We kindly inform you that, as long as the subject affiliation of our 300.000+ articles is in progress, you might get unsufficient or no results on your third level or second level search. In this case, please broaden your search criteria.

Wastewater Issue: High Time for Better Management – The Case of Macedonia

Author(s): Karolina Pendovska / Language(s): English

Globally increased industrial production, intense agriculture activities and household consumption in the last century have led to increased use of water resources. This in turn has increased the rate of production of wastewater, polluting the nearby recipients (surface waters and groundwaters). The well‐being of Earth’s natural water resources has been seriously threatened. Sustainable use of water resources and their protection, water quality and targets for achieving safe drinking water supply and basic sanitation have become more promptly addressed in the international and regional legal instruments. Reactions on the diminishing of future water resources quantity and quality are emerging on European Union (EU) level too, calling out for “water to be one of the main issues on the political agenda and integrated into all policies.”

More...

Education Outcomes from Migration and Remittances in Albania and Macedonia

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

This study looks at the impact of migration and remittances on the educational outcomes of the children left behind. The paper analyses this impact by examining the cases of Albania and Macedonia, countries that have experienced substantial outward migration. The paper tests the hypothesis of whether migration and remittances have a positive effect on the children's education. To test this hypothesis and the mechanism by which migration and remittances affect children’s schooling, empirical specifications were used, including a fixed effect model and an ordered probit model, which analysed the effect of parental remittances and migration experience on the educational level of children generally and for girls’ and boys’ education levels separately. The study uses the most recent empirical surveys conducted in Albania and Macedonia that gathered information on the socio-demographic characteristics of children, migration by household members, household income and expenditures, as well as remittances and their allocation to household consumption. The paper shows that parental experiences of migration have an important effect on the educational attainment of children in both Albania and Macedonia, whereas remittances only have a significant effect on the education status of children in Albania. The results of this study demonstrate that, in the case of Albania, having a migrant parent and remittances more positively affect the education of girls than of boys. This difference in the case of Macedonia is insignificant. The main message for policy makers is that providing a more gender balanced education supply would reduce gender inequalities in terms of years of schooling and educational attainment.

More...

0.00 €

№235. On the Tasks of the European Stability Mechanism

Author(s): Fabrizia Peirce,Jacopo Carmassi,Stefano Micossi / Language(s): English

In recent weeks pressures on the euro and eurozone sovereign debtors have subsided. Buoyant growth in the global economy, increasingly benefiting also the European economy, has of course played an important role in calming financial markets. But even more important has been the perception that France and Germany are again working constructively for a strong economic Europe. More broadly, the acute turbulence in financial markets since the spring of 2010 may have finally convinced our political leaders, notably including the German political establishment, that the benefits of a stable currency far outweigh the costs that may have to be borne to make it work properly.

More...

0.00 €

№241. The EU’s Response to the Financial Crisis: A mid-term review

Author(s): Karel Lannoo / Language(s): English

Two years after the London G-20, the EU is making good progress towards delivering on the commitments it undertook to implement by the 2013 target date. Important steps have been taken on the institutional side, and regulatory changes are moving ahead. On some issues, such as remuneration, the EU has made even more pronounced headway than the US. But some sensitive matters remain, such as bank resolution and structural changes.

More...

0.00 €

The EU and Uzbekistan: Short-Term Interests versus Long-Term Engagement

Author(s): Sukhrobjon Ismailov,Jarabik Balazs / Language(s): English

After fifteen years of independence, there are practically no democratic institutions in place in Uzbekistan. Only a few individuals are struggling to set up any viable alternative. The prevailing Soviet mentality in the country is set against a traditional, archaic group/family-driven political landscape. The lack of freedom has become an enormous obstacle to good governance. In particular, the lack of freedom of religion has been serving as a catalyst for radical Islamisation, due to the complete absence of political space in the country. This was aggravated by dramatic declines in income and employment and the growing poverty during the post-Soviet transition to a market economy. All of this has led to a loss of the stability and security that people previously enjoyed. This mix of economic and political stress is further exacerbated by the ailing regime of Islam Karimov – the only Uzbek establishment known by most Uzbek citizens. Alongside the repressive ruling methods and the increasingly inward-looking focus of the political elite, Karimov’s age has raised the single most important ‘what next?’ question.

More...

0.00 €

Tajikistan: ‘Revolutionary Situation or a Resilient State?

Author(s): Anna Matveeva / Language(s): English

Since 2008, after a period of relative growth and social stability, the situation in Tajikistan has been steadily deteriorating, leading to increased speculation that the country could emerge as a failing state. Given its proximity to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the role it plays in the Northern Distribution Network – a line that funnels military supplies from Europe to NATO ISAF troops in Afghanistan – the ramifications of potential instability in Tajikistan would resonate beyond the country. The current briefing assesses to what extent such danger is in fact real by outlining developments in the key areas of economy and security, and examining the regime’s capacity to cope with emerging challenges. The briefing concludes with recommendations for the EU and an outlook for future.

More...

0.00 €

Democracy in Central Asia: Sowing in Unfertile Fields?

Author(s): Jos Boonstra / Language(s): English

Central Asia is one of the most repressive regions in the world. Compared with the two other former-Soviet regions of Eastern Europe (Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine) and the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), Central Asia shows the least inclination towards democratisation. Although the five Central Asian republics are very different from each other none can be labelled a democracy or even claim to have made substantial progress towards democratic practices. The European Union (EU) in its 2007 Strategy for Central Asia set out to promote democracy, human rights, rule of law and good governance. The EU is active in urging Central Asian regimes to respect human rights, has set up a regional Rule of Law Initiative and runs several projects focusing on good governance, but so far has not been able to advance in any substantial way on several other aspects of democratisation, such as parliamentary reform or capacity-building for political parties.

More...

0.00 €

Trading Values with Kazakhstan

Author(s): Tika Tsertsvadze,Vera Axyonova / Language(s): English

The European Union (EU) and Kazakhstan have become important partners over the past decade. The EU is Kazakhstan’s leading trade partner, accounting for 40 per cent of its exports. At the same time, Kazakhstan contributes to meeting the EU’s oil and uranium demand and Europe is increasingly interested in the country’s extensive natural resources. Growing economic and political ties have brought EU-Kazakhstan relations to a new level that seems to surpass the current bilateral agreement and the overarching (regional) engagement through the EU Strategy for Central Asia. In 2011, negotiations began over a new and enhanced agreement to replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Despite substantial initial progress, recently talks have slowed down. Kazakhstan’s interest seems to be declining and differences are mounting over two key issues: technical and regulatory aspects related to trade and investment, and a clearer commitment and results by Astana towards democratic reform.

More...

0.00 €

Is Kazakhstan’s Rising Star Fading?

Author(s): Marlène Laruelle / Language(s): English

Kazakhstan’s economic prosperity and active foreign policy have given it increasing regional power status. Kazakhstan has stood out internationally as a mediator in conflicts, chair of international fora and partner to key international actors, but its ‘golden decade’ of economic growth has ended. The country faced a serious economic crisis in 2014, and registered only slightly over 1 per cent GDP growth in 2015 and 2016. Even though growth improved to approximately 3.5 per cent in 2017, due to higher oil prices and production, figures are likely to remain lower than pre-2014. In January 2017, at the initiative of ageing President Nursultan Nazarbayev, parliament approved constitutional reforms to strengthen its role, including the transfer of some presidential functions, in an effort to decentralise power.

More...

0.00 €

The Launch of EU Central Asia Monitoring

Author(s): Neil Melvin,Nargis Kassenova / Language(s): English

Following the launch of the EU Strategy for Central Asia in 2007, relations with the countries of the region have at last been acknowledged as a priority for Brussels and an integral part of the Union’s eastern policies. Its adoption has been seen as the ‘final piece’ in the jigsaw of EU policies toward the former states of the Soviet Union: the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Black Sea Synergy, the Baku Initiative, the Eastern Partnership (currently under development) and now the Strategy for Central Asia. Together, this complex of policy initiatives marks a strong commitment to strengthening the role of the EU in Eurasia at a time of growing political and economic uncertainty and when the importance of the countries of the region is increasing, both for energy and security reasons.

More...

0.00 €

Uzbekistan opening up

Author(s): Jos Boonstra,Andreas Marazis,Peter Burian,Alisher Ilkhamov,Alisher Siddique,Zaynab Dost,Sevara Khamidova,Diana Mamatova,Sergey Marinin,Nushofarin Noziri / Language(s): English

Uzbekistan has begun to take steps towards openness, and economic and political reform. Since the death of President Islam Karimov in September 2016 and the parliamentary appointment of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the new President of the Republic, Uzbekistan has improved relations with its neighbours and started a process of internal reform. Despite these positive signs, it is still too early to estimate the extent of Uzbekistan’s political transformation over the coming years.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul electoralal comunei Sărățeni, IL

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

Survey conducted on 182 inhabitants of the commune. It measured the confidence of the candidates for mayor, the voting intentions, the seriousness of the administrative problems, the qualities and defects of the candidates.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul preelectoral al județului Dâmbovița

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between January 24 and February 10, 2020 on a sample of 3267 adults living in the county. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul preelectoral al Municipiului Târgoviște

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between January 22-28, 2020 on a sample of 800 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul preelectoral al Municipiului Giurgiu

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between January 22-29, 2020 on a sample of 757 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul politic al Municipiului Râmnicu Sărat

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between November 30 and December 1, 2019 on a sample of 816 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Sondaj de opinie publică în municipiul Drăgășani

Author(s): Bruno Stefan,Călin Roșu / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between April 5-8, 2019 on a sample of 369 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Sondaj național de opinie publică în municipiul Târgu Mureș

Author(s): Bruno Stefan,Călin Roșu / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between 16-18 February 2019 on a sample of 1100 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul politic al municipiului Caransebeș

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between September 8-9, 2018 on a sample of 419 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...

0.00 €

Barometrul preelectoral al Municipiului Craiova

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romanian

The survey was conducted between May 26-28, 2017 on a sample of 1029 adults living in the city. He measured how the population perceives the involvement of the mayor’s office in various administrative issues, trust in local political leaders, voting intentions in local elections, the perception of local party organizations.

More...