the finalization and adoption of the proposed convention is expected, should take place in New York from June 15 to July 7, 2017. The aforementioned first round was preceded by an organizational meeting in New York on February 16, 2017, in the presence of representatives of more than 100 countries, at which the provisional agenda and the rules of procedure for the general meeting of the UN General Assembly were agreed. According to these rules, a two-thirds majority is necessary for decisions on important questions and a simple majority of all present members is required for procedural issues. In contrast to consensus decision-making, which is valid, for instance, for the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, no country present at the UN conference can veto an adopted decision.The first round of negotiations was attended by around 130 countries, and representatives of several organizations, such as the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and a number of non-governmental organizations, as well as surviving victims of the US-caused nuclear explosion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which are called Hibakusha in Japan. All countries that own nuclear weapons, as well as a large majority of Alliance states, including the Czech Republic, and partner countries relying on nuclear protection, especially protection by the US, boycotted the meeting. From the Alliance states, only the Netherlands attended, and from the European Union states, the already mentioned Netherlands, and also Austria, Sweden and Ireland participated. From the partner countries, Japan was present.

Macedonia’s preparations for civilian contribution to peace operations - the next big thing after the withdrawal from Afghanistan?

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

Probably one of the most exploited phrases by politicians from the Western Balkans when talking about issues on defense reform and international security is that the “countries from the region, from peace importers, have become peace exporters”. Over the years Macedonia has established itself as a country where that export product is mainly through military means. This policy paper aims to put the question of civilian contribution to peace operations on the agenda and advocates increased debate among policymakers and officials. It does not, however, undermine nor support a decrease in Macedonia’s military contribution. The main focus of the text is the identification of advantage areas that Macedonia has developed through the years which could be utilized in the civilian capacities (CIVCAP) model. Therefore the paper lists: 1) policing, 2) media, 3) crisis management and power sharing as Macedonia’s ready to be exported products. It also provides an insight into the ongoing legislative and institutional preparations. While legislation for contribution to peace operations by civilian means is largely in place, what seems to be lacking is a strategic turn towards more civilian contribution. This therefore produces many unknowns about civilian participation among policymakers still making it sound very remote.

We did criminalize it – now what? Western Balkans response to the foreign fighters threat

Author(s): Andreja Bogdanovski / Language(s): English

The civil war in Syria has attracted plenty of attention due to various reasons, starting from the appalling humanitarian catastrophe, the criticism for inactivity of the big powers and the use of prohibited arms such as chemical weapons. Lately, more and more signs of worry come as a result of the considerate number of foreign fighters present on the Syrian battlefields. The Balkans and the EU are no exception to this and it is believed that few hundred fighters coming from the Western Balkans have joined the anti Assad rebellions. The main question therefore is what is the risk connected with the foreign fighters when returning home? This policy brief focuses on the actual situation with the foreign fighters and the measures that are put in place by the governments in the Western Balkans with focus on Macedonia. The text borrows from the relevant experiences of Germany, UK and Belgium in addressing this question. Therefore it looks for possible solutions in employing greater resources into prevention and rehabilitation programs through engagement of civil society and local communities. The policy brief ends with set of recommendations directed to the authorities in Macedonia.

Ending 'Ghettoisation' of the Western Balkans – Visa Liberalisation Prospects

Author(s): Biljana Kotevska / Language(s): English

Ever since the European Commission [EC] handed over the Roadmap for Visa Free Travel to the Macedonian government in May 2008, visa liberalisation has been the topic of the year. There hasn't been a speech delivered by government officials, an issue of a newspaper or an event on integration held without mentioning the issue of visa liberalisation. Many reports have been written. Many researches as well as research projects have been conducted, assessing the process of visa facilitation, reviewing the fulfilment of the criteria set in the roadmap or evaluating the prospects for visa liberalisation for the near future. After so many writings on this process, a vast media coverage as well as political exploitation of the topic, what this report aims to do is to present a compact picture on the whole process up to date. It will start by presenting an overview of events preceding the visa liberalisation negotiations, through a short history of travelling for the citizens of the Western Balkans, and presenting what was to follow in the form of Visa Facilitation Agreements and their implementation. This will be followed by an intro on the visa liberalisation process and an overview of the current progress of Macedonia against the Roadmap benchmarks. Next, a brief explanation on how will the decision on visa liberalisation be made, as well as the "what ifs?” on a positive and on a negative opinion of the EC on Macedonia's progress on the visa issue. It will wrap up with recommendations on how to further progress with this process.

Regulatory Impact Assessment – Macedonia in Focus

Author(s): Agim Selami / Language(s): English

In this day and age, when governments are faced with huge quantity of regulation, it is beyond question that regulation should imperatively be given a special treatment and consideration. The role of political actors should consist of making sure that the regulation in place meets the criteria of an effective and efficient regulation, and guarantee that it produces positive impact toward concerned parties or more broadly – towards citizens. In other words, mechanisms for anticipating policy impacts, such as Regulatory Impact assessment (RIA), must be put in practice. The world’s more developed countries (OECD countries, US, Australia), have been regularly applying RIA to new and existing policies for decades. Since 1974, when it was first introduced, RIA has consistently recorded indisputable popularity, becoming a constituent element in the policymaking processes of the countries mentioned above. In addition, although there’s no blueprint for successful RIA introduction, these countries’ experience has effectively served as practical guide for less developed countries for successful RIA introduction and implementation. Hence, it can be easily concluded that RIA’s impact on improving public policy has never been as high as it is at present.

Transparency of the Security Sector in Macedonia

Author(s): Andreja Bogdanovski,Cvete Koneska / Language(s): English

The main finding of the research suggests that, normatively speaking, all three areas (access to information, protection of classified data and protection of personal data) have appropriate laws which are further operationalised into secondary legislation and that there is no major disharmony between them. A feature of all three is the establishment of commissions/directorates tasked with following the implementation of the laws. As such they report irregularities and act upon them while affirming the benefits of these laws and the obligations of security institutions among the wider public. All have adequate competences which give them solid ground to monitor and act upon irregularities. In practice, sanctioning remains sporadic as a result of the novelty these legal solutions bring. In the case of free access to information, the time required for full adoption and recognition of this public right by state institutions has been considerable. A possible role model is the Directorate for Security of Classified Information, where regular inspections are taking place.

Strengthening the Role of RIA in the Policy-Making Process in Macedonia

Author(s): Agim Selami / Language(s): English

Governments of different countries throughout the world are encountering a trend of increasing quantities of regulation. This trend, understandably, is more visible in countries with unconsolidated democracies, where beside the problem of the large quantity of existing regulation, an additional concern is its quality, its synchronization with current circumstances in society, and the effects it produces. Approving new regulations, or analyzing existing ones, should have a single goal: solving problems within a certain field for the direct stakeholders as well as for the whole of society. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to carry out a detailed analysis of the problem that is being addressed, to identify regulatory or non-regulatory solutions, and, most importantly, to determine the most appropriate solution in terms of budget so that it does not cause additional fiscal implications. Addressing these questions can most precisely be achieved through the preparation of a document on Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).

Regulatory Impact Assessment (2)

Author(s): Agim Selami / Language(s): English

Analytica’s report on Regulatory Impact Assessment aims at giving a clearer picture on the overall RIA process putting particular focus on RIA developments in Macedonia. The report goes through the history of RIA, its introduction booming all around the world and concentrates predominantly on RIA introduction and implementation challenges that Macedonia’s authorities are facing with. It emphasizes that Macedonia’s authorities, although belatedly, are more and more becoming aware of RIA’s role and importance in preparing solid legal framework… In this day and age, when governments are faced with a huge quantity of regulation, it is beyond question that regulation should imperatively be given special treatment and consideration. The role of political actors should consist of making sure that the regulation in place meets the criteria of an effective and efficient regulation, and guarantee that it produces a positive impact on concerned parties or more broadly – on citizens. In other words, mechanisms for anticipating policy impacts, such as Regulatory Impact assessment (RIA), must be put in practice.

Human Security in Central Asia: Can the EU Help out?

Author(s): Sébastien Peyrouse / Language(s): English

Among the many challenges facing the Central Asian states, security is one of the most pressing concerns. Yet the way these states discuss the issue is significantly affected by external actors’ approaches to security in the region. Russia and China are the two most influential countries in shaping the security strategies of the Central Asian governments, through bilateral relations and multilateral organisations such as the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) and the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation). However, this does not mean that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are “victims” of Russian and Chinese authoritarian pressure, without which they would take a more democratic approach. Even Russian influence, although much stronger in this area than China’s, cannot by itself explain the security decisions of the Central Asian regimes, as these decisions are chiefly driven by domestic issues and local political culture.

Civil Society Cornered in Central Asia

Author(s): Tinatin Tsertsvadze / Language(s): English

Civil society and independent voices in Central Asia are increasingly under pressure from the authorities. Repression has intensified over the past five years, against a backdrop of a decline in fundamental freedoms – of expression, association and assembly – and an increase in crackdowns on critical independent voices globally. More and more, they face restrictions imposed in the name of law and order, and their work is stigmatised and criminalised. There is a risk that earlier small gains be lost in Central Asia, with social, political and economic consequences. Civil society is here understood as independent from state or business influence, including broad groups such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the church, trade unions, individual activists, human rights defenders, and bloggers, among others.

BETON - Kulturno propagandni komplet br. 217. god. XIV, Beograd, utorak 17. mart 2020.

Author(s): Saša Ćirić,Jelena Veljić / Language(s): Serbian

MIKSER, Saša Ćirić: O jugoslovenskim labudovima i pionirima; ŠTRAFTA Redakcija ULUS-a: Zimski radovi; ARMATURA, Jelena Veljić: Redovno pranje ruku; BLOK BR. V, Studiostrip: Primeri

BETON - Kulturno propagandni komplet br. 7, Beograd, utorak, 28. novembar 2006.

Author(s): Olga Manojlović-Pintar,Aleksandar M. Novaković,Saša Ćirić,Srđan V. Tešin,Vladimir Tupanjac,Nenad Veličković,Tomislav Marković,Miloš Živanović,Lazar Bodroža / Language(s): Croatian,Serbian

MIXER, Olga Manojlović Pintar: Bandit ili hrabro srce; CEMENT, Aleksandar Novaković: Anđeli 3, Saša Ćirić: Appendix Angelorum; ŠTRAFTA, Srđan V. Tešin: Đe si bijo kad je klalo i bombardovalo?, Vladimir Tupanjac: Politika kulturne politike; VREME SMRTI I RAZONODE, Nenad Veličković: Opinion faker, Tomislav Marković: Farenhajt 451, Miloš Živanović: DJ u Zmajevom gnezdu; BULEVAR ZVEZDA: Redakcija: Kapor Momo; BLOK BR. V., Lazar Bodroža: Zorica i Kemiš.

Uhapsite tog Tvitera

Author(s): Aleksandar Roknić / Language(s): Serbian

Da li ste znali da je insistiranje na poštovanju zakona u Srbiji protivzakonito i da vas može svrstati u red državnih neprijatelja? E pa, upravo to se desilo Dobrici Veselinoviću i Kseniji Radovanović, aktivistima inicijative Ne da(vi)mo Beograd, koji već sedam meseci istrajavaju u zahtevu da se utvrdi ko su pripadnici paravojne grupacije koja je u izbornoj noći 25. aprila pod fantomkama bagerima srušila 12 objekata u beogradskoj Hercegovačkoj ulici u Savamali, a nekako to premijer posprdno kaže – neke tri barake.

Zaustavite Gardijan!

Author(s): Boris Dežulović / Language(s): Serbian

Eh, da je te pameti bilo u Džavida Nimanija, zaboravljenog tadašnjeg predsednika Predsedništva SAP Kosova i Metohije, mnogo poznatijeg kao strica najveće kosovske seks-zvezde Zane Nimani, a najpoznatijeg po kultnoj rečenici izgovorenoj kad su ono marta 1981. strane agencije javile kako je pobuna studenata prištinskog Univerziteta zbog loše prehrane u kantini prerasla u malu lokalnu kontrarevoluciju, a drug predsednik nazvao direktora Tanjuga, paničnim glasom u slušalicu zaurlao ‘Zaustavite Rojters!’ i plasirao se direktno u istoriju.

Women’s Political Participation in North Macedonia: Study and Scientific Research Papers

Author(s): Katerina Kolozova,Marija Savovska / Language(s): English

Zar i ti Homo Brute

Author(s): Aleksandar Osovcov / Language(s): Serbian

Danas se ovaj epigraf može postaviti na celu Rusiju, na sve grupe politički aktivnih građana. A njih, po već tradicionalnoj podeli ima tri: vlast, takozvana „sistemska opozicija“ i radikalna opozicija. Forsirajući agresiju na Ukrajinu, vlast je do te mere proširila svoj areal da je sada gotovo nemoguće uočiti bilo kakvu razliku između sistemske opozicije i partije vlasti. Bez pomoći vrhunskih eksperata, mi, obični smrtnici, nikada ne bismo saznali u čemu je razlika između onoga šta zastupa Jarovaja (Jedinstvena Rusija) i onoga očemu govori Mizulina (Pravedna Rusija). U isto vreme, oni radikalni opozicionari koji su zapravo podržali agresiju na Ukrajinu, ali nikako ne bi želeli da zaliče na zapenjene pripadnike „krimjenaš“ ili „zaputinaubijamo“, da bi im neko u to poverovao, moraju se poput Udaljcova ili Navaljnog nalaziti barem u kućnom zatvoru.

Tri preispoljne budalaštine

Author(s): Victor Shenderovich / Language(s): Serbian

Ruskom javnom scenom danas vladaju tri, do te mere idiotske budalaštine, da zaista više nemam živaca da ih slušam. Budalaština prva: „Nije sve tako prosto“...

EAP Think Bridge - № 2020-20 - Border Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Author(s): Volodymyr Kopchak,Richard Giragosian,Vadim Mojeiko,Lasha Tughushi,Victor Chirila,Sergiy Gerasymchuk / Language(s): English

During the first year at the office, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelenskyy hardly managed to set, or at least explain his team’s foreign policy priorities. However, the Eastern Partnership did not go unnoticed on his agenda in multiple dimensions: as an instrument of cooperation with the European Union, as a region as a whole, and at the level of bilateral contacts with partner countries. Which of these tracks was more important and who did Ukraine manage to work with more efficiently while ignoring other capitals so far? The results of the first year of President Zelenskyy for the Eastern Partnership are analyzed by Hanna Shelest. Meanwhile, in May, election campaigns launched in three countries of the region. In Belarus it started with the crackdown on the opposition, fines and arrests. In Moldova President Dodon started campaigning, in spite of all anti-epidemic measures. In the meantime, in Georgia it is still not clear which law will be applied to the parliamentary elections in October as the authorities and the opposition are still failing to find compromise. Last month, Armenia was one of the first to lift quarantine restrictions and immediately faced a new wave of incidence of COVID-19. The prime minister and his entire family tested positively for coronavirus. In May, Azerbaijan faced a wave of arrests, with both the opposition and government officials behind bars. And Ukraine managed to get into two high-profile international scandals and new difficulties in relations with its partners, the United States and Georgia. All these and other major developments of the month in the countries of the Eastern Partnership are analyzed in our traditional reviews. //// CONTENT: Analytica: Border Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Military and Political Implications // Azerbaijan: Authorities’ War on Two Fronts // Armenia: COVID-19 Eases, but Armenia is Badly Shaken // Belarus: Pre-Election Repressions and Economic Voluntarism // Georgia: First Parliamentarian Candidates are Registered // Moldova: Economy remains Fragile and Domestic Stability Volatile // Ukraine: Hot July before Political Summer Break

EAP Think Bridge - № 2019-11 - "ZE" Time in Ukraine

Author(s): Richard Giragosian,Sevinç Aliyeva,Lasha Tughushi,Natalia Sterkul,Sergiy Gerasymchuk,Maksym Koriavets,Yuri Tsarik / Language(s): English

The stunning victory of comedian Vladimir Zelensky at the presidential elections in Ukraine demonstrated a keen request for leaders from outside the old system. Without actually seeing any program of the candidate, or any names on the team, 74% of Ukrainians still voted for him, showing that they are ready to support anyone, as long as it’s a new person. This yet again made the neighbors worry: can such a public request be exported? In his very first winning speech, Zelensky addressed the post-Soviet republics, where leaders in power have not changed for decades: “Look, it is possible!” Whether the new president will live up to high expectations and receive the majority seats in parliament, Sergey Gerasimchuk analyzed. The permanent president of Belarus does not seem to be losing ground. He is fully preparing for the elections scheduled for next year, flirts with the pro-Russian electorate yet again and talks about changes to the constitution. However, the results of the Ukrainian vote have already forced the Belarusians to worry over economic reasons. The echoes of the Ukrainian elections reached Georgia, causing verbal altercations of ex-President Saakashvili with Russian President Putin. In Moldova, new leaders don’t seem to gain power so far as dividing portfolios and establishing the majority in the newly elected parliament is not yet possible. So the country risks getting stuck in an ever-deepening crisis. But in Armenia, the same anti-establishment new leader has been in power for almost a year now - continuing to fight corruption, acing clashes with former companions, and showing his temper, perhaps, for the first time. Over the past year and a half, the Eastern Partnership and partner states have made significant progress in harmonizing digital markets with the EU. What has already been done and what new prospects in this area open up after several important events for the region, Maksym Koryavets studies. These and other important news of April in the Eastern Partnership analyzed in our monthly reviews of domestic and foreign policy, as well as the economies of the countries of the region. //// CONTENT: Armenia: Confrontation in parliament over the challenges of business & politics // Azerbaijan: Domestic calm, international activity // Belarus: The path of mobilization // Georgia: 55 injured in clashes against hydroelectric power plant // Moldova: Stalemate — looking for the way out // Ukraine: The election is over, the economic and hybrid war with Russia is not