AuthorMartin Hladík

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by the Modern Diplomacy, IFIMES and their partners, with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.[1]

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. The first, of the three-panel conference, was brilliantly conducted by the OSCE Sec-General (2011-2017), current IFIMES Euro-Med Director, Amb. Lamberto Zannier. Among his speakers was a former Deputy Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center Ms. Monika Wohlfeld. Discussing pan-European and regional issues of the southern Europe, this is what Dr. Wohlfeld outlined in her intervention:

The list of global and regional challenges that affect the Euro-Med region is too long to discuss here in depth. Clearly, the region experiences soft and hard security challenges and conflicts over ‘territorial claims, the proliferation of weapons, terrorist activities, illegal migration, ethnic tensions, human rights abuses, climate change, natural resources disputes, especially concerning energy and water, and environmental degradation’.[2] The Covid-19 pandemic lay bare and enhanced many of these challenges, in social, political and economic as well as security realms. The Euro-Med region is also not well equipped to tackle these problems and difficulties in a cooperative and coordinated manner, despite the existence of some common organizations, institutions and agendas.

So how to foster dialogue and a cooperative approach on addressing common challenges in the region? I will focus largely on security in a broad sense and the notion of cooperative security.

The OSCE (or rather its more unstructured predecessor, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe) has in the recent decades been presented as a possible example for co-operative security arrangements in the Mediterranean region. The idea of a Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean (CSCM) did not get a lot of traction in the region so far. It has been argued that such a project must succeed and not precede cooperative regional dynamics it seeks and that the conflictual patterns of relations, which exist across the Mediterranean, therefore do not lend themselves to cooperative security frameworks. The absence of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace would preclude parties in the region from applying cooperative security methods that have proved effective in the framework of the CSCE/OSCE.

An additional difficulty is that this possible example for cooperative security arrangements focuses largely on the interaction of states while it is increasingly clear that civil society and its organizations may have a necessary and constructive role to play in this respect.

Nevertheless, the notion of cooperative security framework(s) has been supported by many analysts, not only from the northern shore, but from also southern shore of the Mediterranean. Abdennour Benantar, in his discussion of possible security architectures for the Mediterranean region, analyses the security situation in the region and asks whether the concept of cooperative security, as developed in the European context, could be transposed or applied in the Mediterranean.[3] Benantar argues in favour of creating a regime of security cooperation in the Mediterranean, while taking into account the sub-regional diversity of the Mediterranean region.

One key conclusion of the discussion of CSCM is that not extending existing European models, or exporting models of cooperative security to the Mediterranean region, but rather using such models as sources of inspiration and support to subregional or regional cooperative security efforts is likely to be more successful [4] in establishing cooperative security principles and frameworks in the Mediterranean.

Another key finding is that with multilateralism under pressure globally and regionally, new concepts deserve attention. One such concept is minilateralism or selective and flexible cooperation, currently being developed in the context of the problems faced by multilateralism globally. As Stewart Patrick explains, ‘states increasingly participate in a bewildering array of flexible, ad hoc frameworks whose membership varies based on situational interests, shared values, or relevant capabilities. These institutions are often ‘minilateral’ rather than universal; voluntary rather than legally binding; disaggregated rather than comprehensive; trans-governmental rather than just intergovernmental; regional rather than global; multi-level and multistakeholder rather than state-centric; and ‘bottom-up’ rather than ‘top down’ [5]. Thus, while multilateralism is under pressure, there are possible ways of bottom-up, smaller in terms of numbers of states involved and flexible approaches.

A Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung strategic foresight exercise for the MENA region in 2030 suggests there are opportunities for common approaches and co-operation on long-term challenges that affect all states of the region. Thus, there are key risks and opportunities that might enhance cooperation. ‘With this as a starting point, through building single-issue institutions and multilateral trust, other chapters for cooperation might open up.’ [6]

This observation could benefit from being placed in the perspective of the concept of minilateralism, presented above. With multiple, flexible layers of such minilateral cooperation, cooperative security approaches can be introduced into various regional formats in the Mediterranean. They deserve the political and financial support of all state or non-state actors that engage on behalf of multilateralism and cooperative security.

Before closing, few words about the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, which is a regional institution, funded by the governments of Malta, Switzerland and Germany. It trains diplomats and more recently also civil society activists from the Euro-Med region who work and live together for the duration of the Master’s degree, accredited by the University of Malta. The Academy thus functions as a regional confidence-building measure, per se.

In 2009, when this author joined the Academy, a course on security studies has been developed, which emphasizes non-zero sum game approaches, cooperative security and conflict prevention and conflict resolution aspects. Twelve cohorts of students later, using their written assessments of the impact of the course as well as conversations with alumni (many of whom are reaching top jobs in their countries), it changed the way they view security issues and conceptualize solutions to common security challenges.

It could be giving hopes. There is increased emphasis on youth and confidence building in the Euro-Med region, and strong interest and support from Northern African countries in the academic training the Academy provides. However, the pandemic and the economic situation in the region do not bode well for prospects of projects such as the Academy. One very recent positive development I can share though is that the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs has renewed its funding for the German Chair for Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention at the Academy for the next two years.

This is the author’s main take on the situation: It will take support, time and patience to advance minilateralism and also multilateralism as a way of addressing common challenges in the Euro-Med region. We need all hands on deck for this, especially during the difficult moments the region experiences currently.

About the author:
Dr. Monika Wohlfeld

Lecturer, German Chair in Peace and Conflict Prevention Center, MEDAC, University of Malta. Former NATO fellow and the Deputy Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

[1] This highly anticipated conference gathered over twenty high ranking speakers from three continents, and the viewers from Australia to Canada and from Chile to Far East. The day was filled by three panels focusing on the rethinking and revisiting Europe and its three equally important neighbourhoods: Euro-Med, Eastern and trans-Atlantic (or as the Romano Prodi’s EU Commission coined it back in 2000s – “from Morocco to Russia – everything but the institutions”); the socio-political and economic greening; as well as the legacy of WWII, Nuremberg Trials and Code, the European Human Rights Charter and their relevance in the 21st century.

[2] Stephen Calleya, Security Challenges in the Euro-Med area in the 21st Century. Routledge: London, 2013, p. 9-10.

[3] Abdennour Benantar, Quelle architecture de sécurité pour la Méditerranée ?. Critique internationale 2015/4 (69), https://www.cairn.info/revue-critique-internationale-2015-4-page-133.htm

[4] Istituto Affari Internazionali, ‘Towards “Helsinki +40”: The OSCE, the Global Mediterranean, and the Future of Cooperative Security’, Documenti IAI 14 08 – October 2014. https://www.new-med.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/iai14081.pdf

[5] Stewart M. Patrick, Making Sense of ‘Minilaterialism’: The Pros and Cons of Flexible Co-operation’, CFR Blog, 5 January 2016. https://www.cfr.org/blog/making-sense-minilateralism-pros-and-cons-flexible-cooperation

[6] Mediterranean Advisory Group, MENA 2030: A Strategic Foresight Exercise. KAS Med Dialogue Series, June 2019, p. 11. https://www.kas.de/documents/282499/282548/MAG+MENA+2030+A+Strategic+Foresight+Exercise.pdf/1ebaaba2-7457-9c67-e7a4-2121326d4c51?version=1.0&t=1562234211698

A quarter of Czechs still leave their savings susceptible to the inflation process by securing them in cash. However, they are interested in making new investments, according to the Generali Investments CEE research.

Cash savings are a preferred choice for a tenth of participants, especially for those with basic education. 14 percent of the respondents prefer keeping savings in a bank account.

“More than a fifth of Czechs have over 100,000 crowns in cash or in a bank account. Their savings are also subject to inflation and lose value in real terms. For example, last year, people who saved their money that way suffered a loss of up to 3.2 percent in value due to inflation and insufficient financial literacy generally,” Peter Mederly, Generali Investments CEE’s sales director, explained.

Based on the Eurostat research, Czechs participate in investments less often than other Western European citizens. For example, in Germany, 36 percent of participants hold savings in cash while in the Czech Republic this value sits around 45%. The Netherlands showed one of the lowest results with 15 percent of those who prefer cash savings.

As for investments, 38 percent of Czechs invest their savings. A tenth of them considers investing through specialized companies to be a rational decision. Also, cryptocurrencies became a more popular trend with 13% of male and 5,4% of female respondents preferring it as a saving option.

The COVID-19 pandemic positively affected the overall investment climate. Czechs are more interested in saving up money, and a fifth of Czechs started to invest more. However, half of the respondents stated that the pandemic didn’t affect their investments at all.

Source

Author: IRINA NIKOLAEVA

POZOR TRAMVAJ! is a new app developed by the company Safe Public Transport. Its Bluetooth-based system sends out warning signals about approaching trams to users of mobile devices and could help prevent the frequent accidents involving pedestrians and public transport in cities. The company also believes that the system can be applied to other vehicles such as trains, buses and ambulances.

Ever since the introduction of trams on Czech streets there have been associated accidents. The most destructive have been caused by trams going off the rails or crashing into other vehicles. However, cases when a pedestrian is knocked down by a tram, causing either serious injury or death, are not infrequent.

In fact, with the exception of 2020, when streets were significantly less busy due to government enforced coronavirus measures, the past 15 years were marked by at least one death involving a tram every year. Meanwhile, cases of non-lethal accidents involving a tram have ranged in the high double digit numbers for years. For example, in 2019, there were over 80 such cases.

What often causes such accidents is the lack of attention given by pedestrians to their surroundings, because of distractions caused by their interactions with mobile devices such as phones and mp3 players.

To help prevent these accidents the Prague Public Transit Company, which manages public transport in the Czech capital, has been testing a new app developed by the company Safe Public Transport.

Lukáš Rajsner is the director of Safe Public Transport. He says that the app is a unique idea and is currently in the process of being patented.

“The first impulse for developing such an app came from the high number of accidents on train tracks, as well as with trams. It is very difficult for these vehicles to stop quickly enough when such incidents occur. It takes several seconds after applying the brakes, during which the train or tram is still moving. For this reason, we looked at the idea of informing the individual about the possible danger, because it is easier for the individual to move than for the vehicle.”

The application that Mr. Rajsner and his team came up with works through the short-range wireless technology known as Bluetooth, which is incorporated within most modern smartphones.

“We chose to use Bluetooth, because it is widely available and it uses a small amount of battery power, less than one percent with this app. Furthermore, many people today have Bluetooth generally switched on, for example, because they use wireless headphones which operate on the Bluetooth system. We also set up the app in a way that when you install it, Bluetooth automatically switches on.”

The trams which have been designated for testing in Prague are the 9, 11 and 22 lines – 97 trams in total. Each of these vehicles is fitted out with a unique signal device that transmits waves using Bluetooth. The device, which has the app installed and Bluetooth switched on, receives these transmissions and lets out a warning signal that the paths of the tram and the user are about to cross.

Mr. Rajsner explained how the system works in practice.

“The application is primarily targeted at pedestrians who pay insufficient attention to their surroundings. These people may be on a call, listening to music, or scrolling through social media with their headphones on. The app user can select the type of sound which will inform him of a potentially hazardous tram in his surroundings. The distance, at which the alarm sets off, ranges between 70 to 120 metres, depending on the type of mobile device, but also on the evaluation of the surroundings. For example, it depends on whether the tram is on a street, or just making a turn. The user gets a cautionary notification along with a sound signal, which can be either the sound of a tram, a beep, a melody, or a vibration. We do not want the app to annoy the user, which is why he or she can select the method through which they receive the warning.”

Read more here.

Author: Tom McEnchroe

Prague, photo: Ondřej Tomšů

The Czech Republic saw a decrease of 11 percent in entrepreneurship in the last quarter compared with the last year’s results. Only 14 000 Czech entrepreneurs established their own new businesses which is the lowest result in 12 years.

People were not exceptionally hopeful about the first quarter of the year because they did not expect the restrictions to be over. However, according to CRIF (Czech Credit Bureau), the number of closed businesses was also low.

“In the first quarter of this year, people had little hope for an early easing of anti-epidemic measures. At the same time, they assumed that existing entrepreneurs are experiencing the worst period since the beginning of the pandemic,” CRIF analyst Věra Kameníčková explained. She added that people don’t have any confidence in the current economic situation.

The interest occurred to be low because many existing businesses operate through insufficient financial resources. Banks are reluctant to give loans, yet occasionally, crowdfunding companies can help.

“In such a situation, people’s willingness to start a new business naturally declined,” Kameníčková said.

Most of the new businesses are in the fields of science, technology, and manufacturing, and were mostly established in Prague. On the other hand, the social and health sectors saw the lowest number of new companies.

As for the closing of businesses, only 5596 people ended their operations, which is the lowest number since 2010.

“When people leave their current business, they increasingly choose to interrupt their trade instead of canceling it. This allows them, in times of economic uncertainty, to have greater flexibility, and the opportunity to renew their trade in the event of an improved situation,” Kameníčková clarified. The number is also low compared to last year’s February, which is unexplained for now.

Source

Author: IRINA NIKOLAEVA

Czech lawmakers have rejected a proposal to force supermarkets to have a mandatory quota on locally produced food.

The proposed law would have come into effect in 2022 and meant the percentage of Czech food sold in large supermarkets would have to be at least 55%.

This would rise to at least 73% in 2028, in stores larger than 400 square metres.

The lower house of the Czech Parliament had initially approved the legislation in January, in an effort to reduce dependency on food imports.

But after MPs in the Czech Senate – the upper house of Parliament – dismissed the bill last month, lawmakers also vetoed the amended proposals on Tuesday.

Read the rest here.

Author: Euronews with AP, AFP

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. Along with the two acting European State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. Still, one of the most anticipated talks was that of the President of the Republic of Malta, Dr. George Vella.

In his highly absorbing keynote, Excellency President focused on the Euro-Mediterranean and its promising prospects:

President Vella covered a wide array of issues concerning the Mediterranean region, including prospects for and improvement of existing channels of dialogue and cooperation, the ever-changing dynamics of the region, an assessment of the developments in the Western, Central and Eastern parts of the region, and the roles of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) in addressing the Mediterranean’s challenges. This text is a brief recap highlighting the key points of the Maltese President’s intervention at the Vienna Process March’ event.

Excellency President started his keynote by calling for stronger and more coherent Mediterranean dialogue channels in order to effectively solve or at the very least address the region’s challenges. He pointed out that, “there is a high level of institutionalization at parliamentary levels. There are in fact no less than 23 international parliamentary institutions. Many countries are members of more than one organization with inevitable overlapping and repetition; for example, Greece is in 13 organizations, Andorra in 2 and Malta in 7. Most organizations are purely deliberative, however there is little cooperation, competition or division of labor; this hinders interregional cooperation. I mention the 5+5 Western Mediterranean Forum, the Union for the Mediterranean, the Med7. These are examples in which Malta is very actively involved. I find it quite ironic that a strong regional cooperation organization with proven credentials like the OSCE does not have yet a tangible Mediterranean dialogue.”

His excellency, then, proceeded to address the dynamics of the Mediterranean region, stating that “in the old days, the Mediterranean was seen as a playground for the superpower bickering and escalation. Nowadays it is actors from the region itself that flex their muscles often at the expense of the stability of others. When we speak of the Mediterranean, we often, perhaps unknowingly, commit the mistake of projecting this as a homogenous, uniform region; this is not the case. One can attribute the lack of success, if not downright failure, of certain policies because we forget about the regional dynamics and continuously changing realities of this region.” Therefore, he calls for a focused assessment of developments in the region that addresses the region from Western, Central and Eastern perspectives in order to grasp the particularities of the experiences of each and to escape the one-size-fits-all approach to assessing the region’s developments.

President George Vella then urged us to ask ourselves a very pressing questions, “what the EU, which is ideally placed to positively influence developments, is actually doing?” He stated that he welcomes “the launch of a new agenda for the Mediterranean which clearly states that a strengthened Mediterranean partnership remains a strategic imperative for the EU.” He further highlights the importance of addressing the gap between theory and practice. Here, he refers to the New Pact on Migration and Asylum in the EU; Excellency explained that what truly matters is not what is written in agreements, but rather what is implemented, pointing out that “questions still very much remain on the fair and equitable implementation of its [the New Pact’s] provisions.”

Mr. President also addressed the dire issue of the lack of solidarity in the region. He said: “While the responsibilities of the states of first entry are clear and stringent, solidarity through relocation remains uncertain in the rest of the pact. It appears, indeed, that relocation, which one can consider as the most effective tool of solidarity, remains entirely voluntary.”

As solidarity in the region would lead to more stability, President Vella draws attention to the primary role that youth ought to play in bringing stability to the Mediterranean. He proposed “a system of circular migration and organized mobility for the young Mediterranean generations; a sort of a Mediterranean Erasmus+, giving participants exposure to European realities which they would eventually take back home with them to use in boosting their economies.” This is not the first time his excellency raises this suggestion; in fact, he has done so previously on multiple occasions including in the Young Mediterranean Voices Forum.

President Vella also tackled the dimension of hard security, stating that “we need to do much more to eradicate the flow and the sales of armaments and ammunition. Apart from the obvious security dimension, we also need to consider how the exportation and supply of weapons to countries in the Mediterranean is resulting in political competing and conflicting spheres of influence. In times when multilateralism is wrongly being put into question, I feel we need to do more to increase its pertinence and relevance in global affairs.”

He seemed to very much welcome UN support, presence and visibility in the region; this was evident in his following statement: “There is ample room for the UN to take a more active, hands-on approach to resolving ongoing conflicts. Libya is a case in point, and recent indications that the UN might involve its own personnel are more than welcome. The UN’s message was to keep tensions down and to avoid open conflict, I ask whether the UN, henceforth, could also have a role in effectively bringing stability to the country through a possible physical presence. Greater visibility of the UN on Mediterranean matters has long been on Malta’s agenda.”

Finally, President George Vella closed his highly absorbing keynote by informing the conference participants that Malta is bidding on a non-permanent seat in the United Nation’s Security Council during the term 2023-2024 in order to be a “voice for dialogue, sustainable growth, [and] equality in the Mediterranean and beyond.”

Congratulating to Vienna Process partners on their sustained work in promoting the cross-European dialogue and understanding, and especially to IFIMES for the role played by its Euro-Med branch headed by Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, Malta went even further. This important southern EU member state already expressed its wish to host one of the planned Vienna Process conferences on Europe and its neighborhood in a due time.

*the above article is based on the informal transcript and conference recordings, which may have nonintentionally caused minor omittances or imprecisions in the reporting. Ms. Rola Elkamash also contributed to this text.

About the Author;
Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, he is an International Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada.

[1] This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighborhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by the Modern Diplomacy, IFIMES and their partners, with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

This highly anticipated conference gathered over twenty high ranking speakers from three continents, and the viewers from Australia to Canada and from Chile to Far East. The day was filled by three panels focusing on the rethinking and revisiting Europe and its three equally important neighbourhoods: Euro-Med, Eastern and trans-Atlantic (or as the Romano Prodi’s EU Commission coined it back in 2000s – “from Morocco to Russia – everything but the institutions”); the socio-political and economic greening; as well as the legacy of WWII, Nuremberg Trials and Code, the European Human Rights Charter and their relevance in the 21st century.

You missed an entire year of travel in 2020, and today, you might finally be able to catch up. However, a lot has changed when it comes to travel due to the coronavirus, so you might be in for some good preparation. Also, there are general travel mistakes you still need to keep in mind. So if you want to have a smooth and safe trip in 2021, here’s what NOT to do when traveling.

Not sorting out your documentation

If you’re traveling abroad, you will need to show a variety of important documents to pass through security and be let into the country. Think a valid passport and visa (if necessary), proof of health and vaccination, permits for certain attractions, etc. Before you embark, have all of these ready. You might have to apply for a visa months in advance, otherwise, you’ll get stuck at the airport and have to postpone your trip. Also, make copies of all your important documents and keep them close to your person at all times while leaving the originals in your hotel safe or at the reception.

Over-planning

Some planning is always necessary for a trip, but make sure to be at least a little flexible. A lot of things can change during your trip, from your financial situation to your health and weather. Keep in mind the time it takes from point A to point B, depending on your transportation means. Also, factor in various delays and set some time aside to rest. All of these variables require flexibility, so don’t get stressed if your plans get a little off-track. There’s no need to see and do everything at your destination in one visit and get the most for your money—if you try to do that, you will most likely fail and feel disappointed.

Not doing your research

If all you know about your destination comes from Instagram posts, you’re going to have a bad time on your vacation. Make sure to actually do some research and look up all the issues that might come up and bite you on your behind. You might want to research the weather, best times to visit, national holidays and such since these can highly influence your packing process and itinerary. Also, look up local laws—they might be very different from what you know at home. For instance, if you’re a vaper, you have to check the vaping laws at your destination. If you can’t travel with your regular setup, grabbing the best disposable vape pen might do the trick. These will satisfy your vaping habit and potentially cause fewer problems on your trip. Plus, you can just throw it away when you’re done and not think about issues on your return.

Not being culturally sensitive

Being politically correct and culturally sensitive is very important in 2021 and for all the right reasons, so don’t be one of those travelers who disregard the local culture, traditions and habits when visiting a place. If you come off as culturally insensitive, it can ruin your trip and even cause various issues that can jeopardize your stay. Some countries have laws and norms that greatly differ from your own, but make sure to be respectful. It’s very easy to look up the local culture online so you can be the best tourist you can be.

Not listening to local advice

Sure, you might have done your research on all the important things to see and do at your destination and armed yourself with travel guides and other materials, but if a local offers advice on where to eat and what to do, take it into consideration (they live there, after all). Local advice can often also save you a lot of money on tourist traps! However, when asking for directions, take every piece of advice with a grain of salt. For the best directions, ask more than one person and go with the general consensus. If a person starts thinking about where to send you, thank them for their help and go get additional info.

Now that you know what not to do when traveling in 2021, you can start preparing for that much-awaited holiday and have a blast while staying safe and responsible.

By Peter Minkoff

Peter is a lifestyle and travel writer at Men-Ual magazine, living between Ústí nad Labem and Antwerp. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, the Balkans and around the world. General (Rtd) Corneliu Pivariu is a member of IFIMES Advisory Board and founder and former CEO at Ingepo Consulting. In his analyse entitled “The Suez Canal Incident: Lessons learned for the geopolitics of critical infrastructures” he is analysing the recent Suez Canal incident.

● General (Rtd) Corneliu Pivariu
Member of IFIMES Advisory Board and Founder and the former CEO of the INGEPO Consulting

The Suez Canal Incident:

Lessons learned for the geopolitics of critical infrastructures

The maritime/river transports represent the most important segment of the world total transports as they cover, according to latest data, 89.6% in volume terms and 70.1% in value terms of the global total. Moreover, they have the advantage of not only being cheaper but also of being less polluting per freight tonne as compared to all the other transport modalities.

Within this business, an important role is played by the mandatory passage points represented (from east to west) by: the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb, the Suez Canal, Bosporus, Gibraltar, the Panama Canal to which we could add the Cape of Good Hope.

The recent incident of March 23rd, represented by the blockage of the Suez Canal brought again to the international attention the issue of the safety of the maritime transports especially at the mandatory passage points.

The potential threats for the safety of transiting the Suez Canal are often emphasized as results of the materialization of certain adverse scenarios. Most often “played” scenarios refer to terrorist attacks which could provoke major disruptions in various fields, especially economic.

The indigenous incidents (threats) are not as “attractive” for the public opinion. Although their occurrence is more likely, such accidents are much less analyzed as far as implications are concerned.

Geoeconomics safety aspects:

The Suez Canal in a nutshell:

• 12% of the global trade
• One million barrels of oil/day
• 8% of daily trade of Liquefied Natural Gas
• Daily incomes of 14-15 million $ (5.7billion $ in 2019/2020). Before the pandemic, the Suez Canal transit represented 2% of Egypt’s GDP.
• 19.000 ships transited it in 2019 (more than 50 ships/day)
• The recent incident provoked an agglomeration of more than 360 ships until the Canal returned back to transit, and the value of the blocked freight was estimated to be over 10 billion $.

The German insurance company Allianz estimated that the blockage of the Suez Canal could diminish the yearly global growth by 0.2 – 0.4%.

The Wall Street Journal emphasized that as a result of the Ever Given incident, the cost of freight for the transportation ships between Asia and the Middle East increased by 47% mainly due to attempts of rerouting the ships in order to avoid the Suez Canal (i.e., adding around 8 navigation days).

Yet the temporary blockage of the Suez Canal affected not only the global maritime industry or the Egyptian economy but also innumerable other companies (corporate and retail end-users of transport services). Besides, the quality reports of the shipped goods have to be issued before the merchandises reach the end users (which are not a few having in mind the more than 18,000 containers aboard the blocked ship as well as the other trans containers on the ships (trans containers represent 28% of the Suez Canal transit).

It is likely that, having in mind the financial losses, the feasibility studies for commissioning the north route of maritime transports be speeded up, although some experts say that is not feasible and the Russian action of opening up the ice shelf with three submarines is more of a propaganda campaign than of an affordable possible solution.

The maritime containers shipment as part of the logistic global chains could add up to the already chaotic situation following the disruptions generated by the pandemic.

Physical safety aspects

At the time of the impact between the EverGiven trans container ship and the shore of the Canal, the wind speed was approximately 40 knots/hour. It is possible that human piloting errors (?) or objective technical considerations be added to the unfavourable weather conditions.

The Suez Canal Authority mentioned that this would have not (!) been the only reason for which the ship remained blocked.

Many analysts of the incident (most of them experts in dealing with the risks attached to maritime transport strategic infrastructures) consider the need of a serious investigation leading to clear, worth trusting conclusions concerning the causes of the event.

Credible sources maintain that the Suez is known as “the Marlboro Country” and suggest that presents are being given to the piloting people.

The Canal is vulnerable to possible obstructions caused by transiting ships especially in some sectors such as:

• The sector between Ras El Ish and El Ballah area in Port Said
• The containers terminal area
• The Port Tewfik area

The Canal is relatively vulnerable to terrorist actions in “the Suez Canal” Bridge area, known as the Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Bridge or in El Ferdan Railway Bridge but also in the waiting areas on the Timsah Lake and on the Great Bitter Lake.

Aspects of military and operative-intelligence security

The Suez Canal is one of the strongest defended strategical objectives in the world as part of the critical global transportation infrastructure. Few security events were witnessed so far (the most important were recorded in 2005 and 2009) which were quickly solved.

The 3rd Egyptian Army and the security services have as main missions securing the vessels’ safe passage of the 193 km long, 205 m wide and 24 m deep Canal and are controlling the vulnerabilities liable to be exploited by hostile forces.

The combination of the integrated high-technology equipment (Radars, VTMS and CCTV) and the combination army-intelligence and security services secure an appropriate protection of the objective.

The greatest security challenge comes from vessels transiting the Canal:

• The blockage of the Canal in areas where there are hard rock (and not sand) shores following incidents similar to EverGiven one;
• Detonating IEDs aboard the ships in transit.

The risk level generated by such a threat is equal for all vessels yet the resulted effect differs from ship to ship depending on factors such as the type of ship, the king of goods or even the owner’s nationality.

It is likely that the naval forces of the main states interested in streamlining the traffic through the Suez Canal in emergency situations to operationalise rapid interventions subunits in such crisis circumstances with effective intervention equipment for big ships (over 300,000 dwt) too.

Admiral (ret) and ex-SACEUR James Stavridis’ controversial idea of setting up an international body for security management of the straits and navigation channels starts to make sense.

It makes sense too, that the intelligence and security services have and will have a bigger responsibility in the future as a result of the fact that the EverGiven giant ship is owned by a Japanese company, operated by a Taiwanese maritime shipping company and managed by a German company registered in Panama. And for everything being “easier to be managed”, all the 25 members of the crew are Indian nationals.

Setting up alternative routes (in the 1960s the US submitted the idea of launching construction of another canal as alternative to Suez) and Turkey is to start constructing in 2021 the Istanbul Canal. In our opinion, these are solutions, albeit incomplete ones.

As it is the case in all sectors, a greater concern for raising the education level could be a good solution which, unfortunately, requires a longer period of time.

At the same time a solution must also be found for safer operation in an infrastructure – sometimes from the middle of the 19th century, whit the ships of the 21st century.

The text was presented at the virtual international debate whit the same title, organized by Financial Intelligence of Romania on March 31st 2021. www.financialintelligence.ro

Full event on:
The Suez Canal Incident by Financial Intelligence (eveniment integral) – Virtual Debate – YouTube

Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/224771488371834/254410213071672

About the author:

Corneliu Pivariu is a highly decorated two-star general of the Romanian army (Rtd). He has founded and led one of the most influential magazines on geopolitics and international relations in Eastern Europe, the bilingual journal Geostrategic Pulse, for two decades. General Pivariu is a member of IFIMES Advisory Board.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect IFIMES official position.

Ljubljana/Bucharest, 6 April 2021

Footnotes: [1] IFIMES – International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has Special Consultative status at ECOSOC/UN, New York, since 2018.

Millions of Americans have been inoculated against COVID-19, receiving the vaccine that brings the promise of returning to life pre-2020. But what that means practically has been an evolving science since news of the shot first emerged, leaving many with questions.

The jab offers protection and comes with certain benefits, like getting together in small groups and avoiding some quarantine requirements, but experts told Travel + Leisure it doesn’t mean we will be putting away our masks anytime soon.

When it comes to travel, several countries and even states — including Iceland, Belize, and Vermont — have embraced the concept of vaccine passports, waiving quarantine and even testing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals (defined as two weeks after someone’s final shot). At the same time, many pandemic-era learned behaviors, like social distancing and mask-wearing, remain.

“It’s going to be a long and winding road to recovery,” Roger Dow, the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, recently told T+L during a recent news conference, adding, “Travel is all about confidence, it’s what people believe. And [vaccines are] just one more step to getting people… to travel.”

We talked to Dr. Scott Weisenberg, the director of the travel medicine program at NYU Langone Health, about what vaccinated Americans can — and should — be doing, and what they should hold off on for now.

Can I travel after I’m vaccinated?

This is the million dollar question for frequent travelers who have been grounded for more than a year. But the answer is complicated and has much to do with personal risk tolerance.

“All of the vaccines do a great job of reducing the risk of dying from the disease, but you can still get sick — the likelihood of someone getting sick is still going to be based on their age and other risk factors,” Weisenberg said. “If you were to choose to travel, continuing to wear masks, social distancing… those are the things people can do to try to reduce the risk.”

Officially, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Americans “delay” both domestic and international travel. If someone does travel, the CDC says they should get tested three to five days after their trip and self-quarantine for seven days, even if the test is negative.

Additionally, the agency requires all international travelers to test negative for COVID-19 within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S. Vaccinated travelers are not exempt from this order.

The good news is recent studies have shown the vaccine likely reduces transmission of the virus in addition to protecting the individual who received the shot. In February, a pair of studies in Israel found the Pfizer vaccine reduced infections (including asymptomatic cases) by 75% to 93.7%, Reuters reported.

“The more data we get showing exactly how much less likely vaccinated people are to get the virus…spread it to other people… the more reassuring that will be [to people] who don’t want to be involved in transmission chains,” Weisenberg said.

Read the rest here.

‘There is no perfection, only life.’ – Milan Kundera

It is one of the most powerful quotes from a leading figure of Prague Spring, Milan Kundera. In addition to his political activity, he became a well-known novelist in the Czech Republic and abroad, spreading his word far beyond the homeland.

Milan Kundera is a Czech writer who became a French citizen in 1981 as a result of naturalization. Even though his Czechoslovak citizenship was denied in 1979, he obtained a Czech one a couple of years ago, in 2019.

Writing under Communism

During Communism, all Kundera’s works were banned, forcing the writer to eventually relocate to France, where he lives to this day. Interestingly, Kundera refers to himself as a French writer and insists that his works should be studied in French rather than in the Czech language.

Kundera’s first novels aimed to escape ideological classification. For example, his debut novel, The Joke (1967), which he wrote at the age of thirty-three, satirizes the totalitarian regime of the communist era. The book was written at the time when Kundera’s ideological beliefs changed from supporting Communism to ridiculing its imperfections. In The Joke, the author underlined the problems of Communism, the dangers of living under such a regime, and the necessity of a reformation movement. As you might guess, his work was soon banned for its content. The lack of audience was devastating to the writer. At that challenging time, he received an invitation for a teaching position in France, which was his lucky ticket to freedom of speech and political choices.

See the rest here.

BY: SOFIA CHESNOKOVA

The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified problems in public finance management, but it cannot be entirely blamed for last year’s economic result, which was the worst in the country’s history, the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) says in its annual report.

Nearly half of last year’s increase in state budget expenditures was not caused by anti-epidemic measures, but by the growth in state operating expenditures, social expenditures and other items, head of the Supreme Audit Office, Miloslav Kala, says in the introduction to the office’s annual report for last year.

The state budget for 2020 ended with a deficit of CZK 367.4 billion, which was the worst result since the establishment of the Czech Republic in 1993.

According to the report, this was not only due to a fall in budget revenues, absence of austerity measures and expenses related to Covid-19, but also due to a growth in expenditures not related to the pandemic.

Last year, overall state budget expenditures increased by CZK 291 billion compared to 2019. However, at least CZK 147 billion were not related to the covid-19 pandemic, the report says.

According to the Supreme Audit Office, the state budget was not prepared for a slowdown of the economy. It claims the state failed to respond to the slowdown in economic performance with reasonable savings in expenditures.

See the rest here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

The lower chamber of the Czech parliament on Wednesday approved stronger powers for the Czech National Bank in the mortgage market which enable it to set prudential limits for lenders, and extend its monetary policy authority for trading in securities.

The central bank has been monitoring the mortgage and housing market in recent years as a potential source of inflationary pressures caused by soaring property prices.

The bill allows the central bank to set binding limits for banks and other mortgage providers regarding loan-to-value (LTV), debt-to-income (DTI) and debt-servicing-to-income (DSTI).

Currently, the bank has been issuing recommendations widely adhered to by the lenders even when not set as a rule.

Low interest rates have supported demand for mortgages, as the central bank has kept its main two-week repo rate at 0.25% since last May, after it had slashed it by 200 basis points during the first coronavirus wave in spring.

Last year, new and refinanced mortgages rose by 39.6% year-on-year to 266 billion crowns ($11.97 billion), and data from this year have shown continued interest in borrowing.

Read the rest here

Article by Reuters Staff

The death of Petr Kellner, a reclusive Czech billionaire and the head of PPF group, came as a big shock in the Czech Republic on Monday morning. As further details of his death in a helicopter crash in Alaska emerge, Czechs are looking back at the billionaire’s legacy and what his death means for the future of PPF Group.

Alaska police officer Austin McDaniel told Czech Radio that the search was launched when reports came in about a delayed helicopter and debris seen in the mountains on Saturday night. The search party found and rescued one survivor – snowboarding champion David Horváth. The next day, the Alaska rescue service found the remains of five bodies, among them was Petr Kellner. An investigation into what caused the crash is currently underway.

The editor-in-chief of the leading Czech business daily, Hospodářské noviny Jaroslav Mašek, told Czech Radio’s Lenka Kabrhelová that the death of Petr Kellner is a big loss for the Czech Republic.

“I think few people realise that Petr Kellner really was one of the most important Czechs. Whether one likes it or not, the achievements he made in business surpassed those of all others in the history of the Czech Republic and even further back.”

See the rest here.

Authors: Tom McEnchroe, Lenka Kabrhelová

A legendary industrialist and creator of the world-famous shoe empire, Tomáš Baťa was a pioneer of technology, advertising, marketing, and business management.

Born April 3rd, 1876 in Zlín, Czechoslovakia, Baťa’s father was also a shoemaker, continuing the family tradition that had been going since the 1600s. With his 11 siblings, Tomáš Baťa learnt the tricks of the trade early on in life, before travelling to Vienna to learn more about the shoe industry.

Baťa created his first shoe company with his brother Antonín, and sister Anna. All three of them put every penny they had into the business, and poured a lot of effort into systemizing everything, from modern (at the time) manufacturing methods, and introduced fixed schedules and weekly wages for employees. Unfortunately, the business went bankrupt fairly quickly.

Baťa wasn’t ready to give up. He took a different approach and invented an affordable, light canvas shoe that was more accessible to the average person which became popular in the country. First, he used his profits to build a bigger factory, and then he bought a trip to the US to work on an assembly line at Ford to get inspired. Later, the Czech eventually got his nickname as the “Czech Henry Ford”.

Read the rest of the article here.

BY: ALEX RICHARDSON

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. One of the most anticipated talks was grouped around Panel III: BREXIT AND FUTURE OF CROSS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS. A long-time insider, a trans-Atlantic affairs specialist, Sinisa Ljepojevic, addressed the audience on this topic with the following:

At the beginning I would like to remind that the idea of leaving the European Union (EU) was developing in the UK for years. So, Brexit is not a kind of “unforeseeable natural distaster”. So, there was and still is some misunderstanding in Europe of that process.

Enough majority of British people simply believe, for many reasons, that for the UK it is better to get out of the European integration. The dominant attitude is that the EU isn’t working. And they are aware there will be many problems but it seems, and I am talking as a witness of that, they are willing to pay that price.

They want to get back a sovereignty of their country, believing that with sovereignty the responsibility of the politicians to their own people will be restored. In other words, they believe that with sovereignty and political responsibility the democracy will be restored. In some way, Brexit was a quiet mutiny against the model of European integration and political elite in the UK. Some British historians even say that Brexit was a third European revolution in modern times. First was French revolution, second was the creation of the EU.

But, there are some other reasons too. We are living in a time when the so-called another, new World order is in process of creation. The world needs new rules and British elite believe that they with long experience in rules business can be an important part of that process. Being a member of the EU will reduce their participation.

There is an especially important influence of the City of London, that is still the biggest financial centre in the world. During the process of making the new rules City of London wants to be more independent. So, British see Brexit as an opportunity. Of course, it is a long process, it is a history in making, and the question is will British elite and politician have enough capacity to make it. It is not yet certain.

It is a complete change of culture, tectonic change. For better or worse the time will show, history will judge. But, essentially it was a choice of the majority of British people and they have the right to do so.

In many ways, Brexit is a larger signal to the EU, a kind of wake up call. Because Brexit was a protest against a dominant model of society that European Union symbolizes. British people are not against Europe they simply don’t want to be part of the present model of society which is full of regulations very often senseless and they want governments or authorities just helping people not to dictate them what and how to do and what to think.

Obviously that such an approach is shared by many other people within the EU, and in that sense Brexit has a wider importance. That fact is that unhappiness with the present structure and way of functioning of the EU is rife in many countries. It might encourage other countries to take back control of their destiny. Will it happen we still don’t know.

Of course, Brexit has changed the international position of the UK. Although Britain is still a member of NATO, and its larger security structure, but in fact it is now so called a “third country”. With it, the UK importance on the international scene is now diminishing. Simply, Birtain does not have enough capacity to be a real world power again. Some politicians assume that the UK can be important as a cross-Atlantic go-between but it is not realistic. It is actually too early to say what effects Brexit will have on the British allies.

For Britain itself it is also difficult to say. Kingdom is still in a transitional period and real effects might be seen in a couple of years. It is a process of huge internal changes, from economic model to political life.

When we are talking about the EU I don’t think that Brexit caused substantial damage. Actually, some political and financial damage exists but not big one. At the moment, Brexit it seems, cannot influence the EU destinity. Why? Because Brexit is a consequence not a cause of the EU crisis. The EU has been in crisis for a long time now and that crisis is in place with Brexit and without Brexit. In other words, Brexit was a wake up call for the EU.

It seems, however, that many in the EU have not heard that alarm. It is one of the reasons why some countries, like France, are trying to cause problems to Britain. But, it seems that French policy has much more with the internal EU relations, mainly between France and Germany. Germany is the biggest EU exporter to the UK and very interested to keep smooth relations with London.

After Brexit relations between the UK and the USA are also pretty complicated. It is a question do so called “special relations” still exists. New American administration announced that it supports the EU and regards it as a key, strategic partner. Seen from that angle, the UK is less important. Previous administration of Democratic party to which the present one is a continuation was against Brexit.

Besides, the trade deal between the UK and the USA is not yet done. There is a lot of problems. Probably it will take much more time to make it although, UK plans to rely more on the USA. But, the UK in best case can be American sub-contractor for less attractive international jobs.

Despite the fact that the United Kingdom, the European Union and America are still in the same Western block, Brexit signals that it is possible within that bloc to have a different way. However, there might be the biggest changes in relations with the global community, first of all with Russia, China and other emerging players in the international community. The biggest differences among western three players are in that field. It is a really huge challenge.

Even in defense concepts there are differences, but generally speaking it seems to me that defense is the only field where all three can keep closer alignment.

In trade there are real differences and can be a big problem. All three players have actually completely different interests. America, it seems, will continue confrontational policy towards China and partly Russia. But, leading European countries have a close cooperation with China, in the investment and technological field, and with Russia in the energy sector. For Britain China is also a strategic partner in investment, finance and technology. Those countries simply speaking can not without China at least for the time being.

Those areas where many Western countries might be better off if engaging in bilateral discussions with Eastern players. It is really serious and it might be the biggest challenge for Western unity. The biggest problems might come from the UK business cooperation with some countries that were targeted by American punishing policy. The most important is British business dealing with China which is a strategic British post-Brexit interest. The City of London is already a world centre of trade in Chinese yuans. The UK simply can not without cooperation with China.

Frankly, in such circumstances it is difficult to see how Britain will maintain so-called “Special relations” with Washington. So, there shouldn’t be ruled out some serious tension between London and Washington. In that light the USA, broadly speaking, is now relying on the EU in European policy. But I do suggest that we will see what will happen. We live in an unstable time and international relations resemble those from the second half of XIX century that means the alliances are changing from day to day.

Despite all challenges and changes the key structure of the trans-Atlantic alliance is still intact but strategic American interests are not in Europe anymore, they are in Eurasia and Far East. It means that the new US administration will continue the policy of the previous one. It may disappoint some in the EU. For, following its own interests Washington might soon ask the EU to go along which basically is against the EU’s own interests.

One of the examples is pipeline North Stream 2. American attempt to block it is not much against Russia, it is just a public excuse, it is in fact against Germany and her further economic development. Of course, everything depends what every political day will carry, as former British Prime-minister Harold Macmillan once said “events make a politics not plans”.

Climate change is one of the rare issues where the wider international community can really cooperate. The three Western players have the ambition to be leaders in that strategic issue. But there are differences between them too. For example, it is not the same for Britain and Germany. In Britain industry is part of the GDP with only 8,5 per cent and it is easier for her to make reductions but in other heavily industrialised countries like Germany it is more difficult.

Also, climate change in many countries outside the West is seen as a political tool to control their development and to blackmail. It is difficult to see in what way climate change policy will be going on because of recent experience when nothing serious has been reached despite many international agreements and conferences. And also many people don’t trust to official narrative and have a doubt is it true or not.

Actually, most efforts should be directed towards a boost of new clean technology development instead of using climate change phenomenon for stealth taxes and punishing people and countries. So, it all suggests that cross-Atlantic relations will go towards recalibration but not decoupling. The key partners are the USA and the EU, not the UK. In fact, it was the situation before Brexit meaning that Brexit will not change cross-Atlantic relations.

After all, despite many problems, the EU, the UK and the USA are the same geopolitical block – Western block, and substantial changes are not visible.

About the author:

Sinisa Ljepojevic, Tanjug senior correspondent London/Washington (aD), writter and author

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

The event was probably the largest gathering since the beginning of 2021 for this part of Europe.

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. Besides discussing the strategic neighbourhood and the Union’s approach to it, underlaying leitmotif was deliverability of the Union’s ambitious New Green Deal for Europe. Numerous panellists (nearly all of the Conference’s Panel II and III) warned that there will be no success in the EU Green Deal without balanced and politically unbiased approach to Energy and Transport.

The problems of the port complex and the creation of new traffic flows in northeastern Europe, raised by the numerous speakers of the Conference on March 8th are relevant for the whole of Europe. The loss of the Baltic countries of Russian transit, the connection, first of all, not with the pandemic, but with the desire of Russia to deprive the Baltic countries of income within the framework of the sanctions war. Rising unemployment and the closure of port facilities will necessitate more funding for these countries from Brussels, and politically could be an economic and political victory for Moscow.

At the same time, officially, Russia’s actions regarding the refusal to use the Baltic ports are not part of the anti-European sanctions and, of course, the issue could be partially resolved in favor of the Baltic States with the appropriate will of all parties to dialogue.

In parallel, Eastern Europe is an object of interest for China, within the framework of its “one belt, one road” project, and this transport corridor simply does not have enough Russian resources either in the Arctic or in a small section of the Russian Baltic. Businesses willing to work with China are not happy with Brussels’ refusal to conclude a financial agreement with China, the signing of which is linked to the human rights situation in China.

At the same time, it is obvious that China will not make concessions to either the EU or the US on this issue, but economic ties with it are important for Europe. Is a unified approach to Chinese investments in the EU and Chinese transport projects through the territory of Russia possible? This is the question that must be resolved for the early recovery of the pandemic-stricken economy in Europe.

Discussions around Nord Stream 2 are primarily of a political nature, exacerbating relations within the EU. Attempts to disrupt this project are no less dangerous for central Europe than for Russia itself, which will find other ways to sell its resources.

The discussions around Nord Stream 2 are primarily political in nature, thus aggravating relations within the EU and, in fact, splitting the single European camp, indirectly playing into the hands of the Kremlin. Attempts to disrupt this project are no less dangerous for central Europe than for Russia itself, which will find other ways to sell its resources.

All this necessitates the emancipated and indigenous, pan-European recalibration of politico-military but also of the economic relations based on reciprocity and unbiased, non-preferential approach. For the EU and Europe as whole this remains the question of all questions – point of failure or success in delivering to its future generations.

About the Author:

Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and Intl Development Department), specialised in Public and Private International law, international development and global politics.

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future – Neighborhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by the Modern Diplomacy, IFIMES and their partners, with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Várhelyi. One of the most anticipated talks was that of the representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO, Specialized Agency of the OUN) – the UN Specialized Agency which also partnered Vienna Process for this event.

Actualizing the (re)industrialization efforts and business continuity in times of C-19 and beyond: With a focus on Europe and its Neighborhood, Florian Peter Iwinjak, of the UNIDO Strategic Relations & Resource Mobilization division stressed the following:

Mr. Iwinjak first gave a snapshot of the mandate, strategic priorities and core functions of UNIDO as shown by the figure below:

He then alluded to the importance of industry and industrialization for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and overcoming the Covid-19 (C-19) crisis. On the social front, industrialization has a proven track record in reducing poverty and one job in manufacturing usually brings between 0.5-2 jobs in other sectors. On the economic front, the there is a high correlation of industrialization with growth rates, GDP, HDI and SDG index. Industrialization is unique due to its economies of scale, linkages and as a source of innovation and allows the possibility for fast-growth and “catching-up”. Moreover, labor productivity in industry is on average higher than in other sectors and it is the basis for trade as the most tradable sector. The transformation of industry is also critical to mitigate climate change and safeguard the environment since two thirds of GHG emissions are industry or energy related. Finally, industry also plays a role for peace and stability: With an increase of MVA per capita of 1%, the number of deaths related to armed conflicts falls by 4.5%. At the same time the creation of a middle class has a stabilizing effect on societies and in terms of income and gender equality.

He invited the audience to also see the current crisis as an opportunity for a (re)assessment of the socio-economic and industrial fiber, for recalibration of industrial policies, for industrial restructuring and repurposing of manufacturing capacities, and for re-skilling and upskilling. Furthermore, the crisis offers possibilities to decarbonize the economy/industry and move towards circular economy to reap the benefits of the 4th industrial revolution and digitalization (including robotization and e-commerce) or to eventually regionalize or even localize value chains (through “back-shoring”).

In order to guarantee business continuity and industrial recovery, countries can follow the following steps:

1. Assessment of the impact of C-19 on the industrial sector
2. Consensus building with a broad range of relevant stakeholders taking into account desired future goals for the industrial sector
3. Development of a national recovery plan
4. Piloting national recovery in specific industrial sectors
5. Replication of pilot success interventions

At the same time, the regional dimension needs to be taken into account, since the pandemic does not stop at borders and it is unrealistic to envisage that every nation can produce every product or service deemed as critical for the post-C-19 recovery phase.

Looking at the joint priorities between the EU and its Neighborhood we see a strong convergence around the following priorities: C-19 recovery (internal & external), Good governance & rule of law, Green Deal / Transition, Job creation & safeguarding, inclusive growth, human development (esp. youth & women), private sector development (especially for SMEs), trade & Investment, Aid for Trade and last but not least digitalization & innovation.

UNIDO has been supporting many of these joint priorities related to its mandate Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID), which is also reflected in SDG 9 on Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Over the last years UNIDO’s mandate has been further strengthened through the Lima Declaration (2013) and Abu Dhabi Declaration (2019) adopted by its Member States.

Based on its mandate, UNIDO has supported these joint priorities of the EU and its Neighborhood over the recent years. The figure below provides selected examples of impactful interventions in the EU’s Neighborhood and beyond.

At the same time, there are ways to further scale-up cooperation through multi-stakeholder partnerships. In Mr. Iwinjak’s opinion the assistance provided by donors through grants, classical Official Development Assistance (ODA), is only an impulse and the technical assistance provided by implementing partners such as UNIDO should ideally be catalytic to leverage additional investments from Development Financing Institutions (DFIs). Further downstream these scaled-up solutions should allow for real mainstreaming in the economy and society thereby guaranteeing longer-term sustainability. Please see the figure below as a simplified visualization of ways for scaling up.

Finally, a good example of scaling-up and integration is UNIDO’s Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) which have been institutionalized with partner countries since 2013. The PCP is characterized by strong government ownership at the highest political level, is founded on a multi-stakeholder partnerships from programme design to implementation. It focuses on a select number of priority sectors and areas essential to the national industrial development agenda, and facilitates the mobilization and coordination of three streams of financial resources (development assistance, public finance and business sector investment). Currently, their PCPs in Ethiopia, Senegal, Peru, Morocco and Cambodia are being implemented. Seven other PCPs in Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda and Tanzania are in the programming phase.

The overall key messages and ideas for future endeavors of Mr. Iwinjak’s intervention were:

• Industry and industrialization play a crucial role for sustainable development and recovery from the C-19 crisis
• C-19 recovery can be seen as opportunity for positive transformation to build back better: more inclusive, more sustainable, and more digitalized
• Europe’s history and future is closely linked with its neighborhood, thus the partners should continue strengthening their partnerships and think of co-industrialization
• Based on joint priorities, we should continue investing in productive capacity/sector
• Expand industrial cooperation dialogues between various regions (incl. private sector, academia, etc.) and use multi-lateral forums such as UNIDO
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships and cooperation will play a critical role in overcoming the crisis and scaling-up viable solutions (UNIDO PCP as good example)

Closing his mesmerizing presentation Mr. Iwinjak suggested some further readings on the topic: UNIDO (2020a): Industrialization as the driver of sustained prosperity ; UNIDO (2020b): COVID-19: Industrial Recovery Programme ; UNIDO (2020c): Responding to the CODIV-19 crisis: Pathway to business continuity & recovery – Guidance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) ; UN (2020a): How COVID-19 is changing the world: a statistical perspective. Volume I and Volume II and UN (2020b): A UN framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19.

Finally, the United Nations Specialized Agency for Industrial Development – UNIDO expressed it preparedness to further partner IFIMES, Modern Diplomacy and associates in their Vienna Process endeavors, soon planned for Geneva and Barcelona.

About the author:

Uulkan Burkanova, of the AUCA (American University of Central Asia) is a specialist on Central Asia. She is a research fellow of the IFIMES Department on Asia (DeSSA).

The largest European trade fair for organic food and natural cosmetics took place in Nuremberg in the traditional February term completely digitally. A total of 1,442 exhibitors from 82 countries presented news from the organic world to 13,800 trade visitors from 136 countries. Simultaneously with the international fair of organic food BIOFACH eSPECIAL, the international fair of natural cosmetics VIVANESS eSPECIAL took place.

The fair presented a wide range of organic products from fresh food, through frozen food, bakery and confectionery products, beverages, raw food. After Germany with 365 exhibitors, the main exhibiting countries were Italy (176), France (70), the Netherlands and Spain (52), Belgium (48), Austria (39). Czech companies had a significant participation (18). There were 1341 exhibitors at Biofach and 102 at Vivaness. During the three-day event, which was divided between the Congress, exhibitor presentations and round tables, 775 conferences and lectures were organized. Participants exchanged 400,000 chats and met through 10,000 video conferences. “The BIOFACH / VIVANESS 2021 eSPECIAL program confirms the strong needs on the international sector to interact, network and have a place to meet. The fair is a place for meetings and mutual communication on an emotional and personal level, as well as a platform for business and knowledge. We´re pleased that this year’s digital format offered a pandemic-compatible alternative and especially that all the stakeholders accepted it so well! At the same time, we’re already fired up about next year. This year we said, ‘Let’s e-meet before we re-meet,’ and now we’re particularly keen to be able to meet up again in person.”commented Petra Wolf, a member of the board of Nürnberg Messe.

The BIOFACH / VIVANESS eSPECIAL Congress, with more than 9,000 participants, is the largest international knowledge and networking platform in the industry. Future market and strategy issues were discussed, learning from each other and passing on knowledge at the congress. The congress is organized by IFOAM – Organics International, the international patron of BIOFACH World, and BÖLW (German Federation of Organic Food Producers), a national institutional sponsor, in cooperation with BIOFACH. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements The worldwide umbrella organization for the organic farming movement, it has almost 800 branches in 117 countries. The central theme of this year’s congress “Shaping transformation. Stronger and Together ”discusses how food turnover can progress even better through the cooperation of different transformation movements. Louise Luttikholt, Executive Director of IFOAM – Organics International, said: “The bio movement is in good company today, which supports the transformation process. Given our enormous challenges, from species extinction to the climate crisis and research into plant breeding, we must not allow the things that have separated us to prevent the transition to an agricultural and food system that is suitable for future generations. That is why it is important that our various movements get to know and strengthen each other. Policy-makers can no longer deny the need and also the possibilities, of a truly sustainable future. The presentation “The German Organic Market: Facts, Figures, Analysis 2021” reached a record number of 700 participants. One of the main topics with 550 participants was “Safe sustainability of packaging: current requirements, trends and challenges for the future”. At the VIVANESS congress, the main topics were “Monitor of the Natural and Organic Cosmetics Industry 2020: Data, Facts and Forecasts” and “Beauty Briefing – Global Trends and Beauty Inspiration.“ Both events were attended by more than 350 participants and more than 200 registered for the STADTLANDBIO digital congress, which took place in parallel with the BIOFACH / VIVANESS eSPECIAL conference. The congress focused on the EU “farm to fork” strategy, a creating healthier foods. The goal is to increase the share of organic farming in the EU to 25% by 2030. The congress participants discussed the opportunities and benefits that the strategy offers at city, community and district level, as well as how better cooperation at EU and municipal level can be achieved. The congress was aimed at decision-makers and experts in organizations and companies.

Trends and awards for new products

Trends at the BIOFACH trade fair in 2021 were “plant products”, “low-sugar and sugar-free products”, “foods with other benefits”, “sustainability and social responsibility” and “waterless beauty” on VIVANESS “my time & comfort, safe beauty / strengthening health beauty / economy”. As part of the News & Trends block, visitors again voted for the best new product in seven categories this year. In total, they had a choice of more than 500 products, six categories were dominated by German companies. Two digital trend tours have proven to be very popular, with more than 540 and 280 inspired listeners. In the fresh food category, Beetgold, a new company founded in 2019, won with whole vegetable-based Tortilla carrot. Kissybio received the award for frozen products for hazelnut ice bar. In the food, cooking and baking category, Davert, which was founded in 1984, was successful with red lentil rice, Food, snacks and sweets were dominated by Lubs with marzipan and choco-mango balls. The Bauck, which has been on the market for more than 50 years, won award for other food products. Focusing on gluten-free products, the new state-of-the-art mill was built in 2011. Oat Crunchy Chocolate was awarded. The Biobaula from Bruckműhle near Munich attracted attention with its Eco Detergent Tabs in the non-food products category. The only Austrian company Sonnentor, which has had a subsidiary in Čejkovice in South Moravia since 1992, interrupted the dominance of German companies. They received the award in the category of drinks for Dandelion Root roasted Fake coffee organic. The new products were also awarded at Vivaness eSPECIAL. It competed in seven categories, German companies won in five and companies from Lithuania won in two. In face care, Wasserneutral Reusable make-up removal pads won. In body care, 4people who care with Solid hand cream was the best. Nada and her Zero Waste Shower Gel & Shampoo controlled the hair care. Hello simple Dish soap was awarded in the drugstore category. Among the wellness products, the best was Mint and Lemongrass Sauna Peeling Cream. The Lithuanian company Mádara won in the category of decorative cosmetics with Velvet Wear Matte Cream Lipstick. The Feminine Lubricant OMG – Yes! from the Lithuanian company UAB Biokosmetikos was the best in the special cosmetics category. For the twelfth time, the MUNDUS VINI BIOFACH competition was held, open exclusively to certified organic wines from around the world. As in previous years, the Tuscan Fattoria La Vialla impressed with its outstanding wines and was named by the international jury Organic Winery of the Year for the seventh time in a row. Fattoria uses organic and biodynamic methods to cultivate 1,400 hectares of land (with the largest Demeter certified surface area in Europe) and produces its own wine, extra virgin olive oil, cheese,etc. At Biofach, their 13 wines were awarded a gold medal and 7 silver. The best sweet wine was Vin Santo “Occhio di Pernice” Riserva DOC 2012 and the best red wine Cortona Syrah Riserva DOC 2017. The jury of experts awarded a total of 199 organic wines with gold and silver medals. In addition, 11 special awards were given to the best organic wines in their category. In addition to the main European wine-growing countries of Germany, Italy, Spain and France, wines from Argentina, Chile and South Africa took part in the competition. With 62 awards, Spanish organic wines achieved the best overall result, closely followed by organic wines from Italy with 57 awards. The quartet of the best wines was complemented by 35 organic wines from France and 31 organic wines from Germany. Five organic wines from Austria and Portugal and two organic wines from Chile and South Africa also received awards this year,

Czech Republic on Biofach

This year, 17 Czech companies and the Ministry of Agriculture took part in the fair for the fourteenth time. Many companies participate regularly, this year due to Covid the participation was smaller, as well as at the entire fair. List of Czech participants: Amylon, Cereabar, České ghíčko, COOC Food sro, Koláčkova pekárna, COUNTRY LIFE sro Deva Nutrition as, DMHERMES Trade sro, EXTRUDO Bečice, Health Link sro, I love Hummus sro, King Food Bohemia sro, KR REAL sro, Ministry of Agriculture, Pet Farm Family sro, SVETLIK GREEN VILLAGE SRO, Wild & Coco sro, Zelená Země sro, Rawvolution sro.

Czech organic agriculture

At the end of 2019, 4690 farms (almost every tenth agricultural enterprise in the Czech Republic) managed ecologically in the Czech Republic on a total area of 541 thousand ha, which represents a 15% share of cultivated agricultural land. Roughly one tenth of the area is in transition and represents the potential for growth of ecological areas in the coming years. At present, organic farmers manage more than 444 thousand ha of permanent grassland, 91 thousand ha of arable land and 6 thousand ha of areas of permanent cultures, especially orchards and vineyards. In 2019, the average size of an organic farm in the Czech Republic was 115 ha (conventional 75 ha), in the EU we have on average the third largest organic farms.

Market and consumption of organic food

At the end of 2019, 825 organic food producers were registered in the Czech Republic. In the course of 2019, 133 entities were newly registered, and 58, on the contrary, terminated their activities. Of the total turnover of organic food production in 2018 in the amount of approximately CZK 4,233 million, CZK 2,117 million, i.e. 50%, was used on the Czech market. Exports of organic food from the Czech Republic are constantly growing and go mainly to EU countries. The average annual consumption per capita increased to CZK 416 and the share of organic food in the total consumption of food and beverages reached 1.6% (the EU average was 76 euros, i.e. 3.7%). Danish and Swiss consumers spent the most money on organic food (both € 312 per capita in 2018).

Information on organic food

PRO-BIO LEAGUE consumer branch PRO-BIO of the Association of Organic Farmers PRO-BIO Šumperk with nationwide scope is focused on the promotion and education of organic food and organic farming system among the consumer public. For more information, visit www.lovime.bio.

Note: The BIOFACH / VIVANESS eSPECIAL program is still available! After February 24, 2021, only active communication functions will be deactivated. The platform will remain in place for another six months as a source of information and all live videos will be available on request. The next year of the BIOFACH and VIVANESS trade fairs will be February 15 – February 18, 2022.

Jaromír Hampl 

Photos: NürnbergMesse

Forcing companies to test their employees for COVID-19 may not be going so well, as new data suggests half of all the positive results are in fact false positives.

A new survey from the Food Chamber determined that companies are having a lot of trouble with the new testing regime because of the inaccuracy of the tests.

The manufacturers never guaranteed 100% accuracy, but companies are noticing a theme where the antigen tests are coming up positive, only to be proven wrong later when the employee takes a PCR test.

Miroslav Koberna, head of the Food Chamber, said that 141 companies participated in the survey, and the results show that nearly half of all those that tested positive were not actually ill with COVID-19.

“A total of 30,671 employees were tested by their companies, and 374 of them tested positive in the antigen testing. 194 of them remained positive after the subsequent PCR test.

Czech construction company OSP is also having trouble with the tests. During their first wave of testing, they conducted 115 tests on employees. Out of all of them, 28 tested positive. Out of those 28, 0 of them remained positive after taking the PCR tests. OSP used saliva tests from Hangzhou Realy Tech.

“I know there are huge differences between all the tests, but I thought that the Ministry of Health was somehow keeping an eye on that. Unfortunately this is not the case. It’s like everything in this government. They’re playing around implementing these measures and everyone else is playing themselves for adhering to them,” OSP CEO Vlastimil Kocanda said.

It’s unclear whether the tests don’t work, the companies received defective batches, or perhaps they’re not being administered properly, but so far they’re not exactly a hit with employers.

Source

Author: ALEX RICHARDSON

Czech animation and games production companies reported that 2020 showed better results than 2019 with few negative effects of COVID-19. On the contrary, the effects were mostly positive, and the Czech gaming industry is developing. The results are based on Creatoola’s research.

The Czech gaming production industry recently performed well on the international arena. For example, Beat Saber from the Beat company sold four million copies over the world.

“In addition to financial stability, these companies also offer the opportunity to participate in projects that go far beyond the borders of our market. Many Czech studies have already achieved significant global success and are working on projects where their people can learn a lot and use the latest technologies and procedures,” Marek Toušek from the Creatoola platform explained.

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t cause unemployment in the gaming sector. 14 out of 19 companies added that they are frequently looking for new people. Getting a job in the gaming sector can be a good investment in a future career.

“The advantage is that these industries have a good future, they thrive. Hard-working and experienced experts also get rewarded very well,” Toušek added. Those companies are in constant search of good specialists in programming, animations, and editors.

Companies also shared information about the salaries. The rise in salaries didn’t happen, however, the salaries are still high. Some results showed 100 000 czk as their salary. A few participants explained that the basic salary for beginners doesn’t exceed 35 000 czk.

Creatoola’s specialization is in the gaming industry and animation production. It was created by the Animated Film Association with the help of the Brno Game Cluster.

Source

Author: IRINA NIKOLAEVA

Everyone is very welcome to the next virtual event of Startup Disrupt powered by LXVI! On the 31st of March, we’ll live stream an amazing event with 3 extraordinary speakers – Andrej Kiska (Startup investor at early-stage venture capital fund Credo Ventures), Tomáš Navrátil (Senior Lawyer focused on company acquisitions at HAVEL & PARTNERS), and Marek Polčák (CEO & Co-Founder of VRgineers Inc.).

We will talk about the first steps of startup founders, the role of the startup ecosystem, investments, opportunities for early-stage startups, and many other interesting topics.

Agenda:
7.00 PM – 7.05 PM CET – Welcome Speech
7.05 PM – 8.00 PM CET – Panel Discussion
8.00 PM – 8.20 PM CET – Pitch Night

Speakers:

Anrej Kiska – Credo Ventures
Tomáš Navrátil – HAVEL & PARTNERS
Marek Polčák – Vrgineers Inc.

The event will be online streamed in English.

Link to the event: https://www.startupdisrupt.com/events/startup-founders-navigating-through-early-days/

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

Among other notable speakers there was also a prominent EAF Lawyer of Latvia, Andrejs Pagors. His polemic, but very constructive views and suggestions contributed to the greatly mesmerising flow and outcome of the central conference’s panel. Central to his address was the question: A political bias and economic wellbeing – is reconciliation between the two possible? Following lines are his contribution to this highly successful Vienna Process event:

Latvia, like the rest of Europe, is experiencing the consequences of the Covid 19 (C-19) measures, which directly affects the economic state of the country and regions.

Small and medium-sized businesses are especially affected, for which the government has not yet developed a system of assistance, and the criteria for assistance do not allow all enterprises to apply for assistance from the state.

It should be noted that the crisis in Latvia did not begin in March 2020, but at the end of 2019. The drop in GDP was associated with a drop of transit and production sectors. A crisis or an epidemic has become the perfect cover for the lack of an economic development plan for the country.

The inadequate and purely concepted economic conduct of the government has led to the fact that the economic crisis will continue, and a more powerful wave awaits us, experts say. The government was not ready for the second wave of C-19 and the third wave is approaching for which we are not ready again.

Latvia is unique in that we are not trying to apply restrictive measures to save businesses that work in other European countries, but we come up with our own illogical measures that do not work, and we see that the number of cases is growing. Correct and logical measures will help to return to normal life, and this will allow the business to work productively and develop.

In all countries, except for Latvia, the government tried to support and prevent a drop in consumption of the inhabitants of their country, thereby supporting production. In Latvia, an unfortunate measure to ban trade in a number of goods led to the closure of production, which ultimately reduced tax revenues to the state treasury by 18.5%.

White flags at shopping centers symbolize a decrease in turnover and that the safety factor is running out. Enterprises that, due to restrictions, were unable to sell seasonal goods, did not receive working capital to purchase new goods. The government was slow to realize the opportunity to support the business by allocating money for working capital that could be used to pay off rent and pay utility bills.

A political bias and economic wellbeing – You can not have both

At the same time, the current authorities did not take any measures for state economy or rejection of non-priority projects. If we compare with other countries, the reduction of government officials began everywhere. In Latvia, the number of officials has not been reduced, even with a decrease in the amount of work. From every 1 euro of tax paid to the treasury, 0.15 euro is spent on the maintenance of the state apparatus.

At the same time, during the C-19 measures, Latvia turned out to be one of the leaders of the sanctions policy that was deadly for business. For 30 years Russia and Belarus have been using Latvian ports. And objectively for central Russia, Belarus, our three leading ports of Ventspils, Riga and Liepaja are more profitable than the Russian Ust-Luga. The tariffs are 25-30% lower, the speed of cargo clearance is faster.

However, the result of many years of anti-Russian rhetoric was Russia’s refusal to work with Latvia. The Kremlin used the administrative resource, and the goods went bypassing the Baltic countries. At the moment we have lost banking business, transit and trade with our neighbors Belarusians and the Russian Federation. Consequently, the economy became hostage to politics. There was hope for China. Moreover, scientists are sounding the alarm and note the slowdown of the Gulf Stream, which could nullify all the efforts of Russia and China on the northern sea route.

China has a well-known project – “One Belt – One Road”, it is also called the “New Silk Road”. Beijing was ready to work in both Latvia and Estonia. However, following in the wake of American policy, the Chinese were not allowed to enter the Baltic. And now, after the breakdown of the EU-China investment agreement due to the Uyghur agenda, there is no need to wait for investments from China. Hence, due to political problems, port complexes – just few years ago still among the most promising in the Baltics, is now threatened.

At the municipal or city level, the situation is the same as on the state level. Let me use as an example my own birth city: Jelgava (Mitava), 800 years of history and development. Where 20 years ago minibuses of the European level were produced and one of the largest sugar factories worked.

At the end of the 90s, the RAF plant with 4,000 employees was liquidated, and in 2006 the Jelgava “cukurfabrika” was liquidated, which produced sugar for the whole country and for export, gave jobs and developed agriculture, which was engaged in the cultivation of sugar beets. The political elites made concessions to the EU in exchange for positions and places in the Brussels apparatus. Now, Latvia buys sugar in Denmark. In 2010, a major investor in the production of railroad cars came to the city, but again political interference prevented the start of large-scale production in the city, although the amount of financial injection into the city was equal to the entire annual budget of the city. This time, the investor was from neighboring Estonia. But politics intervened here too.

Rocky 2020 showed us that things are not changing for the better. In addition to the war of sanctions with Russia and China, the “war of vaccines” was added. At the same time, the old national political establishment continues to live according to the principle “the state is us”, prioritizing its own interests, and not the country’s economy. I note that the C-19 measures have demonstrated the weaknesses of the EU. Recently, the European Commission diversified the procurement of vaccines returning it onto the Member States level – each country has the right to purchase it independently.

What will than happen next? If the EU cannot resolve important issues, maybe we, the EU states, need more autonomy in economic matters, in the implementation of national projects, too. And in the change of political teams that turned out to be inadequate to effectively tackle the mounting C-19 induced socio-political and economic crisis.

About Author;

Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, he is an International Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Po prosinci 2021 musí všechny právnické osoby v EU nad 50 zaměstnanců zavést tzv. vnitřní oznamovací systém pro ohlašování podezření z protiprávního jednání (tzv. whistleblowing). Lidé, kteří v práci upozorní na nějaké protiprávní jednání budou nově chráněni zákonem.

Organizace Oživení pomáhá firmám, obcím i státním institucím připravit se na přicházející změny. Radíme, informujeme, pomáháme. Jsme tu pro vás.

Proč právě letos?

Na konci roku 2019 Evropská unie schválila směrnici, která stanovuje pravidla pro ochranu lidí, kteří v práci upozorní na protiprávní jednání. Česká republika v současné době na základě této směrnice schvaluje vlastní zákon. Směrnice/zákon začne platit v prosinci roku 2021.

Proč se vůbec téma řeší?

Smyslem zákona je nejen přímá ochrana lidí, kteří v rámci své práce upozorní na nějaký problém, ale v obecnější rovině jde o podporu otevřeného a etického pracovního prostředí, zejména pomocí fungujícího systému interních oznámení. Základem má být důvěrnost a bezpečnost komunikace a posilování vzájemné důvěry zaměstnanců a jejich vedením.

Věděli jste, že:

42 % procent nákladů ušetřily organizace, které mají funkční oznamovací mechanismus na řešení nekalostí (zpráva PwC z r. 2020)

50 % informací o interních podvodech přichází od zaměstnanců (ACFE Report to the Nations 2020: Global study on occupational fraud and abuse)

28 % zaměstnanců netuší, kam se obrátit, v případě, že se ve firmě setkají s korupcí

JAK se můžete zapojit?

Abychom nabídli zaměstnavatelům, firmám a institucím co nejpraktičtější pomoc, připravujeme metodickou příručku pro správné nastavení interního oznamovacího systému.

EMPATICKÉ ROZHOVORY

• Součástí přípravy na uvedené změny jsou také tzv. empatické rozhovory se zástupci Compliance oddělení, nebo HR oddělení.

• Jedná se zhruba o 30 min. online rozhovor. Rozhovory použijeme jen pro naše účely, nechystáme se je zveřejňovat, budeme z nich vycházet zejména v našich vzdělávacích a metodických materiálech.

Co získáte:

• Na základě těchto strukturovaných rozhovorů se snažíme udělat si správnou představu, jak ve firmách a institucích skutečně oznamování funguje, kde respondenti spatřují problémy, co si myslí, že by bylo dobré zlepšit, jakou by uvítali podporu atd.

7 STATEČNÝCH

Hledáme 7 statečných firem, kterým nabízíme analýzu aktuálního nastavení interního oznamovacího systému z pohledu připravovaného zákona a zpracování návrhu na jeho vylepšení. Informace získané z konzultací budou podkladem pro naši metodiku, která pomůže i ostatním firmám zavést si dobře fungující vnitřní systém.

Konzultace k zákonu

Všem, kteří chtějí mít co nejpřesnější a aktuální informace nabízíme naše poradenství. Základní informace k tématu oznamování najdou zájemci na webu Pískámfauly.cz, ale každý nás může kontaktovat přímo. Oceníme vaše názory na připravované změny.

Kontaktujte nás pro více informací, rádi Vás podpoříme:
Šárka Trunkátová, sarka.trunkatova@oziveni.cz

Oživení dlouhodobě pomáhá těm, kteří se v práci nebáli ozvat. V roce 2011-2012 jsme provozovali protikorupční linku 199. V roce 2012 jsme zpracovali analýzu o Ochraně oznamovatelů v ČR v porovnání s dalšími zeměmi, v roce 2014 analýzu O nás s námi, která zkoumala ochranu oznamovatelů na základě 40 rozhovorů s oznamovateli u nás i v zahraničí. V roce 2015 jsme se stali členy pracovní komise Předsedy rady Vlády pro boj s korupcí k whistleblowingu. Pomáháme firmám i úřadům s nastavování interních kanálů. Provozujeme zabezpečené rozhraní pro oznamování nekalostí GlobaLeaks. Jsme členy Asociace společenské odpovědnosti a mezinárodní sítě Whistleblowing international network.

The pandemic has rapidly accelerated digital transfor-mation projects. It has also driven mass adoption of mo-bile payments. After a slow start in the US, the use of mo-bile wallets is rapidly catching up with cash payments. Mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are also becoming increasingly popular in Europe as well as globally.

Many Apple-fans, including myself, can no longer imagine life without Apple Pay. I hardly carry cash and I don’t usually go to places where they don’t accept contactless payments. Last year, Alphabet introduced a new version of Google Pay, its mobile payment service. It brought many advanced features and took the whole service to the next level. The older version is still fully operational, however, its days are obvious-ly coming to an end. At least in the US where the company has begun informing users that it will stop working in April.

Mobile payments are here to stay as they now represent the “new nor-mal” as much as working from home does. And what about you? Do you use Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Mobile Wallet Opportunity

Mobile wallets are not, despite first glance, a financial technology. In-stead, they will continue to have their biggest impact on the customer experience. People want a digital loyalty card on their mobile phones. People are interested in having expired coupons automatically updated to new offers. Yes, on their mobile phone. In other words, it’s not just a new way to pay that people want. It is a desire for more convenience.

The largest tech companies in the world — Apple and Alphabet — have been the primary drivers of the adoption of mobile wallets. It is not hard to see why. The eventual goal of these initiatives is to integrate them into our digital lives to the degree that people can search for a product or service, and pay for it with one click. To make shopping more seam-less than ever before.

Read the rest here.

BY: LADISLAV POLEDNA

The Czech design and glass company LASVIT is proud to unveil its first major installation in Mexico, in the very heart of its vibrant capital. St. Regis Mexico City commissioned LASVIT to install Twirl, designed by LASVIT’s design team member Katarína Kudějová Fulínová.

Twirl is a chandelier descending through the hotel’s multiple floors, with glass components pooling on a ground floor foyer table. Like a waterfall flowing through one of Mexico’s famous ancient sink-holes – the cenotes – this waterfall of glass refreshes the weary traveler and lets them bask in a pool of light. It consists of 358 glass components made of fine Bohemian glass, which play in many colorful hues and shimmer on the hotel’s walls. In one of the hottest capitals in the world, such a refreshing sensation can make all the difference.

LASVIT’s St. Regis installation is a direct reference to one of the most curious natural formations ever recorded – cenotes, which the ancient Maya used as a sacred place. “I search for inspiration in nature and its morphology. My work has an abstract form which opens space for imagination and functions as a window into our interior, into our subconscious,” says the LASVIT designer Katarína Kudějová Fulínová. Inspired by the power of nature, the cascading waterfall of glass gives each visitor of the most populous city in North America a moment of quiet inspiration. With cutting edge modern glassmaking technology, LASVIT has created a natural wonder right inside one of the most luxurious hotels in the city.

Surrounded by emblematic landmarks, prominent museums, exclusive art galleries, and boutiques, the St. Regis Mexico City places guests at the epicenter of an outstanding legacy. Its 31 floors offer a view of the city skyline and the area’s most iconic landmarks: the Chapultepec Castle, Diana The Huntress and the Angel of Independence. Old meets new in this bustling global hub.

You can find images of the St. Regis Mexico project here.

ABOUT LASVIT

LASVIT is a Czech-based designer and manufacturer of bespoke lighting installations and glass objects. Since its foundation in 2007, the company’s mission has been to inspire the world with the beauty of Bohemian glass.

LASVIT is a young company, yet it builds on the long history of glassmaking in Northern Bohemia. The founder of LASVIT, Leon Jakimič, has great respect for the glassmaking tradition, but also enthusiasm for cutting-edge design and modern technologies. Tailor-made lighting pieces are entangled with the genius loci of each specific place. We create storytelling designs.

LASVIT has been cooperating with many of today’s design stars and has become an influential company that is often the first step in the budding career of young and talented designers – the design stars of tomorrow. The company has already decorated more than 2 000 unique places all over the world.

Since 2011, the creative style has been set by designer Maxim Velčovský. Their original design approach won LASVIT the “design Oscar” at Salone del Mobile 2018.

LASVIT illuminates the world with inspiration, yet the source comes straight from the homeland. The company’s headquarters are in the heart of Northern Bohemia, and part of the complex is also a glass house – the metaphorical “lighthouse of glassmaking,” illuminating the whole region and beyond.

#LasvitDesign #LasvitCollections

If you own a start-up or a small business, the pandemic is probably giving you a hard time maintaining customer engagement — understandably so.

It is hard enough to survive with all the bans on social gatherings, and with social distancing and lockdowns. People are not walking around, seeing billboards, and going into brick & mortar stores. So how the heck can you keep driving loyalty and engage with people?

We are seeing interesting shifts in behavior such as a steep increase in online streaming and mobile payments. People are also spending more time gaming, or listening to audiobooks. They are also spending more time — and money — online. Another big thing is the restriction on cookies started by Google’s recent announcement that it will no longer be supporting third-party cookies. We have seen a shift from the open web to mobile apps.

Read the rest here.

Author: LADISLAV POLEDNA

Airbnb’s presence in the European real estate market has dissipated in most cities on the continent after a year of COVID-19 restrictions.

According to real estate management companies in Prague, Lisbon, Barcelona and Venice, property investors’ business models have largely switched from being centered around short-term Airbnb rentals, to long-term rentals to regular tenants.

Airbnb investment and analytics site AirDNA shows that Airbnb listings have disappeared by an average of 21.9% in 50 of Europe’s largest cities. On the other hand, because of a growing desire to get out of the cities, Airbnb has more listings in rural areas today than they did at the same time in 2019.

According to insideairbnb.com, Airbnb listings in Prague fell from 14,500 to less than 8,000 between March 2020 and December 2020.

Reuters sources record a 50% drop in Airbnb accommodations between January 2020 and January 2021. “I was losing $20,000 a month, and regulation was making things very complicated,” a Prague landlord told them. “The Airbnb boom is over.”

Forward bookings in Rome, Lisbon, and Budapest, which are all 90% lower than in March of 2020.

Marco Gasparinetti, of Italian resident rights NGO Gruppo 25 Aprile, said that the activist group hopes that changes brought on by the COVID-19 restrictions continue into the future so that people can actually afford to live in their own cities. Venice has 60,000 inhabitants, but takes in 20 million tourists each year.

“Before the pandemic, rent prices in Venice were almost impossible for normal people… 30,000 people commute to Venice every single day, because they can’t afford to live there. That could change now, and maybe Venice can be something else besides a big theme park for tourists.”

Before the complete shutdown of the economy and restrictions on human movement, mayors from all over Europe were trying to organize for regulation on Airbnb to tame all the issues stemming from the rental site.

The COVID-19 restrictions are probably not what they had in mind, but they have been able to accomplish what the mayors and politicians struggled with.

Author: ALEX RICHARDSON

Source

With dozen of things on our minds and around us, sometimes we all struggle to focus on particular tasks, especially if they are mundane ones. Other factors affect our ability to concentrate, too, like time-wasting habits or not fueling our bodies properly.

If you often find it hard to focus, it’s difficult to perform at your best. Luckily, when you need help to get you through the day, there are several techniques you can try out to complete work quicker.

It’s all about building good habits, so let’s dig into five effective tips for better focus at work!

1. Fuel your body properly

Caffeine can indeed equip you with extra energy, but it’s all about moderation. Small doses of caffeinated beverages have cognitive-enhancing properties, but on the flip side, drinking too much coffee will tire you out and lead to anxiety and nervousness.

Another essential aspect of keeping your brain sharp and focused is sticking to balanced, nutritious meals.

When discussing substances that help your body function at an optimal level, there is a shortcut to boost your memory, motivation, creativity, and cognitive function. Try out nootropic drinks, one of the most popular natural supplements focused on brain and memory health.

They are packed with natural ingredients that contribute to increased productivity over long periods, more restful sleep, and nervous system protection. And as a bonus, these smart drinks result in better overall health.

When your body is fueled correctly, you can easily take action and attack that project in front of you!

2. Minimize distractions

Imagine this: new emails keep popping up in your inbox, your phone is ringing, your colleagues are chatting about their plans for the weekend, and your boss expects a report from you. It can get quite annoying and negatively impact your productivity.

Start with closing the door to your office if you have one or moving to a quiet area, and tell your colleagues not to distract you for a certain period.

Turn off noisy notifications for email, Facebook, and other apps, and block distracting websites like social media pages. Since your brain has to process a lot of information while browsing social networks, it drains energy.

And if you need a bit of help, you can utilize distraction blocking apps.

3. Try out the Pomodoro technique

When you are focused, you can do more in less time. But the truth is that nobody can work for hours on full steam without getting overwhelmed and exhausted. Instead, try out a powerful time management method that alternates focused work sessions with frequent short breaks.

The Pomodoro technique is based on training your brain to stay focused on a task for a short period.

You concentrate on a single task for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. When your session ends, record what you’ve completed to boost your motivation and get a sense of accomplishment. After four such sessions, you get to take a longer, more restorative 15-30 minute break.

Bear in mind that short breaks help maintain a steady level of performance since our brains aren’t designed to retain attention for long hours.

4. Plan ahead and stay mindful!

Not having a proper plan is one of the key reasons behind losing focus. Scheduling your tasks hour by hour will give a structure to your workday and help you prioritize your responsibilities. Also, it is a great exercise that will provide you with that extra push when you are wrestling with your attention span.

With a realistic hourly-work plan, you’ll know what to do when and what you need to accomplish during a workday.

And for those times when your mind wanders away, you can maintain awareness of where you are and what you are doing by practicing breathing techniques, meditation, and mindful movement like yoga. These practices can help you train your brain to bring your focus back quickly.

5. Organize your to-do list and set clear deadlines

Studies have confirmed that a written plan of action can increase productivity. But, huge and chaotic to-do lists can be motivation hinders. The best way to organize your to-do list and get things done is to choose two or three key tasks and put them at the top of your list.

Then rank the rest of them according to their importance. This way, you’ll deal with urgent tasks while you’re rested and your energy levels are up.

Setting clear deadlines for all the tasks creates a sense of urgency and motivates you to focus on a particular task.

With a complex project or a time-consuming task in front of you, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and procrastinate. If you break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks that can be achieved in less than one day, you’ll feel rewarded and confident each time you complete a part.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-stay-focused#get-rid-of-distractions
https://www.proofhub.com/articles/stay-focused-at-work
https://www.scoro.com/blog/stay-focused-at-work/
https://www.mensjournal.com/style/7-ways-to-stay-focused-at-work/
https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/how-to-focus-at-work/
https://www.fashionbeans.com/2017/9-ways-to-boost-your-productivity/

By Peter Minkoff

Peter is a lifestyle and travel writer at Men-Ual magazine, living between Ústí nad Labem and Antwerp. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

This innovative technology could make public places, including airplanes, safer in the future.

Studio Roosegaarde wants to save public spaces with the help of its new alternative “sun.”

In March, the design firm from the Netherlands unveiled Urban Sun, a light it says can “safely clean up to 99.9% of the coronavirus” off of public surfaces and in the air in the blink of an eye.

“We can make places up to 99.9% virus-free in minutes, depending on weather and location, so the chance of getting sick or infecting each other is strongly diminished,” Studio founder Daan Roosegaarde told Dezeen about the project, which was developed by scientists and researchers from the United States, Japan, Italy, and the Netherlands.

According to the company, the Urban Sun uses far-UVC, a type of ultraviolet light that has the ability to kill viruses without posing a health risk to humans. The light can be used to shine a large circle into public spaces, including train stations, schools, and public squares. All they have to do is hang the overhead system above and shine the large cone light to sanitize the space below.

“The goal is not to say that we don’t need the vaccine or that we don’t need masks,” Roosegaarde added. “Urban Sun doesn’t cure coronavirus, but it does allow social gatherings to be safer.”

Jet Bussemaker, President of the Council of the Public Health and Society Board, the Netherlands’ independent parliamentary advising body, praised the project by noting, “It is inspiring. People are tired of COVID19. What we need is courage to find new solutions, to get in touch with each other, and create some intimacy. That is what Urban Sun is doing.”

While the technology may seem far-fetched it’s actually already in development for use in indoor spaces, according to Dezeen. Companies like Boeing are looking to use the tech to clean cabins in minutes to allow for safer travel for all.

“Suddenly our world is filled with plastic barriers and distance stickers, our family reduced to pixels on a computer screen,” Roosegaarde said. “Let’s be the architects of our new normal and create better places to meet.”

For more information on the Urban Sun check out the company’s website here.

Source

“People have the right to know what those in power are doing” Dunja Mijatovic Council of Europe, Commissioner for Human Rights.

Access to information legislation was first seen in 1766 in Sweden, with parliamentary interest to access information held by the King. Finland in 1951, the United States in 1966, and Norway in 1970 also adopted similar legislation. Today there are 98 states with access laws; of these, more than 50 incorporated in their constitution. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights 2006 and the European Court of Human Rights 2009 both ruled that access to information is a human right, confirmed in July 2011 by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, a sine qua non of 21st-century democracy.

Global civil society movements have been promoting transparency, with activists and journalists reporting daily on successes in obtaining information and denouncing obstacles and frustrations in the implementation of this right. To this end, the Council of Europe was inspired by pluralistic and democratic ideals for greater European unity, adopted the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents recognising a general right of access to official documents held by public authorities. It brings a minimum standard for the fair processing of requests for access to official documents with the obligation for member states to secure independent review for restricted documents unless withheld if the protection of the documents is considered legitimate.

The right to freedom of information

Access to information is a government scrutiny tool. Without it, human rights violations, corruption cases, and anti-democratic practices would never be uncovered. Besides exposing demerits, the policy is also known to improve the quality of public debates while increasing participation in the decision making process. Indeed, transparency of authorities should be regarded as a fundamental precondition for the enjoyment of fundamental rights, as guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The policy equips citizens and NGOs with the necessary tool to counter refusal from authorities to provide information. The European Court of Human Rights recognised that withheld documents could be accessed in specific circumstances. In principle, all information should be available, and those upheld can also be accessed, particularly when access to that particular information is crucial for the individual or group to exercise their freedoms unless of course, the information is of national security or of private nature.

Access to information in times of crisis a first line weapon against fake news

The COVID pandemic has enabled us to test access policies and benchmark the effectiveness of the right to know during trivial times, as Dunja Mijatovic mentioned. In fact, having easy access to reliable information protects the population from being misled and misinformed, a first-line weapon dismantling popular fake news and conspiracies. Instead, during COVID, access to information has supported citizens in responding adequately to the crisis. Ultimately, transparency is also a trust-building exercise.

Corruption and environmental issues

Information is a weapon against corruption. The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) is looking at the specific issue of access to official documents in the context of its Fifth Evaluation Round, which focuses on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments and law enforcement agencies. In about a third of the reports published so far, GRECO has recommended the state to improve access to official documents. In regards to the environment, the United Nations Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, commonly referred to as the Aarhus Convention, expands the right of access to information on environmental matters thus complementing the Tromsø Convention. Declaring these policies as the primary tools that empower citizens and defenders to protect the environment we live in.

Good models exist

Most Council of Europe member states have adequate mechanisms regarding the right to information. For example, in Estonia, “the Public Information Act provides for broad disclosure of public information” states Mijatovic. Moreover, “in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and several other countries there is an independent oversight body – such as an Information Commissioner – responsible for monitoring and enforcing the right to information, while some other countries entrust Parliamentary Ombudsmen with supervision of the right of access to information”. Finally, “the constitutions of several European countries do indeed guarantee the fundamental right to information.” Nonetheless, there are still inconsistent levels of transparency among state institutions or a failure to meet the requirement for proactive disclosure. The entry into force of the Tromso Convention will be an opportunity to bring back to the table the importance of the right to information and to readjust European States practices regarding the enhancement.

Barriers and Challenges

Digitization is still recent, and authorities are not accustomed to dealing openly. There is a sentiment of reservation and caution. Before the advent of the internet, governments enjoyed a level of political efficiency and practical obscurity. Viewing public records required the time and effort of a visit to the records’ physical location and prevented easy access to details of individual files. Openness has made the policy cycle longer, with a more thorough consultation process and debates. The availability of digital documents has caused an unavoidable conflict.

One of the conflicts is a privacy protection and policy safeguards invoked against freedom of information requests. Requirements to provide transparency of activities must be mitigated with national security, individuals’ safety, corporate interests, and citizens’ right to privacy. Finding the right balance is essential to understand how local governments manage the dichotomy between providing open access to their records by maintaining the public’s privacy rights.

Several governments think twice before pursuing transparency policies. Access to information hasn’t been a priority for some of the European States. Mijatovic reported that “filtering of information and delays in responses to freedom of information requests have been observed in several member states”. Although there is a growth in these laws’ popularity, we are always a step behind meeting the supply and demand of information objectives in an era of digitization.

Legal perspectives

Tromso Convention has only been ratified by eleven countries, which are mostly located in Scandinavia (Finland, Norway and Sweden) or in Eastern Europe (Bosnia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Moldavia and Ukraine). Reading this statement, three questions should come to our minds:

1. Why not all European states have ratified Tromso Convention?
2. Why do Scandinavian countries have chosen to ratify the Convention?
3. Why are most of the Member States from Eastern Europe?

Regarding the first question, the answer resides in the fact that the ones who haven’t taken part in the Convention already have strong national laws protecting freedom of information and don’t need to bother with extra protection and external surveillance. For instance, Germany passed a law in 2005, promoting the unconditional right to access information. Many other European states such as Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France & Poland have similar national law.

Regarding the second question, considering that all Scandinavian countries already have national laws assessing freedom of information, the most likely reason behind their ratification would be symbolic support to the cause or because the Convention’s framework is less restrictive than their national laws.

Finally, concerning the last question, we could suppose that most Eastern countries have an interest in demonstrating themselves as more transparent, more following the rule of law. For example, if we examine Montenegro’s case, we could assume that taking part in the Tromso Convention is a step closer to their accession to the EU in 2025.

As for the reservations that have been made, only Finland, Norway and Sweden have made some noticeable. Regarding Norway, the country declared that “communication with the reigning Family and its Household” will remain private in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Convention. This limitation covers something interesting, considering that, as mentioned earlier, access to the data type of legislation was first adopted in order to get access to information held by the King. In parallel, Finland declared that “the provisions of Article 8 of the Convention concerning the review procedure [will] not apply to a decision made by the President of the Republic in response to a request for access to a document. Article 8 provides protection against arbitrary decisions and allows members of the population to assert their right to information. Sweden has made a similar reservation on Article 8 paragraph 1 regarding “decisions taken by the Government, ministers and the Parliamentary Ombudsmen”.

Thoughts towards better implementation

For smoother data access implementation, governments can act on transparency without waiting for legislation through internal bureaucratic policy. These voluntary provisions for openness can be an exercise towards a more organic cultural transformation.

Lengthy debates on open access are entertained by exceptions to access. To be sure, governments have enough legal and political tools to withhold information, regardless of how exemptions have been drafted. Instead, a more productive and efficient process is possible if we concentrate on positive implementation and enforcement, including the procedures for challenges on legal exemptions.

The implementation phase of access laws is challenging due to a lack of leadership motivation, inadequate support for those implementing these requests, especially since they require a long term social and political commitment. To do so, an overall dedication and government bureaucratic cultural shift should take place. Although the implementation of access to information should be included internally in all departments, considering a standardized centralized approach to lead the new regime with authority could send an important message. Record keeping and archiving should be updated to respond to requests with improved information management systems. As such, the goal would be to make a plethora of information immediately and unconditionally available.

About Authors;

Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, he is anInternational Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and Intl Development Department), specialised in Public and Private International law, international development and global politics.

Ned Ludd’s body was filled with anger.

All he was able to think about was the ‘devilish machine’. ‘I won’t let them take my job away from me’, a thought ran through young weaver’s mind. Trembling with rage, his fingers grasped a giant hammer, he swung and the stocking frame standing in front of him ended up smashed into little pieces…

Or at least a popular urban tale tells so. The alleged incident is associated with the roots of the Luddite movement of the early 19th century which alongside a bloom of mechanized manufacturing stirred up fears of unemployment and other socially disruptive effects of the Industrial revolution.

Even though industrialization was unstoppable and took over the world, the sentiment of worrying about peoples’ jobs in the face of technological progress shows up even today, two centuries later. Only this time, the equivalent of coal and steam engines within Industry 4.0 turns out to be artificial intelligence and machine learning. As more organizations adopt AI-augmented solutions, the boost of smart automatization puts a query: Do AI robots displace the need for human intelligence? At Born Digital, we don’t think so. And here are 5 reasons why:

Reason #1: Human advantage is creativity

Even though AI innovations usher new and new human-like solutions, such as fluently speaking voicebots, at its core AI keep being nothing more than an algorithm that can only do what it’s programmed to do. The creative spark and ability to get out of the rut and improvise remain profoundly human and even the most effective applications of AI will still require a human touch.

Reason #2: AI takes over tasks that humans can’t do anyway

Imagine yourself standing in front of an ATM, biting your nails desperately to remember the PIN code to your payment card. If you reach out to the bank’s contact center for help, the operator will not be allowed to look up and give you your password for security reasons, even though it is stored in the bank’s database. In this particular case, the only obstacle to resolve your problem is the fact that there’s a human being on the other end of the line. Cross out the human from the equation and assign the task to AI-driven voicebot and, voilà, a service that has not yet been possible to provide suddenly becomes standard without a human being displaced because he or she couldn’t provide the service before anyway.

Read the rest here.

BY: DOMINIKA VRBECKÁ

The average man in the Czech Republic eats his own weight worth of meat every year.

According to Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the average Czech man weighs 83.6 kilograms and eats about 83.2 kilograms of meat a year.

The majority of all meat consumed in the Bohemian lands is chicken and pork, with the remaining portion being beef, fish, various wild game, and organ meats.

The amount of chicken consumed today is five kilograms more than it was in 2010, while other meats have remained at more or less the same consumption rate for the past decade, according to CSZO.

“Last year, 454,846 tonnes of meat were produced in the Czech Republic, of which 211,436 were pork, 170,725 tonnes were poultry, and 75,518 tonnes were beef.”

Of all the chicken consumed in the Czech Republic, 63% of it is sourced from within the country. Of the pork, 43% of it is created domestically. With beef, the country is almost completely self-sufficient.

The CZSO’s data says, “We’ve been self-sufficient in the production of cereals, milk, beef, sugar and beer for a long time.”

The country also does well producing its own cheeses, eggs, and apples.

On a global scale, Czechs don’t eat as much meat as one might think; they rank around 30th in the world for annual meat consumption. Not bad, but nowhere near the levels of Uruguay, Argentina, or Hong Kong.

The CZSO determined that 2019 witnessed the highest annual consumption of food since the country started keeping track in 1993.

Source

BY: ALEX RICHARDSON

Hundreds of thousands of Czechs fail to report a change in permanent residency years after moving elsewhere to study, work or even raise a family. This leads to problems determining the proper current and future capacities of kindergartens, schools and waste collection, iRozhlas.cz reports.

For example, in the streets of Brno, people often place rubbish outside containers, Iveta Jurenová, deputy chair of a waste collection agency says.

“It’s difficult when you find no address label on a box, for example, to determine who threw it away. And although the costs of disposal are high, they are usually borne by the city.”

If Brno had an accurate count of how many people lived in each district, garbage collection would be easier to organize. Because people move most often to bigger cities but do not change their permanent residence, smaller municipalities tend to get more money per capita, notes Brno City Hall spokesman Filip Poňuchálek.

“The city must ensure the smooth operation of transport infrastructure, sewage systems and education for the actual number of people. But it receives funds only for the number of people with permanent residence.”

According to the Czech Statistical Office, Brno has about 380,000 residents, but according to Poňuchálek, at least 40,000 more people actually live in the city. In Prague, the difference is even more striking. About 1.3 million people report permanent residence in the Czech capital, but city officials estimate over 1.5 million actually live there.

There is no law requiring people to is not illegal to report a change in permanent address, and the Ministry of the Interior has no plans to change that, spokesman Ondřej Krátoška says, because it is unclear which authorities would check who actually lives where.

“Checking the address of every resident would be very difficult to implement in practice. The control mechanisms would probably be placed within the competence of the municipalities, and the question remains whether the costs would outweigh the benefits.”

About six years ago, the Ministry considered renewing the so-called temporary stay regulation, requiring people to report a change in permanent residence of more than 90 days. But other ministries objected to the proposal and it was withdrawn.

Some big cities are looking for ways to motivate people to announce a change of permanent residence – Brno, for example, rewards them with an annual transport pass. A similar system is being prepared in Olomouc. Others, such as Hradec Králové, argue incentives will not solve the problem and are advocating requiring changes in permanent residence to be reported.

Source

Author:
Brian Kenety

Beer, the oldest known recipe in history, is a global obsession, but trends in consumption and cost vary a lot from country to country.

To find out just how much costs vary, Expensivity.com conducted comprehensive research to reveal the cheapest and most expensive cities around the world to buy a beer in, both from the supermarket and at the bar.

But the Expensivity.com team didn’t stop there. They also calculated beer consumption habits around the world based on WHO data, revealing which cities drink and spend the most.

Data in hand, the team visualized their findings in a series of maps. Here’s a preview:

Key Findings:

● Qatar has the most expensive beer in the world, with an average price of US$11.26 per 33cl (330ml) bottle.

● The cheapest beer is in South Africa, where the average price is $1.68 per bottle.

● The Czech Republic has the highest consumption rate, with 468 beers per person per year.

● Germans spend an average $1,907.78 per year on beer, the top figure in the study.

See the rest here.

Authors: PRAGUE MONITOR EDITORS

“So, this is a first…”

I tell the screen in front of me and announce the premiere of a virtual interview for the blog. On the other side of the screen is a psychologist and headhunter, Marek Navrátil. Marek finished his Ph.D. in social psychology and throughout his entire career, whether as a psychotherapist, HR Director, or an executive search consultant, he has been listening to people’s stories. How did those stories change during the pandemic? What are people dealing with now? And what are Marek’s tips on how to stay sane during the pandemic? That’s what we got to talk about.

5 things to watch out for during the pandemic, according to Marek

„I feel, as my grandma would describe it, like a tiger in a cage,“ Marek comments on his home office situation. “Even though I go out, I exercise, I jog, et cetera, there is still this glass ceiling. The barrier that you don’t see and can’t overcome.” From stories Marek hears, this is what most people feel like. What should we watch out for, according to him?

• Place

“The place, the place, the place. It’s very important. People value their environment much more than they did before,” Marek thinks, “because now having a nice cozy home with fast internet, good equipment, and a lot of space is more important than ever.”

• Relationships

“We spend much more time with people who were close to us but now became even closer. So plenty of relationships started suffering from the overload of intimacy. I see during interviews that people don’t often have a quiet corner. A room where you can close the door and escape. So many people are learning new techniques on how to be together.”

• Motivation

“This is one thing that makes my job very difficult,” Marek sighs, “people aren’t very motivated to pursue new opportunities. Because what would drive you to change your job right now? Change your kitchen for your kitchen? The job might be different but the scenery is still the same. This is one of the most serious reasons why people suffer – because there is no motivation.”

• Fridge

“And of course, you sit at home and there is a fridge and there’s food in the fridge and some people reduce their stress by eating. Which is a mechanism they’ve used for years. There are many obese people and this is very challenging for them. I talked to several people who are afraid of meeting others because they are fat and they feel threatened.”

• Substance Abuse

“Doing yoga when you have your children jumping around is a problem. And from what I’ve heard, some people found a coping mechanism in drinking or smoking weed. It can make you think deeper about your situation and that can be quite a serious problem if you analyze it and you think there is no end to it.”

Read the rest of the article here.

BY: PRINCESS UNIPONY

More than 60 % of marketing graduates are women. And many dream that one day, they’ll run their own business. But what does it mean to transition from telling stories to becoming a Founder?

Four inspiring former marketers will discuss what their marketing background brought to the table when creating their own brand. But also what they lacked as a Founder or needed to unlearn. And how is all that different if you are building an agency vs a consumer brand.

The event starts with the Fireside chat with Violeta Luca – General Manager of Microsoft CZ/SK talking about Women in Leadership.

Agenda:
19:00 – 19:20 PM – Fireside chat with Violeta Luca (GM at Microsoft CZ&SK) about Women in Leadership
19:20 – 20:00 PM – Panel discussion moderated by Pavlína Louženská (#holkyzmarketingu).
20:00 – 20:30 PM – Pitch Night (Twigsee, Mirageset, Tangle)

Speakers:
Violeta Luca – Microsoft CZ&SK
Andrea Hurychová – WeDigital
Olga Royenko – Royenko Agency
Barbora Půlpánová – EDUART EXPERIENCE
Zuzanna Sleszynska – Lettly
Andrea Solomonides – Giraffes in the Kitchen

The event will be online streamed in English.

Link to the event: https://www.startupdisrupt.com/events/female-leaders-from-marketer-to-founder/

After almost unanimous assessment of the Western media and analysts (one would be inclined to conclude they are “gleichgeschaltet”, modeled on the methods of Nazi master of propaganda Goebbels ), a visit to Moscow of the EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell, was – depending on the author – a failure, a fiasco, a disgrace.

And it was, indeed. But not by the criteria applied by Western propaganda; it is difficult, when reading these “analyzes”, to avoid the conclusion that their authors are neither journalists nor political analysts, but just – propagandists, harnessed, consciously or unconsciously – this could be discussed – in the circle of politics that the West applies in dealing with Russia for years. It is the policy of “containment” which is only a weak, but no less dangerous copy of the policy that the West practiced towards the Soviet Union. Worthwhile to note: apparently none of these so well-informed “journalists” and “analysts” take into account that Putin is not Stalin and that today’s Russia is not the former Soviet Union.

The problems, if that’s even the right term, in relations between the West and Russia begun after at the helm of Russia Vladimir Putin replaced Boris Yeltsin Of course, Yeltsin, known for his alcoholic escapades, was to the liking of the West. Russia under his leadership was rapidly declining and not only was it no longer any, even potential, threat to the West, but it could not be its competitor in any area, even in its influence in Third World countries. At the same time, no one in the West resented Yeltsin for using even the most brutal force to stay in power. We are thinking of the order to “subdue” the Russian parliament, which resisted the unconstitutional dissolution, with tank shells . On the contrary, the Western media rejoiced at every hit of a tank grenade in the building where the seat of the Russian parliament was, and from which the parliamentarians allegedly offered armed resistance.

Infallibility of West

When asked by a foreign journalist why is he reporting about gunshots from the parliament building, when it is obvious that there were none, a Wastern correspondent offered the following answer: “So it was decided!” Those grenades didn’t bother anyone, neither then nor later. But, those shots which were not fired, were “invented”, because they were needed for having the wanted picture. A hint of the “objective” reporting we are witnessing in recent weeks and months, relating to Alexei Navalny and the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.

With the arrival of Putin on the scene, however, another Russia emerged; Russia, which had the ambition to be a relevant factor in international relations and which not only wanted, but expected to be treated as a great power, and with respect. Since then everything goes downhill. The West did not want to accept the fact that Russia refuses to be treated as defeated and submissive. So the accusations started, so the sanctions started, some after obviously staged occasions, some evidently without any basis.

And now Borrell is coming to Moscow with the proclaimed goal of re-establishing dialogue, but most likely too with the task of examining the extent to which the Russian vaccine against covid19 can help Europe, which has found itself in an awkward situation due to drastic reductions in deliveries or delays from manufacturers of the vaccine it has ordered. But even before going to Moscow Borrell announced his intention to visit in prison Navalny who was sentenced to 3.5 years for violating probation. Let us remember: Navalni, an activist and blogger was transferred, with the “blessing” of the Kremlin to hospital in Germany after he was taken ill on an internal flight in Russia. It was immediately “clear” to everyone that he was poisoned and that, of course, the government, and Putin himself, was behind the assassination attempt.

In Germany, poisoning was promptly confirmed, but only with the “assistance” of a military doctors, poisoning with Novičok, an extremely lethal means from the Soviet arsenal of chemical weapons. To make things more convincing, the findings from Berlin were also confirmed by laboratories in Paris and Stockholm. No one from those around Navalny had the slightest symptoms of poisoning (everybody apparently forgot the spectacle with protective measures and decontamination, staged by the British after the alleged poisoning of Skripal’s). Navalni quickly recovered and, although the Germans now claim that he could not leave to Russia because he was undergoing medical treatment, it is documented that he traveled around in Germany, with the assistance of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), and that he worked on a film which, as soon as he returned to Russia and was arrested, would “revealed” Putin’s glamorous “secret residence”.

Russia persistently asked to get the findings that confirm the poisoning, but – it did not get them. And with a laconic “explanation”, that the Russians anyhow know everything. The Russian findings made before Navalny left for Germany were simply ignored.

Navalny, like Khodorkovsky at a time, is clearly the West’s choice in the role of Putin’s opposition leader and his possible successor. The scenario is known from all the so-called colored revolutions in Eastern Europe. To what extent he is “the puppet on the string”, and to what extent he has his own agenda, is a matter for discussion. But it is undeniable that he has the full support, both financially and logistically, of Western services in everything he does (including the production of sensational discoveries that the Russians will immediately unmask as a montage, but that will remain largely or completely ignored by the Western media).

However, although the Russians have shown that “Putin’s secret residence” is not who Navalny claims, but the site of a super-luxury hotel still in construction, owned by a few oligarchs, although they show how in the animation of the entrance door the Russian emblem (eagle) was replaced by the Montenegrin, although there are recordings that show how “peaceful” demonstrators for Navalny physically attack Russian policemen, in the West every average citizen today “knows” that Moscow poisoned Navalny, that Putin has a secret residence, and that Russian police across the country is beating peaceful demonstrators who only want Putin’s removal (although they, young people in the first place, are invited to demonstrate by promising that it will be a “good party”).

Western democracy, vaccinated

The same type of “blindness” prevailed until a few days ago in relation to the Russian vaccine against covid19. Despite the fact that it is for weeks applied in Russia, that it is exported to a dozen countries, some of which take on the production (such as for example Serbia, or Iran), in the Western media Sputnik V, the world first registered vaccine against Corona simply did not exist. And even after the UN Secretary-General explicitly cited Sputnik V as a significant tool in the fight against the pandemic, this vaccine was nonexistent in the Western media. Until Europe was confronted with the fact that the favored AstraZeneca drastically reduced the promised delivery and until a prestigious British medical journal did not “discover” that the Russian vaccine was both effective and harmless. And now suddenly all those who have kept silent or ignored the vaccine, not because it is suspicious, but because and only because it came from Russia, and was – above all – the world’s first, seem to compete in writing and speaking about Sputnik V.

In such circumstances Joseph Borrell went to Moscow. And, of course, he disappointed all those Western propagandists who still live in the “Trump film”, who are still prisoners of the policy of “containing Russia”, because – instead of hammering with his fist on the table, instead of threatening and blackmailing – he mostly silently listened to the remarks of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including the one describing the European Union is an “unreliable partner.” But now analysts and journalists, both of whom does not deserve to be called as such, compete in attacking Borrell, saying that his performance was shameful and that he disgraced European Union, that his trip to Moscow was a “failure” and wishing in his place Mike Pompeo, Trump’s foreign minister (yes, so far we have fallen!).

And the Russians, to show how the time had passed when they silently received blows from the West, just at the time of Borrell’s visit to Moscow, announced the expulsion of three Western diplomats for “participating in illegal demonstrations by Alexei Navalny’s supporters.” The West does not accept this, ignoring the fact that the demonstrations did take place without the permission of the authorities and that the job of diplomats is not to be “in demonstrations”, but to report on them. But very significantly, the German chancellor did not fail, in condemning the Russian step, to add that stopping the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is out of the question.

And that is exactly the core of today’s problems in the relations between the West and Moscow. If the West start using common sense in achieving its interests in relations with Russia, if it stops playing on this or that potential successor of Putin (which would be more acceptable to the West, which means more compliant, not to say more obedient), if it stops treating the dissolution of the Soviet Union as a unique victory of one, its, system over another (liberal capitalism over the idea of socialism, because socialism as a system presented itself in many different forms, of which the Yugoslav was the most liberal), it will create conditions for a new, open dialogue. A dialogue in which neither Moscow will have to listen to the “lectures” from Brussels, nor the EU will be forced to “swallow” unpleasant Russian responses.

But it must be a dialogue of equal, because the crucial Russian ambition is to be accepted as an equal partner and not treated as defeated and subordinate. As long as the politicians and the so-called journalists in their service do not understand this, failures and shames will continue. But whose? Not Europe’s, not Russia’s. Any further failure in the effort to put Russian-European relations on a new, different and healthy foundation will be a failure and a shame for common sense, but also for the interests of the citizens of both Russia and the countries of the European Union. We are consciously not mentioning America in this context, because Europe should be able to act in its own name and in defense of its interests. But, judging by the reactions to Borrell’s visit to Moscow, we are still very, very far from that.

About the author:

Tomislav Jakić, one of the most influential journalist and publicist from East-southeast Europe, writing on politics and international affairs for over 6 decades. He was a Foreign Policy adviser to the Croatia’s President Mesic (2000-2010)

The city of Prague will be implementing new regulations on public advertising in its ongoing efforts to crack down on the buzz-killing post-capitalism aesthetics that threaten the city’s historical vibes.

Expected to arrive in October, these regulations will extend from Nové Dvory in the south to Troja in the north, and Malešice in the east to Motol in the west. Advertising restrictions already exist in the historic centres like Staré Město, Josefov, Malou Stranu, Nové Město, Vyšehrad, and Hradčany.

While probably most rejoice, some people in the advertising industry aren’t too thrilled.

Roman Novák, CEO of Czech advertising firm Superposter, told Pražská Drbna in an interview that the new regulations would probably destroy his company, and also called them “discriminatory,” noting that giant billboards on the roads which often advertise political campaigns still get to exist through the regulations.

“The city’s decision here is totally illogical and I would even say they are discriminatory. The city will defacto liquidate our segment of the industry and then leave other forms of advertising making tonnes of money, like billboards and big boards.”

Novák said that the regulations will also hurt small entities like schools and apartment owners.

“We have been operating in most of our areas for many years, and the advertisements help owners pay for repairs and maintenance on their house. For schools, these incomes are a significant financial benefit that help them purchase equipment or other supplies that they would not normally have.”

The city of Prague has been on a years-long campaign to cleanse the city of “visual smog.” In 2019, bubble makers, giant Disney mascots, and other types of entertainers were banned from the city centres.

Author: ALEX RICHARDSON

Source

“2020 has been a disastrous year for human rights in Europe,” commented Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at a speech in front of the Council of Europe at the end of last year.

In an unprecedented fashion, the COVID-19 pandemic (C-19) has brought to fore a tremendous increase in human rights violations in 2020 throughout the world. According to Reporters Without Borders’ tracker 19 mapping human rights cases of abuse worldwide, Europe is no exception to the rule. While it contains one of the most advanced human rights protection systems globally, the old continent has seen itself prey to governmental and media attempts to erode democracy and human rights.

Infringement to human rights peaked last March in Hungary when President Viktor Orbán used the pandemic to seize unlimited power through an emergency law granting him absolute power to suspend rules, bypass the Parliament and adopt decrees, without any judicial oversight. This law also offered the Hungarian Prime Minister the ability to jail journalists and activists criticizing his policies under the pretext of spreading disinformation.

While Hungary arguably remains a specific case within Europe for its long-standing record of human rights violations, the region indicates some worrying trends in its ability to protect the rights encompassed in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Degradation of human rights protection in the COVID-19 era

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic by member states of the Council of Europe has not remained undisputed as far as the protection of fundamental freedoms is concerned. Many European states declared a state of emergency. They introduced a wide range of legal measures that derogate from their internal constitutional laws and the European Convention on Human Rights.

While these measures have undeniably affected society’s normal functioning and people’s way of life, the Convention itself does not preclude derogations from the obligations outlined in emergency times. Article 15 indicates that derogations from obligations under the Convention are allowed “in time of war and other public emergencies threatening the life of the nation.” Nevertheless, this clause remains valid “to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law.” Until today, the application of Article 15 had remained confined to situations of political violence and terrorism.

As Europe faced the second wave of the virus, many member States reintroduced states of emergency. These typically allow temporary limitations to individual rights, such as freedom of movement under Article 45 of the Convention, freedom of assembly and association under Article 12, as well as private life under Article 7.

Nevertheless, in its “COVID-19: Toolkit for member States” published last April, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, posed limits to the ability of states to derogate from the Convention’s obligations. Any derogation must have “a clear basis in domestic law” to prevent arbitrariness and cannot justify any action that goes against the “essential requirements of lawfulness and proportionality” set out in the Convention. The common understanding is that the pandemic’s exceptional circumstances can uphold some rights, yet governments shall deploy substantial efforts to preserve them.

However, such efforts towards human rights protection from national authorities have failed to materialize across Europe.

A worrying trend took shape in the increasing deficit of transparency from governmental authorities, including mandatory detentions and technological surveillance, as observed in Ireland. To add, civil society organizations in several member states expressed concerns over police misconduct during protests. Alarming instances of racism have also been observable, as exemplified by the violent beating of a black man in front of his house by two French police officers in Paris.

COVID-19 exposes the structural vulnerabilities of Europe’s social democracies

The coronavirus-related health challenges have provided certain actors and authorities with a pretext to infringe on human rights and fundamental freedoms. Such a context dominated by the discourse on an “emergency” situation with an exceptional character requires increased attentiveness to human rights violations.

Vulnerable populations, such as migrants, refugees, racial minorities, the homeless, elders, women, disabled people, and children, have found themselves on the frontline of these violations. Arguably, the COVID-19 pandemic did not create, yet only laid bare structural challenges, and fragilities of Europe’s democracies, highlighted by the glaring social inequalities deepened across the continent.

For instance, women have been significantly impacted by governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which further exacerbated gender violence and inequality. According to a study requested by the European Parliament, across Europe, calls to domestic violence outlines have increased by 20 – 60%.

Furthermore, the coronavirus response also disproportionately impacted disadvantaged children across member states by infringing on the fundamental right to education. A report by Save the Children shows that in Romania, 23% of vulnerable families could not purchase medicines for their children. In Spain, emergency food measures could only reach half of the children normally provided with school meals during the crisis.

Older people have also been particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus lockdown measures because of their social settings which isolated them further from their families and communities. Shortages in the healthcare sector and isolation of elders have increased the risk of abuse, with data from the UK suggesting a 37% rise in the country.

Several asylum-seekers have also been unlawfully rejected at EU borders and sent back to their home countries, violating the 1951 Refugee Convention. To add, the inadequacy of living conditions and overcrowding in detention centers raised alarming concerns. Asylum seekers in Italy launched a hunger strike to protest against the spread of the virus in the center, inadequately equipped to respond to the health crisis. In Belgium, some centers released detainees without any assistance.

Suppose the issues listed above receive the attention they deserve. In that case, the COVID-19 pandemic could provide an opportunity to formulate a wake-up call for increased social inclusion across European countries, with solidarity at the heart of its response. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s words, this is today more compelling than ever to bear in mind that “the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

Empowering the citizen base and improving social “bonding” for human rights protection

As highlighted in the November Bulletin by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, local authorities and grassroots organizations have played a prominent role in supporting society’s most vulnerable groups.

Local and regional authorities appeared to have taken up an unprecedented responsibility in providing access to services and information directed towards certain societal groups on a daily basis. The Bulletin also noted that member states with greater decentralization of responsibilities had proven better-equipped authorities to tackle the pandemic’s health challenges.

The voluntary sector also took a primary seat in proactively advocating for the rights and interests of the diverse marginalized groups within society and increased its role as an essential social service provider. Altogether, these structures have proven uniquely capable of strengthening the citizen base at its core and instilling a sense of solidarity within communities.

Robert Putnam, in his sociological study ‘Bowling alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,’ suggests that increased social capital and trust within society generates adequate civil engagement, necessary for the healthy functioning of democracies.

Further, according to Putnam, increased trust and civic engagement in society go hand-in-hand with the efficient protection of freedom and human rights. “Far from being incompatible, liberty and fraternity are mutually supportive,” notes Putnam, in his study demonstrating the strong positive correlation between equality and bonding social capital.

In contrast, the beginning of 2021 witnessed widespread anti-lockdown protests, primarily dominated by extreme rights across the continent. Trust in government institutions across Europe has reached its lowest. In such a societal context captured by distrust, a weakened citizen base could prevent the European societies’ ability to deliver sustainable solutions supported and trusted by the population.

Arguably, the media, when providing factual and objective information on all matters of public interest, plays an essential role in consolidating social “bonding.” In contrast, when resorting to “sensationalism, improper language, or reporting in ways that may raise the alarm unnecessarily or provide a platform for divisive views to spread,” as Dunja Mijatović warns, the media could instead decrease trust among society, endangering the health of healthy democratic societies.

More salient than ever is the mobilization of all citizens around a collective response to the virus. In democracies, social trust or “bonding capital” plays a central role in empowering the citizen base. And this trust cannot be achieved without an irrevocable and unconditional commitment to human rights.

The COVID-19 crisis taught us that only governance in compliance with the rule of law and human rights is capable of adequately managing the challenges associated with this unprecedented crisis. More clearly than ever before, preserving human rights proves an essential pillar to managing the health crisis and must be actively incorporated within public policies.

Paying heed to the many challenges to individual rights posed by the health crisis must be part of a genuine effort to restore trust in today’s European societies.

About the author:

Chloé Bernadaux is an International Security specialist (Sciences Po Paris), prolifically writing on the neighborhood policy, Euro-MED relations, and disarmament affairs. She is the IFIMES newly appointed representative in Paris (UNESCO).

After experiencing the worst state deficit in history, current data suggests that the Czech Republic will need 5 years to recover its losses, Petr Holub reports for Seznam.

According to the Český statistický úřad (Czech Statistical Office), the last quarter of 2020 saw a contraction of 5% year on year, mainly because of the second lockdown introduced in October.

The ČSÚ notes that the most negatively impacted sectors were trade, transport, restaurants and hotels, all experiencing big losses.

“The year-on-year decline was mostly due to the steep decline in household consumption expenditure,” they said.

According to Eurostat, what saved the Czech Republic from entering a complete economic apocalypse was the foreign demand for local products, keeping the country’s losses at roughly the European average despite having exponentially higher COVID-19 cases. Austria, Italy, and Spain all did worse because of a higher dependence on tourism and not as many exports.

“The wave in autumn caused less damage to the economy than the spring wave,” ČSOB analyst Petr Dufek implies.

Petr Holub suggests that the most likely scenario for the country is an “L” shaped, or a long and slow creep upwards after the massive sudden drop. This would be similar to the 2009 crisis, when the Czech Republic took five years to reach pre-crisis levels.

BY: ALEX RICHARDSON

Source

A new campaign by the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences celebrates women in science, but it also points out to the fact that Czech female scientists are not equally represented. The official hashtag of the campaign, launched on social media on Wednesday, is #WomenInScience.

The campaign called Female Scientists’ Successes in 2020 is coordinated by the Sociological Institute’s National Centre for Gender &Science. It will run from Wednesday until February 11, which marks the International Day of Girls and Women in Science.

Under the hashtag ZenyVeVede or WomenInScience, the institute will share successful stories of dozens of Czech as well as foreign female researchers on Facebook and other social media.

The first female scientist presented in the campaign is Lucie Augustovičová, who developed a ground-breaking method of freezing molecules very close to absolute zero. According to the scientific community, her discovery could push the boundaries of physics.

Another Czech female researcher promoted on the occasion of the upcoming International Day of Girls and Women in Science is Hana Sedláčková, a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen.

Together with her colleagues she discovered how certain types of proteins ensure that DNA replication proceeds at the right pace, explains the campaign’s coordinator Kristýna Veitová:

“The results of her research were published in the prestigious magazine Nature. She helped to unveil the function of the so-called MCM proteins in protecting cells again DNA instability. The discovery could help unveil the biological causes of certain types of cancer.”

The main goal of the campaign is not only to highlight the excellent results of Czech female scientists over the past year and motivate women to take part in scientific research.

Read the rest here.

Authors: Ruth Fraňková, Štěpán Sedláček

As part of the Geneva Lecture Series concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Heinz Ficher (2004-16) and current Co-chair of the Vienna-based Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens centered his two-hour long mesmerizing talk on Europe and its future prospects. University scholars and diplomats based in Geneva and beyond enjoyed the first hand insights in the very history of Europe and its integrations since the end of the WWII.

Excellency Fischer elaborated on the important historic moments that forged today’s relations between member states of the EU and pointed out the weaknesses and challenges that the European continent will have to face in order to not reach a dead end in terms of the so-valued integration process.

Dr. Fischer introduced the topic by asking whether we have learned from our previous mistakes. According to him, we did learn from history. However, he believes that “after one or two generations, lessons of history start to fade away and get lost again [and that] we must keep that in mind to avoid dead end”.

Going back to World War II (WW2), the well-known European diplomat reminded us how Germany’s defeat changed the global balance of power, especially with the US and the USSR emerging as the two superpowers. The year 1945 has also been a crucial in the history of Austria, which reborn and reconstructed as an independent state in April 1945.

The end of WW2 left Europe with many questions; how to restore Germany? How to rebuild Europe? How to establish and protect peace and avoid mistakes that have been done after WW1? After the traumatizing events that happened during the war, peace “had a very high value and was a great priority almost worldwide”. Heinz Fischer remarks that “economic and politic cooperation between France, Germany, Italy and other European countries was the best way to retain and reduce nationalistic egoism and link the economist in a way that war cannot be an option to solve problems anymore as it happened so many times before”. However, we should not forget that, at the same time, the tension between Stalin and the western world on the other side was growing.

The Ban Ki-moon Center Co-chair continued by talking about the Cold War and describing the first steps towards the European Union that we know today.

“The US officials urged (western) Germany to take full responsibility for the development in their country and for good cooperation with other democracies. The next importation step was the announcement of the so-called Marshall plan for Europe. [It] was originally designed for the whole Europe but got rejected by countries under soviet dominance. Austria government was in a difficult situation because the eastern part of the country was, in that time, in the soviet occupation zone and, nevertheless, Austria joined the Marshall plan under heavy critics from its Communist party and Soviet officials.

[The] first peak of Cold War was the blockade of Berlin in 1948 and the foundation of NATO in 1949, which consequently made European integration faster and stronger.”

Nonetheless, Europe was still divided between the East and the West. It was only when Stalin died in 1953, that the beginning of a new era with a more collective leadership started. Fischer believes that his death was an important element for successful negotiations about the Austrian state treaty in April because the new leaders in Moscow wanted to demonstrate that they were ready for substantial negotiations and for compromises.

Adding to that, two years later, the Treaty of Rome was signed in March 1957, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) between Western Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This accelerated further political integration.

By early 1960s, about 30% of the Old continent was gathered in the EEC – like-minded democracies, neighboring states of a growing politico-economic influence with good preconditions to strengthen and deepen such cooperation. The EEC was successful and attractive. Naturally, the decision-making of the Six was far easier than in today’s Union.

The step from the EEC to the EU was the basis for a better coordinated foreign policy, a precondition for the introduction of the euro currency and it strengthened the role of the European parliament. It was very attractive to join the EU as the union formulated strict conditions and admissions procedures for membership in the club.

In 1989, after the fall of the Berlin wall, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Norway, four democratic countries with good economic performance, applied for the EU. On January 1995, all of them, excepted Norway, became member of the EU. Then, in 2004, the number of member states jumped from 15 to 25 and soon after 27, etc. These years were the best moments in the European integration process but it was also a turning point, the number of diverging interests was enlarging and it was growing parallel to the number of members. As EU became more and more the voice of Europe, it also brought more and more difficulties in terms of decision making.

Eastern countries were united in their anti-Communist and anti-Russian feelings however in other fields of politics they were more and more not united with each other and the rest of Europe. But the question remained: what was the reason for that development?

Dr. Fischer observed that the national identity of new democracies from the 90s, those that were under soviet dominance, had been brutally suppressed during soviet supremacy and their so-called internationalism was not a genuine development, it had been enforced and, soon after the collapse of European communism and the dissolution of Russia pact, these countries showed that they were fed up with internationalism even European internationalism and nationalism saw a powerful renaissance. With this background, populistic nationalism in some countries, but not all the eastern European countries, became step by step stronger than European thinking and European solidarity.

While growing nationalism is one big obstacle, for the European cooperation and integration, the necessity of consensus in the constitution of the European union in many fields of European policy is another big problem. Consensus is, indeed, recommendable and necessary for very far-reaching decisions with long time consequences. However, too many necessities for consensus are poison for a coherent European policy, the more consensus is necessary, the bigger is the role of national interests and the bigger the role of national interests is the more we have a union with injured wings and the more it is difficult to compete with the other big powers in the world.

Since decades we can observe new developments dimensions and challenges of ecological environmental policy, the figures of climate change and global warming speak a very clear language on global level but also in Europe we have a lot to do in these fields. The Paris climate agreement set the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees but the question remains whether we will reach this goal and whether this will be enough to prevent further catastrophes such as biodiversity losses, glacier melting, intensified western conditions, etc. The EU is more and more trying to promote climate-friendly policies. It is indeed trying to reach progress and to mobilize the member countries on this field, they know that this must be a priority. Former President Fischer added that, in the last couple of years, China took more and more the lead in green and renewable energy whereas Trump administration withdraw from Paris agreement. However, the fact that Biden promised to re-enter Paris accord and put effort into fighting climate changes leads to careful optimism.

On the other hand, Excellency Fischer pointed out that the issue of forced migrations should not be forgotten. He added that this represent a huge global problem which the EU cannot solve alone and, even though nobody is expecting them to, they should be ready to contribute to a solution and to do their part. The number of refugees at the border of Europe between 2014 and 2015 increased rapidly to 1,3 million asylum seekers and this caused a lot of problems, troubles, hostilities and a wave of population and nationalism.

Observing the policies in some European countries and Austria is not an exception, the problem is not so much, some governments can solve the issue but the problem is whether they want to solve it.

In the meantime, the second wave has counted higher numbers than ever, we had time to place some coordination at EU level to fight jointly the virus. The Commission has made useful proposals in some areas such as cross-border commuting transport of goods, external borders purchase and distribution of vaccines. Also it tackled the international cooperation of comparable statistics and the strategic introduction of the next generation of EU recovery instrument amounting to 750 million euros which is linked to the next financial framework and the EU budget for the years 2021-2027. All being promising signs of a rapid reaction capacitation.

“The EU is facing challenging times. Cross-European cooperation has no alternative – it is today as fundamental as ever” – was the closing point of Heinz Fischer’s farsighted and comprehensive Geneva talk.

About the Author:

Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and International Development Department), specialised in public and private International law, international development and global politics.

The first address of the European Commission since the pandemic was one highly anticipated by all the citizens of the EU block. On September 16, President Ursula van der Leyden took it upon herself to reveal the EU’s roadmap for a post-Covid world following the approval of the recovery funds last July which constituted a breakthrough and sent a welcome signal in terms of cohesion and solidarity on the part of the 27 members.

Aside from paying tribute to our frontline workforce and praise the courage and human spirit showed by all in the face of virus spread, van der Leyen set out what she called NexGenerationEU; a movement to breathe new life into the EU but also and most importantly to adapt and lead the way into shaping tomorrow’s world. Through her speech, the president highlighted roughly 8 key themes which will be at the centre of this new European era’s agenda for the next 12 months, in accordance with the cardinal principles of trust, tolerance and agility. In other words, the 750 billion recovery funds raised extra-ordinarily will be directed towards the following areas:

1° Economy: the Union members must all breed economies that offer protection, stability and opportunities in the face of the continuous health crisis with a specific wish expressed for a stronger Health union – and thereby an extension of the Union’s competencies on the matter – but also the advent of European minimum wages.

2° Green Revolution: the Union will adopt more radical attitudes towards mitigating climate-change and safeguarding our planet, starting with the ambitious aim of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through the EU’s Green Deal. So called ‘lighthouse’ high-impact and hydrogen-based projects will become an additional focus.

3° Technology: Europe has to step up its game and become a digital leader through securing industrial data and using it to support innovation. Delineating the use of AI by regulating the field, creating a secure EU e-identity and ensuring connectivity deployment so as to fully cover rural areas are also high on the list.

4° Vaccine management: The Union praises the open approach followed up until now in facing the virus whilst many others have opted for withdrawal and undercutting of cooperation. Having served as an example regarding vaccines research and funding, the EU must uphold its policy all the way to the finish line and ensure its accessibility for every citizen around the world.

5° Multilateralism: the current international order system needs some rethinking and international institutions need reform in order to de-paralyze crucial decision-making in urgent situations. This starts with the EU taking faster univocal positions on global issues (Honk-Kong, Moscow, Minsk, and Ankara) and systematically and unconditionally calling out any HR abuses whilst building on existing partnerships with EU’s like-minded allies.

6° Trade: Europe will be made out as a figure of fair-trade by pushing for broker agreements on protected areas and putting digital and environmental ethics at the forefront of its negotiations. Global trade will develop in a manner that is just, sustainable, and digitized.

7° Migration: A New Pact on Migration will be put forward imminently as to act on and move forward on this critical issue that has dragged for long enough; in that regard every member state is expecting to share responsibility and involvement including making the necessary compromises to implement adequate and dignifying management. Europe is taking a stand: legal and moral duties arising from Migrants’ precarious situations are not optional.

8° Against hate-inspired behaviours and discriminations: A zero-tolerance policy is reaffirmed by the Union by extending its crime list to all forms of hate crime or speech based on any of the sensitive criteria and dedicating budget to address de facto discriminations in sensitive areas of society. It is high time to reach equal, universal and mutual recognition of family relations within the EU zone.

Granted, the European ‘priorities forecast’ feels on point and leaves us nearly sighing in relief for it had been somewhat longed for. The themes are spot on, catch words are present and the phrasing of each section is nothing short of motivational with the most likely intended effect that the troops will be boosted and spirits lifted subsequently. When looking closer to the tools enunciated for every topical objective, there seems however to be nearly only abstract and remote strategies to get there.

This is because a great number of the decisive steps that the Union wishes to see be taken depend on the participation of various instruments and actors. Not only does it rely for most on the converging interests, capabilities and willingness of nation States (inside and outside the euro zone), but it is also contingent on the many complex layers and bodies of the Union itself. And when a tremendous amount of the proposed initiatives for European reconstruction is reliant on such a far-reaching chain of events, it simply calls into question the likelihood for the said measures and objectives to be attained – or at the very least in which timeframe.

One might then rightfully wonder whether good and strong willpower coupled with comprehensive projections can be enough.

Whilst van der Leyen’s announcement was promising and efficient in that it sent an important message – the EU is wanting to get in the driver’s seat – only the follow-up with radical motions such as the creation of a readily available tool to implement fast and impactful changes can lend support to a claim that Europe is in a position to resolve current internal and external EU challenges, and more generally to bounce back from conceded decline suffered in the most recent decades.

As a matter of fact, Diplomat Ali Goutali and Professor Anis Bajrektarevic were the firsts to make an analysis in that sense as they articulated their proposal for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) earlier this year. Faced with similar challenges and need for sharper thinking and tools in order to be at the forefront of the economic and technologic challenges ahead, the OIC had relied heavily on its Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and agenda reform to reinforce its cooperation and innovation capabilities as a global player.

Nevertheless, Goutali and Bajrektarevic already felt months ago that additional steps ought to be taken for the OIC to be able to respond swiftly and reaffirm further its mandate of facilitating common political actions. To that end, it was suggested that a mechanism for policy coordination in critical times – the Rapid Reaction Capacitation – in charge of, primarily, vaccines management and AI applications should be introduced. Furthermore, the stakes behind the urgent need of strengthening our international order through cohesive endeavours are evidently the same for both the EU and the Arab World. That is to permanently leave behind a pseudo-competitive nation-based attitude that is nothing but a relic from the past and has achieved little in the context of the Covid outbreak.

Hence, if such an independent body was to be established, all three authors agree that it could gather the indispensable political power and resources to carry out the desired reforms on multilateralism, cyber and digital infrastructures, Covid recovery measures or geopolitical partnerships. Necessarily streamlined in order to avoid undue blockades, these new regional bodies could be composed of energetic forward thinkers across the private and public sectors empowered to map out and act on adequate strategies for a post-Covid world. This is because we all share the same goal: achieving solidarity not only on paper or as a conceptual motto but in real life and in real time. And after all, didn’t von der Leyen herself concur with that line of thinking as she enjoined Member states to move towards qualified majority voting to avert slow and cumbersome decision-making processes?

It seems pretty clear to me that such discussions in relation to the aggressiveness in actions and potential bureaucratic barriers might raise an old-as-the-world yet still very important questions: Should we, Europe, be ready to risk losing some of the legitimacy or democratic aspects of our political bodies in order to gain in speed and efficiency in times of crisis? And if not, considering the embracement of some of our supra-national entity’s actions is already on shaky grounds, how can we ensure that such bold measures may still be reconciled with maximal legitimacy given our equally urging need for unity?

About the author :

Nora Wolf, of the Kingston and of University of Geneva is an International Politics & Economics specialist. Her expertise includes Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law in an inter-disciplinary fashion for the EU and the UN-related think-tanks and FORAs. Currently is attached with the IFIMES Permanent Mission to the UN Geneva as the second alternate.

Ripping off insurance companies appears to be another one of the many ways that people made ends meet in the Czech Republic during 2020.

According to Česká podnikatelská pojišťovna (ČPP), 570 suspicious cases in 2020 were investigated equalling out to CZK 59 million, which is twice what they recorded the year before. It meant that every fifth claim that happened was suspected of fraud.

Dita Němečková from the Safety Department of ČPP’s safety department said that the bulk of these cases were liability and accident insurance fraud.

“Three-quarters of the cases we investigated were liability and accident insurance fraud. They’re usually fictional traffic accidents. We also get cases where the damage actually happened, but the person who’s injured tries to get compensation for an injury that happened way before, completely unrelated to the accident.”

ČPP’s findings are confirmed by Kooperativa pojišťovna, who also found twice the normal amount of insurance fraud. According to Zdeněk Macháček from the insurance company’s security department, more than CZK 124 million in fraud, up from CZK 56 million the year before. He also noticed an interesting trend.

“As in the past, motorcyclists cheated insurance companies the most when faking traffic accidents or exaggerating damages. However, it’s interesting to note that suspicious claims of cars being stolen as virtually stopped completely.”

Source

Author: Alex Richardson

The hotel market in Prague has been the hardest hit in Europe since the coronavirus pandemic hit the continent, with a fall-off of 84.6 percent in revenues per room, according to a report published by consultants Cushman & Wakefield on Wednesday.

In concrete terms, room occupancy fell by 78.5 percent to just 16.6 percent. On top of that the average room price fell by 28.1 percent to CZK 1,716 a night.

However, the study found, the interest of investors and hotel operators has not taken such a nosedive, with many in the sector expecting a revival of the market once restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 are lifted.

That said, industry insiders say they do not expect to see a full recovery before 2024.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Bořivoj Vokřínek said that during the first wave of the pandemic the Czech government had been one of the first to introduce strict measures, including the forced closure of hotels.

During the second wave after the summer the country saw one of the most rampant rates of Covid infections, leading to a radical halt to international tourism and the closing of hotels once again, Mr. Vokřínek said.

He said that unlike some other states the Czech Republic has not used hotels as accommodation for health workers or as field hospitals.

Mr. Vokřínek said that the Prague hotels market could bounce back quickly once the virus has been brought under control.

Most visitors tend to be from Europe, with European guests accounting for 73 percent of the overnight stays in Prague hotels during 2019, he said, explaining his optimism.

David Nath of Cushman & Wakefield said that Prague was a long-term favourite destination of investors. He said major industry players were still interested in buying, renting or operating hotels in the city.

Indeed, demand clearly exceeds supply, which is keeping hotel prices at their pre-pandemic level, Mr. Nath said.

An increase of only 1,750 rooms is expected in the coming three years as only a relatively small number of new hotels will be built.

In addition, there has been talk of reducing the number of short-term rentals in Prague and a cut in the VAT rate on accommodation. All of these factors mean owners feel hotels possess the same value they did two years ago, Mr. Nath said.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Source

The stores occupying more than 400 square meters will be required to sell the obligatory minimum of Czech-produced products, states the new proposal to the Food Act that was approved today by the Chamber of Deputies.

Eight countries from the European Union have already criticized the proposal because it is discriminatory against foreign-made products.

The proposal will apply to the products which can be produced in the Czech Republic. The rule won’t apply to stores smaller than the required 400 square meters, as well as the outlets. Next year, the obligatory quota will be 55 percent with plans to grow to 73 percent in seven years.

The Minister of Agriculture Miroslav Toman doesn’t see anything problematic with the proposal being nationalistic. He added that the proposal won’t affect the consumer prices of products.

The chairman of the Association of Private Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Jaroslav Šebek, suggested that it is a populist decision.

Due to the coronavirus, supporters of the proposal believe that the Czech Republic should focus more on domestic production that will be cheaper than the foreign one. The amendment will include such products as oils, milk, honey, butter, garlic, pork, and others.

This quota will also affect the dual quality food, which became a controversial topic several years ago. The dual quality food may have the same familiar label but contain different ingredients.

Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain consider this proposal unacceptable for the European Union members. They believe that this will affect the prices and incite discrimination. Previously, the European Commission reminded that the launch of these quotas might be illegal.

BY: IRINA NIKOLAEVA

A new study ranks more than 800 European cities according to how toxic their air is.

Jan 20 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — Tens of thousands of European city dwellers die prematurely each year due to air pollution, researchers said on Wednesday in a study ranking more than 800 cities according to the risk of early death from two leading pollutants.

The study, published in “The Lancet Planetary Health”, analysed the risk in each place from exposure to nitrogen dioxide — a poisonous gas contained in car exhaust — and to fine particulate matter, which can include smoke, dust, and ash.

Read the rest here.

By Sonia Elks

When was the last time you sweetened your tea of coffee with a cube of sugar? Today we take the small compact units of sugar, the exact size of a teaspoon, for granted, but it was not until 1843 that the sugar cube first saw the light of day on the territory of the present-day Czech Republic. Its inventor was the head of a sugar refinery in the town of Dačice, but the inspiration for the sugar cube actually came from his wife Juliana.

In the 1820s, after the end of the Napoleonic wars, attempts were made to revive sugar production from sugar-beet in the Habsburg Monarchy. The brothers Tomas and Frantisek Grebner established the first ever sugar factory in the western part of the Monarchy near Dačice in 1829. However, the soil in the surrounding area was not very suitable for growing sugar-beet and production stopped in 1832 due to a short supply of quality raw material.

However, the business failure did not deter the brothers and soon after they set up a sugar refinery in the very centre of Dačice which processed sugar cane transported from the Italian province of Trieste.

The refinery, the first of its kind in Moravia, brought the town a revival of economic activity, bringing in skilled professionals and creating new jobs. However, in 1839 the enterprise again ran into financial trouble, and in the spring of 1840 Grebner sent for a new director from Vienna.

Read the rest of the article here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the Czech Republic experienced the highest inflation rate seen in the last eight years.

The raised prices on groceries and housing bills are some of the factors which influenced this year’s index. Consumer prices increased on average by 3.2 percent last year, which is the highest increase since 2012. The current inflation rate is even higher than the last year’s one – 2.8 percent.

“This was the highest average annual inflation rate since 2012. Prices of goods in total and prices of services rose by 3.2 percent last year,” Pavla Šedivá, the Head of the CZSO Consumer Price Statistics Department, stated.

December’s usual increase in prices slowed down for the fifth time in a row because of November’s rise by 2.7 percent. Prices on vegetables and pork fell by nearly seven percent, and the price for eggs fell by more than five percent. Price growth for clothing and electricity slowed down by more than 2 percent. On the contrary, tobacco products increased in price by 16.4 percent and beverages – by 5.4 percent.

Several experts, such as UniCredit Bank analyst Patrik Rožumberský, predict that inflation can fall below two percent at the beginning of this year due to food and energy prices. The forecast for the whole year is uncertain, and the rise of inflation might be supported by various wage factors.

“Government tax changes and possible higher optimism of businesses in the event of the pandemic may support demand and inflation,” Rožumberský warned.

ČSOB analyst Petr Dufek predicted the same fall in inflation at the beginning of the year.

“The reason is weaker consumer demand, but also their growing focus on e-shops. Over time, competition in retail trade intensifies again and keeps prices in check. The strengthening Czech crown, which is also tightening monetary conditions in the Czech Republic, should also help lower inflation,” Dufek explained.

Source: https://praguemonitor.com/business/13/01/2021/czechs-experience-the-highest-inflation-rate-in-eight-years/

Author: IRINA NIKOLAEVA

By Guido Lanfranchi

As part of the Geneva Lecture Series concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, United Nations University Rector and Undersecretary General of the UN, Dr. David M. Malone gave a highly mesmerizing and content intensive lecture for the faculty members and Geneva-based diplomats.* Excellency Malone outlined his view on international development, focusing on how the theory and (especially) the practice of such concept has evolved over the past decades. While international development has done much to improve the socio-economic situation in developing countries, much remains to be done, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic – Dr. Malone said.

Talks about international development permeate current debates in academic and policy circles around the world. Yet, decades after its endorsement as one of the international community’s top priorities, the term continues to elude clear and univocal definitions, and it remains a contested concept. Dr. David M. Malone – an expert in international development, currently serving as UNU’s Rector in Tokyo, Japan – talked about his own take on the historical evolution of international development in an exchange with the students of Swiss UMEF University.

In a brief but comprehensive account, Dr. Malone noted that the concept of international development has emerged only fairly recently as a major issue on the world stage. The League of Nations, for instance, was not concerned with development, and even the United Nations did not initially devote much attention to this concept. Similarly, development was not on the agenda of the economic institutions established at the 1944 Bretton Woods conference – notably the International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose aim was to ensure monetary stability, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, the World Bank’s predecessor), whose focus was on the post-war reconstruction effort.

How did it happen, then, that these institutions gradually took the lead in promoting and sustaining development worldwide? The key factor underpinning this shift – according to Dr. Malone – is the process of decolonization, which started in the late 1940s with the independence of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Having freed themselves from the exploitative rule of colonial powers, these countries first sought to launch their first development programs, which often had a focus on agricultural development and famine prevention. At the time, international support to such efforts was very limited, consisting only of some experimental activities on specific technical issues, but with extremely tight budgets.

Yet, things started to change as a “huge decolonization wave” took off in the late 1950s, creating almost 80 new countries in the span of little more than 15 years. As these countries entered the UN en masse, they soon gained a majority in the organization. Questioning the UN’s single-handed focus on political and security issues, these countries – which were then labeled as “developing countries” – started to advocate for their own interest: the promotion of development throughout the developing world, with support from the international community.

These calls were rather successful. Entities such as the IBRD/World Bank, on a good track to completing their post-war reconstruction mission, soon started to shift their attention towards the developing world, ramping up the scale of their previously meager technical endeavors. Even more importantly, international support for developmental efforts started to materialize, both through bilateral agreements between countries and in the form of borrowed funds.

While the calls for international support were successful in raising the attention and the funds devoted to the topic of development, the early developmental endeavors were not always as successful. In a number of instances, the lack of adequate infrastructure prevented these endeavors from yielding the expected results, leading leaders to re-think their focus on what Dr. Malone termed “wildcat industrialization”. In addition, in their effort to finance development (and, at times, to amass personal wealth in the pockets of national elites), developing countries piled up an increasingly serious amount of debt, resulting in the debt crisis of the early 1980s.

The reaction of the industrialized world was mixed. Initially, shock and surprise prevailed, coupled with calls for developing countries to repay their debt at any cost. International institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF asked indebted countries to tighten their belt to free up funds for debt repayment. Lacking alternatives, many countries did so; yet, this came at a serious price over the medium to long term. Over time, however, a more realistic outlook on the issue emerged. Creditors organized in two groups – the “Paris Club” for official donors, and the “London Club” for private creditors – and discussed their response. Eventually, the strategy was two-fold: part of the debt was rescheduled, while another part was outright canceled.

Over the following decades, this major debt-management operation did yield important results – Dr. Malone stressed. By 1995, developing countries were fully out of the debt crisis, and government officials in industrialized countries were less worried about the overall situation. Still, tensions between developed and developing countries persisted, including at the UN. The latter asked the former to contribute to their development as a reparation of past damages under colonialism, while the former accused the latter of mismanagement and claimed full control over the use of their own funds. As of the mid-1990s, this debate had not led anywhere: everyone wanted to move on, and so they did.

The game changer emerged around the turn of the new millennium, when the UN – under the lead of Secretary General Kofi Annan – heavily invested in the creation and promotion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals were narrow but ambitious; and yet, despite this ambition, most (although not all) of them were met by 2015. According to Dr. Malone, this success was made possible by the high growth rates enjoyed by developing countries through the first 15 years of the new millennium – a growth that, among other factors, was enabled by the previous debt-management strategy and by the increasing flow of international capital to the developing world.

The success in achieving the MDGs thus triggered a new process at the UN, which raised the bar and set for the world even more ambitious goals – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These objectives were underpinned by an assumption that the high rates of growth that had characterized the first decade of the new millennium would continue. As it became clear, however, this assumption was overly optimistic. The 2008 global financial crisis significantly slowed down growth, both in the industrialized world and (albeit to a lesser extent) in developing countries. As a result, international development efforts faced – and still face – increasing challenges. To respond to these challenges, the 2015 Addis Ababa Action plan sought to adopt a more sophisticated strategy to ensure funding for international development efforts. Moving away from a single-handed focus on official development assistance, the plan stressed the importance of multiple funding streams, including remittances and lending instruments. Yet, significant challenges remain as of today, and the path of international development remains uphill.

This is the context in which we can place the advent of COVID-19, which has been sweeping through the world since early 2020. So far, in direct terms, the virus has not affected developing countries significantly harder than developed ones, Dr. Malone noted. However, in a post-COVID world, the needs of developing countries will likely be much more compelling that those of their industrialized counterparts. In short, international cooperation and developmental efforts have achieved a lot over the past 70 years, but much more has yet to be achieved. As we enter the post-COVID era, the world should be aware of that.

* Rector of the unique, Tokyo-based United Nations University and Undersecretary General of the UN, Dr. David M. Malone answered the call of the Swiss UMEF University in Geneva on November 05th 2020, and gave this lecture under the auspices of so-called Geneva Lecture Series – Contemporary World of Geo-economics. Lecture series so far hosted former President of Austria, former Secretary-General of the Paris-based OECD and prominent scholars such as prof. Ioannis Varoufakis. Some of the following guests are presidents and prime ministers of western countries, notable scholars as well as the Nobel prize laureates.

About the author:

Guido Lanfranchi is an international affairs specialist based in Den Haag. He studied at the Dutch Leiden University and Sciences Po Paris, and is attached to the Council of the European Union in Brussels. His research focuses on the EU, Euro-MED and Africa.

We have finally left 2020 behind and as we slowly sail into the new year, hoping that we’ll have fewer colossal challenges to deal with, this year won’t be without its hardships. As a consequence of the pandemic, more companies have had to transition to remote work, leaving very little time to adapt properly or go through the necessary training to ensure productivity across the board. Add to that, there are financial issues to deal with, as well as competition, which will be as fierce as ever, if not more.

To withstand these new challenges of 2021, you’ll need to build a strong and cohesive team in your organization and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals, feeling valued and recognized. As their leader, your role in this process will be an essential and unique one, considering the circumstances in which your leadership will be honed and tested. Here are a few core ideas to keep in mind for 2021 that will help make your team more effective, engaged, and your organization more successful.

Practice empathy for your employees

It’s one thing to say that you care, but a whole different thing when you show that you care. As a leader in the modern day and age, you need to be able to practice empathy on a daily basis with your employees. Now more than ever, when people are dealing with the loss of loved ones, social isolation, and overall uncertainty, your care will mean all the difference in the world. Ask them how they are, provide help if they need any, be flexible, and support your teams, and your business will thrive.

Focus on building engagement

Managing a hybrid workforce is a challenge on its own: you need to be mindful of your on-site staff and their needs, but you also cannot neglect your remote employees. If you do, their engagement will plummet, you’ll have to deal with increasing employee turnover rates, and your staff won’t be as productive.

One simple change that can help is to automate some of your tasks, and implement software to increase company-wide transparency. The same tools you use to track time and attendance should also serve as your comprehensive employee engagement software with built-in communication options to adapt to your employees’ needs. You can chat with the whole team, off and on-site alike, or you can message a single person to see if they need help, keep track of their schedules, and help them manage their responsibilities no matter where they are, thus building engagement, satisfaction, and team cohesion.

Invest in training and education

Your role as a leader requires more than giving out assignments and checking on everyone’s performance every once in a while. Just like you want to make sure you are hiring the right employees who can contribute to your business, you need to think about what’s in it for them.

For most modern employees, the opportunity to move up in their careers, to advance their skills and their resumes are some of the greatest drivers. With that in mind, provide your teams with regular training and education. It will help advance your brand, but it will also help your employees derive greater satisfaction out of their career path.

Recognize your employees’ hard work

While your business is indeed your brainchild and your life’s work perhaps, you also need to be aware of the contribution your employees are making every single day to bring your business to life, to communicate your values to your customers, and to expand your brand’s reach.

The bottom line is, it shouldn’t go without saying. Especially after the year we’ve all had, people need some extra motivation and they want to feel valued, it’s what keeps them engaged and gives them a sense of relevance. Use your performance reviews and your meetings to express your gratitude and pride for your employees’ hard work – don’t generalize it, go out of your way to mention them by name, comment on specific tasks, and praise them for specific skills, they’ll appreciate being appreciated.

Empower work-life balance

People are tired, exhausted even, some are burnt out. They crave bonding with their loved ones, theater shows, restaurant dinners, and parties. While you can’t give them everything they want in the middle of a pandemic, the least you can do is promote, ensure, and empower work-life balance in your organization. Remind them to clock out when their shifts are over, encourage them to spend quality time on self-care, cover their fitness plan. Get creative, and make sure they take better care o themselves in 2021.

Learning is part of leadership and growth, but this year will call for even more effort on your part. Use the knowledge you’ve gained in the previous year and these tips to fuel your team moving forward, and hopefully, this and many upcoming years will be easier on your business, keeping your employees happy, productive, and above all more engaged than ever before, no matter if they work remotely or together with you at the office.

By Peter Minkoff

Peter is a lifestyle and travel writer at Men-Ual magazine, living between Ústí nad Labem and Antwerp. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

For the vast majority of Europe, the first groups to be given a COVID-19 vaccine have been the most vulnerable: the elderly or healthcare workers.

But, in the Czech Republic, they have done things differently.

In an apparent nod to the country’s overall confidence in vaccines, the first person to get the jab was Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

It was part of the government’s new publicity campaign to tackle widespread vaccine scepticism, which appears so entrenched that senior politicians are worried that it may not be possible to get two-thirds of the population immunised.

Experts say between 60 and 70% of the population need to have had the COVID-19 vaccine for the disease to be eradicated.

What are the levels of vaccine scepticism in the Czech Republic?

A survey by STEM, a local pollster, in early December, found that only 40% of Czechs would willingly be vaccinated, amongst the lowest rates in Europe.

See the rest of the article here.

Author: David Hutt

It will be recorded inthe history of international relations that all countries of the Balkans peninsula, starting from Slovenia to Bulgaria had or have officially applied for membership in the EU and NATO, except for Serbia which has declared military neutrality, but is still a candidate for membership in the EU. Throughout the history, by means of public or secret agreements, international conferences, particularly in the case of the ending the two world wars, as well as the local wars in the Balkans and broader region, the major powers have always brokered agreements on their respective spheres of influences, which as a rule, did not respect the wills of those affected the most by such agreements- the states and peoples of the Balkans.

For the first time in history the major Western powers have concocted a new model of distribution of spheres of interest, which, inter alia, includes the procedures for accession to the two strongest and most influential transnational integrations- EU and NATO. Namely, they established a kind of neocolonial approach of dependence of conditionally underdeveloped countries, particularly the Balkans states. There is the well-known example of the Republic of Turkey, a country that has been unsuccessfully awaiting integration into the EU for decades already, despite the fact that it is simultaneously one of the most important members of NATO, because of the role it has in the protection of geopolitical interests of the West, and has also been a kind of an “Eastern shield” for the “Old Lady”- the EU.

The Western Balkans is nowadays put “on hold”. Specifically, the Western Balkans- the region in which World War I started and the region in which 25 years ago a regional war that had threatened global security was ended- is nowadays abandoned and forgotten by the EU and represents a threat and a potential war zone.

It will also be recorded that the strongest states of the Western hemisphere that are EU and NATO members had initiated the processes of integration of the Balkan states in these strongest organizations and then did nothing for decades to coopt the aspirant Western Balkan countries. The existing situation in the Western Balkans can be best described with a quote from Franklin Roosevelt, US President “In /international/ politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.”

Croatia supports separatist wartime policy of Croats in BiH

While the most drastic example is the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the case of North Macedonia is also very important. The Republic of Croatia, a Balkan state, which in the meantime was co-opted into the EU and NATO is currently the major impediment and a factor threatening the peace in the West Balkans, because it supports the separatist wartime policy of the Croats in BiH through Dragan Čović (HDZBiH) and the separatist policy of Milorad Dodik (SNSD), a BiH Serb who wants to present himself as an important Russian actor in the Balkans. Croatia blocks BiH also through a range of intelligence hoaxes by which it supports the Russian policy in the EU and aligns its foreign policy with Russia.

During the recent visit by the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov to Croatia, the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman (HDZ) signed the protocol on intensive consultations between the two ministries for the next two years. Another testimony of the coordination of policies was the statement by the two ministers that Russia and Croatia share the same stance with respect to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hence, Croatia, which is an EU and NATO member, shares the same stance as Russia with respect to BiH. Zoran Milanović (SDP), the new President of the Republic of Croatia, has taken the role of the nationalist Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) in the attacks on BiH. Milanović is being connected with the Albanian mafia, which played a role in his victory at the presidential election. For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9944 (Analysis ● 2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia: Relations in the Shadow of Recent History)

Bulgaria – a Russian “Trojan horse” in EU and NATO

Bulgaria, a Balkans state which had also been co-opted into the EU and NATO, nowadays blocks the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into the EU and in such a way opens a “Pandora’s box” on the Balkans. Bulgaria, which was integrated into the EU thanks to the interventions and pressure by the US, now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the states that directly jeopardize the EU – Hungary, Poland and Croatia. The EU does not wish to intervene and discipline Bulgaria, which is one of the most corrupted countries in the world for years already, as indicated in the reports of the EU, World Justice Project (WJP), Transparency International, OECD, UN, etc. The key question to be asked is at whose order and in whose interest does Bulgaria block North Macedonia. Is Bulgaria an exponent of the Russian policy of destabilization of the region and the EU, as the number one man in Bulgaria is Prime Minister Boyko Borissov (GERB), former bodyguard of the communist dictator Todor Zhivkov and a man with a Russian (soviet) mindset. In addition to the marked Bulgarian nationalism, Zhivkov’s policy was also reflected in negation of the Macedonian minority and Macedonians in general, historic aspirations towards Macedonia, and forcible denationalization of the Turkish minority, whose members were forced to change their names into Bulgarian names. Such a policy has not been discontinued. Former Todor Zhivkov’s bodyguard has blocked the process of enlargement of the EU – in whose name and in whose interest? Is this influenced by some EU members or is this a matter of Russian influence (“Trojan horse”) on Bulgaria through which it undermines the institutions of the EU and NATO, or is it a combination of the two. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov (VMRO), who is of Macedonian descent and a former informant of the Bulgarian communist security service, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zakharieva (GERB) are the most vocal proponents of negation of Macedonians, their identity, the Macedonian statehood and language, which can be characterized as a new-age form of fascism. This opens the question about whether the wave of fascization has really grasped the EU, but also NATO. The European People’s Party (EPP), of which the GERB is a member, is faced with major problems because of the fascization of its own ranks. However, it still does not have the political will and courage for a showdown with the proponents of such occurrences. (i.e. Fidesz, Law and Justice -PiS…). For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9924 (Analysis ● 2020 Bulgaria: Bulgarian “Certification” of Identity of Macedonians and Macedonian Language?)

Disruptive role attributed to Serbia and its president

Serbia was allowed to “get by” and develop its relations with the Russian Federation and China. The EU and NATO have continuously attributed to Serbia an expansionist and disruptive role in the Balkans. Particularly with respect to BiH and its connections with Russia, as well as China. The decade long dialogue/negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo mediated by the EU became a dead letter on paper– that is experienced a fiasco. The question to be asked is do the EU and NATO want Serbia in an alliance with the Russian Federation and China, or are the Russian Federation and China so powerful and strong that they can rope Serbia into their geopolitical and economic interests beyond and against the EU and NATO, or is Serbia so stubborn, powerful and strong that it will resist the EU and NATO and position itself on the side of the Russian Federation and China. The new American administration will soon give answers to these three questions related to Serbia, but also the Western Balkans. It will do so in direct dialogue with Germany and France, and subsequently with the Russian Federation as well.

Analysts believe that the crisis created by the planetary spread of the new Covid-19 virus has once again exposed the weaknesses of the EU and its institutions. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (SNS) obviously hit the mark when he called the EU “a fairy tale on paper.” This situation has not improved to this day, particularly because of the Bulgarian blockade of further enlargement of the EU and the absence of bigger solidarity in the Covid-19 pandemic. Serbia was the first in the region, and third in Europe, to commence with the vaccination of its population against Covid-19. For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9903 (Analysis – 2020 US-Serbia-Kosovo Agreement: New Era of Serbia-US Political and Economic Relations).

Is President of BiH Court Ranko Debevec “blackmailed”?

The most tragic is the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have been the first country of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) to become the EU and NATO member. However, there is no indication when Bosnia and Herzegovina could become an EU or NATO member. Separatist policies inside and outside BiH once again put BiH in the focus of international politics, primarily because of the indifferent and hypocritical policy of the EU.

In BiH, currently, two out of three pillars of the government, the executive and judicial, are falling apart. The aim is to remove Fadil Novalić, Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, through a staged indictment because he is an impediment to Russian energy interests. Furthermore, some circles in BiH and abroad begrudge him for his cooperation and closer relations with the US.

The recent beginning of construction of the Southern interconnection of the BiH-Croatia gas pipeline in the Zagvozd (Croatia) – Posušje (BiH) – Novi Travnik direction is a part of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), which will reduce and subsequently eliminate dependence on the Russian natural gas. Through the Russian actors in the BiH Office of the Prosecutor and the BiH Court, a staged indictment was issued against Novalić, despite the fact that he is one of the most successful prime ministers in the Western Balkans. However, in the end it will expose the Russian actors in the BiH judiciary. The corrupted BiH Office of the Prosecutor is “blackmailing” the President of the BiH Court Ranko Debevec, to confirm the staged indictments.

The IFIMES international institute has notified international officials that it had introduced monitoring over the work of the BiH judiciary, and particularly the BiH Office of the Prosecutor and the BiH Court, as well as that strong pressure is being put to the President of the BiH Court Ranko Debevec. The corrupted BiH Office of the Prosecutor and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) have to undergo changes- not just of its top management. If the head of the BiH Court Debevec supports the staged indictments, and particularly the one against FBiH Prime Minister Novalić, will have to be removed. It is necessary to conduct a thorough reform of the entire judicial system in BiH. For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9942 (Analysis ● 2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina: There Will be No Rule of Law without Comprehensive Judicial Reform- – Fadil Novalić Case Illustrates the State of the BiH Judiciary).

Đukanović expelled Serbian Ambassador Božović in order to sabotage and complicate relations of the new authorities with Serbia

Montenegro got a new Government and after 31 years the most corrupted and criminal system in the Western Balkans, which was headed by the current Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović (DPS), was toppled. The new Government supported the path of Montenegro towards the European Union and the obligations stemming from the country’s membership in NATO. Milo Đukanović is trying to sabotage the new democratic changes in Montenegro and uses, for such purpose, the minority peoples in Montenegro as his political puppets. The latest proposal regarding the adoption of the resolution on Srebrenica in the Montenegrin Parliament, which was submitted by the “Đukanović’s” Bosniak Party (BS) was masterminded by Milo Đukanović, who wants to deepen the conflict between ethnic communities living in Montenegro. The question to be asked is why was the resolution on Srebrenica not adopted when Milo Đukanović’s regime was in power, that is when Đukanović had absolute power in Montenegro.

The unfounded and entirely unsolicited expelling of the Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro Vladimir Božović is in the function of sabotaging the work of the new authorities, raising tensions and undermining peace and stability in the region. Namely, Đukanović policy survived for decades through production of tensions and conflicts in the region, after which Đukanović would regularly emerge as a “savior” and a part of the “solution.” Therefore, the case of Ambassador Božović will be a test for the new Government of Montenegro. Namely – will it continue to pursue this policy of raising of tensions and the policy of further complexing and complicating the relations with Serbia, which has been pursued so far – or will there finally be a change and discontinuity of Đukanović’s policy. Specifically, will there be relaxation of relations and promotion of international cooperation starting with the withdrawal of the decision to expel Ambassador Božović from Montenegro. At the same time, Đukanović persistently continues with fabricated accusations against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić(SNS), who is striving to secure peace and stability in the region under very difficult circumstances and does not fall for Đukanović’s or similar provocations. Serbia is aware that throughout its history it has always progressed when it was leaning on the US. That is why the beginning of the work of the regional office of the International Development Financial Corporation (DFC) in Belgrade is a sign of strong support to the Washington Agreement and the „Mini Schengen” project, as well as development of Serbia.

Attacks by Milo Đukanović’s regime on US diplomatic representatives in Montenegro are a testimony that the overthrown Milo Đukanović’s regime has lost its compass and is ready to undertake all kinds of actions, including establishment of closer relations with Russia and China. Đukanović has never discontinued the cooperation with China, because China actually controls the public finances of Montenegro, as it funds the Bar – Boljare highway. The new Montenegrin Government has to open towards the region and support the activities and initiatives, such as the “Mini Schengen” project, so that the Western Balkans countries that had already applied for membership get integrated into the EU and NATO sooner rather than later. For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9956 (Analysis ● 2020 Montenegro: Đukanović’s war with the US (West))

Kosovo in the eve of new elections – the break away from wartime and mafia structures

Kosovo is currently in the most difficult situation since the international intervention in 1999. Early parliamentary elections, which are to take place soon, should definitely lead to a break away from the wartime political and mafia structures, and open a new chapter in the development of Kosovo. The Decision of the Kosovo Constitutional Court that the election of the current Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and the Kosovo Government was illegally conducted, further contributed to the “cleanup” of the already complicated political situation.

The fact that the official stance of the European Commission on the visa liberation, for which Kosovo meets all the conditions, has still not been implemented is yet another indicator of the inertia of the EU and majority of its member countries when it comes to true interest in the Western Balkans countries. The early parliamentary elections on Kosovo are the final chance for Kosovo to permanently break away from wartime political-mafia structures so that the political options and individuals with no “mortgage of the past” come to power.

Albania in the face of political changes

Parliamentary elections in Albania scheduled for 25 April 2021 should bring political changes and a showdown with mafia structures, which are most visible in the area of illegal production of cannabis and other narcotics and human trafficking. The elections should be a major breakthrough towards the democratization of the country, which its Prime Minister Edi Rama (PS) with his criminal-mafia activities is increasingly taking closer to Latin America, not the EU- despite the fact that membership in the EU is an official political goal of Albania.

Whenever Albanian political structures were closely linked or belonged to the mafia, the Albanian national interests were threatened the most. This is currently visible at Kosovo and in Albania. For more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9947 (Analysis ● 2020 Albania: Edi Rama Takes Albania Closer to Latin America, Not EU).

Russia and China preparing their “membership” applications

The Russian Federation and China are preparing their applications to be given to other countries for membership in the Euro-Asian Union- similar to the applications for membership in the EU and NATO. The tailoring of the applications that Russia and China plan to use around the world, including in the Western Balkans, is underway. China is getting ready to officially offer to specific states a membership model in all “outside-of- China”-enterprises and offers benefits, particularly to those who join the “Silk Road.” Russia wants to officialize its covert activities, but also make “counteroffers” and in such a way officially compete with EU and NATO. The recent visit by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov to BiH was the official beginning of such a policy in Europe. Specifically, the policy that will be offered to all those who do not wish to pursue membership in NATO, do not have an alternative option in the modern geopolitical developments, or are energy-wise connected with Russia.

Analysts believe that time is running out for the EU in the Western Balkans. The blockade of the enlargement process and the inertia with respect to the enlargement could boomerang on the official Brussels, because Russia, China, as well as Turkey, are strongly present in the Western Balkans and it would be realistic to expect that certain countries could change their geopolitical orientation.

What are the priorities of the US and EU policy in Western Balkans

The joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the new security-defense policy, the renewed strengthening of NATO, the joint policy towards the Middle East and Far East, Turkey and Iran, joint monetary-financial projects, the fight against all kinds of Chinese influences, new projects related to the joint migrant policy- are the most important topics between the EU and US.

The biggest challenges for the US and EU will be the joint approach to Russia, because of the EU’s energy-dependency on Russia. The actions of Russia create headaches for the US and EU in almost all segments, because Russia uses the modern communication tools and platforms, as well as strong security-intelligence services, to destabilize the EU, by undermining democratic institutions and creating its /Russia’s/ new positions within the policies of specific EU member countries. The EU will have to first “clean up its own yard” and, with the assistance of the new US administration, try to get out of the evident political crisis that shakes the EU.

Only then will the time come to address the Balkans and the situation in the Balkans. The new US administration will advocate a joint approach to the Balkans and Western Balkans countries. First of all, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In consultation with Germany and France, but without major interference of the EU, the new US Administration will address the situations in BiH, Kosovo and North Macedonia. This will be done in agreement with Russia, particularly with respect to BiH and the final resolution of the issue of Serb secessionist policy in BiH, but also the Croat policy which, in cooperation with Russian, undermines the Washington Agreement and the Dayton peace agreement. While the issue of Kosovo will not be addressed without Russia, the new Administration will strongly buttress North Macedonia and remove the blockades imposed by Bulgaria through internal political changes in Bulgaria. The inevitable question is: Who jeopardizes the Balkans?

The new US administration will definitely do everything to get BiH out of the mire in which it has plunged primarily because of the inert and hypocritical policy of the EU and its internal forces (primarily the Visegrad group of countries), which obstruct any progress. The local polices in the Western Balkans look at the possible future activities of the new US administration in an illusionistic manner, while essentially this will be a very difficult and arduous process, which will also entail global interests of major powers. What will the US offer, in agreement with Russia, for prosperity of BiH and Western Balkans is yet to be seen, because all over the world Russia is maintaining so-called “frozen conflict” and definitely needs the support and assistance of the US in this respect.

Analysts warn of the role of Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, as well as of some other policies of EU and NATO countries, which are partly in the function of Russian interests. It is no surprise that one of the major intelligence posts of Russia is located in Sofia. In this context, it is important to remember that the Russian Federation is a very complex and heterogeneous creation and that Russia is faced with internal threats that can jeopardize its survival in the form as we now knFor more information see: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9933 (Analysis ● 2020 United States: Foreign Policy of the New US Administration for Europe, Middle East and Western Balkans).

Ljubljana/Washington/Brussels, 4 January 2021

Footnotes:

[1] IFIMES – The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Slovenia,has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN since 2018.

EU proposed a hydrogen revolution

The European Commission presented a Hydrogen Strategy on 8th July 2020. It sets, among other things, that from 2025 to 2030 hydrogen needs to become an intrinsic part of our integrated energy system with the production of up to ten million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in the EU. The strategy highlights that it is not only about the energy system, but that “the whole industry can benefit from hydrogen”. At the same time, it is important to synchronise the demand and supply and ensure that there is an appropriate infrastructure. If nobody wants to use it, those who invested in its production will have no customers. The reasons for hydrogen deployment and its costs were the subject of an online debate co-organised by CEBRE together with other partners on 13th October 2020.

In line with the EU strategy, the Czech Republic is preparing its own national Hydrogen strategy. “The Czech Hydrogen strategy should grasp hydrogen as the fuel of the future, because it is ecological, highly efficient and is able to be stored”, said Petr Mervart from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, who is responsible for drafting the text. However, he stressed that the input costs for its production will be very high at the beginning.

Czechia has an industrial tradition and the upgrading of gas infrastructures offers a great opportunity. “If we are able to supply these components, we will be able to supply them everywhere. Industry has a tradition in mechanical engineering and should take this opportunity”, highlighted MEP Mikuláš Peksa (CZ, Greens/EFA). “We should export valves and import hydrogen”, explained Peksa.

Aleš Doucek from the Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform (HYTEP) agreed with starting the shift of energy and mobility from fossil fuels to green fuels. However, he considers the idea to import hydrogen to the Czech Republic from abroad as awkward. He explained that the cost of hydrogen transportation would increase its final price. In the debate with participants, it has been stressed that it would make more sense to start to deploy hydrogen in small areas that would serve as pilots. Pilot projects in regions could reveal how to make the most of this opportunity.

EU recovery plan should help to set new economic growth period

After the spread of the pandemic, the European Commission presented a plan to facilitate the recovery of the European economy after the coronavirus crisis. The plan includes an increase in cohesion funds, a new instrument to support recovery and resilience, which will finance assistance to the Member States most affected by the crisis, and a strengthening of instruments to mobilise private investment and investment in strategic sectors. The funding comes from the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. In a debate organised by the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic together with CEBRE and Confederation of Employers ́ and Entrepreneurs ́ Associations of the CR, representatives of the Commission, The Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, Czech entrepreneurs and trade unions discussed how the European recovery plan could help the Czech Republic.

The speakers agreed that investments in infrastructure, especially in digitisation and transport, but also in green technologies, will be important for the recovery of the domestic economy. The May recommendations of the Commission for the Czech Republic and the National Investment Plan should be a good guide for the use of the EU Recovery Fund. Investment priorities should also be reflected in the operational programs for the forthcoming Cohesion Fund programming period. Above all, it is necessary to identify priority projects at an advanced stage of readiness so that the investment impetus in the economy can come as soon as possible. At the same time, administrative burdens, which are one of the key obstacles to development, need to be removed. According to the Czech Chamber of Commerce, it would help entrepreneurs if some ambitious goals were postponed, as entrepreneurs will have to deal with the consequences of the crisis in the short term, even though they have expected to release investments in green technologies this year.

According to Lukáš Kovanda from the Government’s National Economic Council, the Czech Republic should focus on strengthening the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank so that it can provide repayable assistance to companies in sufficient volume. European funds could also be used to kick-start financial instruments.

The Czech Republic is concerned that a change in the allocation criteria for drawing cohesion funds, e.g. in terms of taking into account the decline in GDP or employment after the COVID crisis, will be disadvantageous for the Czech Republic. On the other hand, the Czech government has an appetite to use the SURE tool to support short-time work scheme, thus protect jobs and self-employed against the risk of unemployment and loss of income.

Did you know that?

New Cybersecurity Strategy presented

On the 16th of December 2020, the European Commission presented a new EU Cybersecurity Strategy, which should strengthen collective protection against cyber threats and provide credible and reliable digital services and tools. The strategy focuses on several key areas, including increasing resilience, technological sovereignty and leadership, building operational capacity for prevention, deterrence and response, and developing a global and open cyberspace to help intensify cooperation. To support these goals, the EU will earmark substantial funding from various programmes, whether from Digital Europe, Horizon Europe or the EU Recovery Plan, which should total up to € 4.5 billion. One of the main tasks of the strategy is also to ensure the secure implementation of 5G networks.

Digital Services Act focuses on online platforms

In mid-December 2020, the European Commission issued the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which should significantly change the rules for all digital services, including social media, online marketplaces and other online platforms. The Digital Services Act amends the e-commerce directive, which was adopted 20 years ago and does not reflect the current market situation. Digital service providers will have to respect new obligations and measures, in particular regarding the elimination of illegal goods, services and content, user protection, transparency, advertising and algorithms for recommending content, or traceability of users in marketplaces. The Digital Markets Act will focus on the negative consequences of certain behaviour of platforms, which have the role of gatekeepers and can set their own rules due to their size and strength.

Commission introduced new legal framework for batteries

The European Commission proposed modernizing European legislation on batteries to meet the current objectives of the EU’s circular economy strategy and the Green Deal for Europe. The aim is for batteries on the European market to be high-performance, safe throughout their life cycle and sustainable in production. The Commission therefore proposes a set of mandatory requirements concerning, for example, restrictions on the use of hazardous substances, the minimum content of recycled material, the carbon footprint of production, their performance or resilience. The measures cover the entire life cycle of batteries, from production to collection and recycling. In addition, the proposal contains a framework for easier use of used batteries from electric vehicles.

The Transparency Register will basically become mandatory

The representatives of the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission agreed on a compromise on the revision of the rules of the Transparency Register that contains information about EU lobbyists. The new rules introduce the principle of conditionality, which makes registration for interest representatives in the register basically mandatory, if they want to carry out certain activities.

New action plan to support the audio-visual and media sector

The European Commission issued an action plan to support the recovery and transformation of the media and audio-visual sector, focusing on 3 main areas and proposing 10 concrete actions. Key areas include recovery, support for ecological and digital transformation, and overall strengthening of the sector. The Commission will support the recovery by improving access to EU funding, investing in the audio-visual sector under the new MEDIA INVEST initiative, which is expected to provide up to € 400 million over the next 7 years, and NEWS initiative, which will provide further financial support through grants and guarantees with a special focus on local media. In the field of digitization, the Commission wants to support the creation of European media data spaces and a European coalition for virtual and augmented reality. In terms of empowerment, the Commission wants to promote dialogue with the audio-visual sector, develop young talents and strengthen cooperation between regulators.

Let ́s talk numbers!

New financial instrument to support artificial intelligence

At the beginning of December 2020, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund launched a new financial instrument designed to support European artificial intelligence companies. The tool will have a budget of € 150 million and will focus on the development of companies in the initial phase or in the growth phase. It will target companies involved in the development of artificial intelligence or its breakthrough application, as well as technologies such as blockchain, the Internet of Things or robotics. It is estimated that the instrument should help 20-30 small and mediumsized enterprises.

EU leaders agreed on Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027

At the European Council Summit that took place in December 2020, EU leaders managed to find an agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU recovery instrument. The total budget will be € 1,800 billion, with € 750 billion earmarked for the recovery instrument. For some time, the agreement was blocked by Poland and Hungary due to the condition of respect for the rule of law. If one of the states violated this condition, it would not be able to draw funds from the budget. Finally, it was agreed that the mechanism would apply retroactively from 1st January 2021, but the Commission would have to wait for a ruling from the EU Court of Justice before initiating proceedings with a Member State.

EU industrial production grew by almost 2% in October

The European statistical office Eurostat informed that industrial production increased by 2.1% in the euro area and 1.9% in the EU as a whole in October of this year compared to the previous month. The best results were reported from Belgium (+6.9%), Germany (+3.4%) and Slovenia (+3.1%), while the largest declines were seen in Denmark (-5.8%), Greece (-3.0%) and Lithuania (-1.7%). Industrial production in the Czech Republic grew by 3.0% in the given period. Year-on-year comparison with October 2019 shows that industrial production fell by 3.8% in the euro area and 3.1% in the EU as a whole.

European Council agrees to increase climate targets by 2030

The European Council reaffirmed its agreement on a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. EU leaders also called on the Commission to reflect this goal in a draft European climate law and to adopt it swiftly. According to the Commission, this agreement is an important step towards meeting the 2050 goal of climate neutrality. In addition, the Council called for strengthening of the EU carbon trading system, for a proposal on how energy-intensive industries can apply climate-neutral technologies while maintaining their competitiveness, and for a draft of a Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism.

Agreement on Invest EU programme

The representatives of the Council and the European Parliament agreed on the form of a regulation concerning the InvestEU programme. It will focus on 4 main areas, including sustainable infrastructure (€ 9.9 billion), research, innovation and digitisation (€ 6.6 billion), small and medium-sized enterprises (€ 6.9 billion) and social investment and skills (€ 2.8 billion). At least 30% of the InvestEU budget will be dedicated to EU climate goals and the program will also include a dedicated Just Transition Scheme.

In the world!

EU wants a close partnership with the US

The European Commission presented a proposal for a new transatlantic agenda to promote EU-US cooperation. According to the Commission, Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the two entities based on common goals and values. The EU should work with the US in four main areas, namely a common response to the coronavirus pandemic; environmental protection; technology, trade and standards; and, last but not least, the promotion of democracy and international law. The cooperation should be formally launched at the EU-US summit scheduled for the first half of 2021.

Council endorsed agreement with China on geographical indications

The Council gave a final green light on an agreement on the protection of geographical indications with China. The agreement signed between the EU and China in September 2020 ensures that 100 traditional European products will be protected on the Chinese market against counterfeiting and 100 Chinese products will be protected on the European market. This is the first bilateral agreement between the two of this type. Four years after the entry into force of the agreement, the scope of the agreement will be extended by a further 175 geographical indications, with the possibility of adding more in the following years.

New system to complain about violations of free trade agreements

The European Commission launched a new system that allows Member States, businesses, business associations, civil society organizations and EU citizens to report barriers to entry to countries with which the EU has free trade agreements. Two forms will be available, one for breaches of market access and the other for breaches of sustainable development commitments. The complaint will need to include an estimate of the economic impact and, after examination by the Commission, the entity will be informed whether the Commission would take corrective actions in this regard. If so, the answer will contain the individual steps that should lead to the correction of the situation and the time schedule.

Trade with Canada grew by almost a quarter in 2019

The European Commission recently issued its fourth annual report on the implementation of free trade agreements covering the year 2019, which shows that despite tensions on the global stage, the EU continued trading with third countries thanks to its bilateral agreements. Trade with the 65 partners with which the EU has agreements increased by 3.4% last year, while overall EU exports grew by 2.5%. The most significant increase in mutual trade was recorded in the agreement with Canada (by almost 25%) and Japan (by 6%). Trade agreements cover a third of the EU’s total trade with third countries.

EU introduced tariffs on US exports related to Boeing case

The European Commission imposed $ 4 billion worth of tariffs on US exports to Europe in connection with the Boeing case of unlawful state aid. The United States is already applying similar measures to European exports to the US in connection with the unlawful support of Airbus, and although the European Commission has sought to find a solution with the US to mutually eliminate tariffs, this option did not happen due to insufficient progress on the US side. Tariffs apply to aircrafts (15%), agricultural and industrial products (25%).

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the seventh local elections since the signing of the Dayton peace agreement were held on 15 November 2020. The elections brought about tectonic changes on the political scene and are a prelude to the announced political changes at the parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on 2 October 2022.

Political changes had also led to success in North Macedonia, with the arrival of Zoran Zaev (SDSM) to power. Zaev took his country to membership in NATO and it is expected that Macedonia will soon open the accession talks with the European Union. The Brussels Dialogue between the official Belgrade and Priština is entering its final phase. In Montenegro, the recent parliamentary elections resulted in the fall of the 31-years long regime headed by Milo Đukanović (DPS), which was an introduction into groundbreaking political changes and stabilization of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the meantime, Joseph Biden (D) won the presidential elections in the US. It is expected that his administration will propel political processes in the Western Balkans, which will make the region more prosperous and ensure lasting peace and long-term stability. In addition to the Dayton peace agreement, the new US administration will also focus on the Washington Agreement[2] in light of the continuous aggressive interfering by the Republic of Croatia, which is unsuccessfully attempting to block progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina through Dragan Čović, leader of the local HDZ BiH party, who acts in conjunction with Milorad Dodik (SNSD). Dragan Čović (HDZBiH) will be in the focus of the new US administration. It is believed that he could share the faith of Mate Boban (HDZBiH), whom upon suggestion of Vatican Franjo Tuđman had sacrificed for the purposes of the Washington Agreement and abolition of the so-called Croatian Republic of Herzeg Bosnia. The new US administration will revise the Washington Agreement to detect the problems and officials who obstruct it.

Mostar City – local elections with far-reaching consequences

After twelve years local elections will take place in Mostar on 20 December 2020. In fact, the city of Mostar is the symbol and epitome of the brutal reality of Bosniak-Croat relations, as well as relations between the two countries- Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It is a paradox that Mostar, a city that has no legal or legitimate local self-governance (mayor and city council) was a candidate for the European capital of culture for 2024 from European Free Trade Association (EFTA)/European Economic Areas (EEA) countries, candidate or potential-candidate countries. It is understandable that Mostar was not elected to be the 2024 European capital of culture, because in Mostar everything would have to be substantially different if it wants to convince Europe of its credibility. However, bluffing and swindler mindset do not led to success with decision makers. Mostar should thoroughly reconsider and redefine its identities in every aspect – starting from legislative to institutional, interethnic, human, political, economic, cultural and operational-functional. The democracy is defeated in Mostar.

Two years ago a Mostar female citizen sued her state of Bosnia and Herzegovina before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, because for more than a decade local elections had not been held in her native town as a result of what for the same period of time she had been deprive of her right to vote.

Local elections in Mostar are taking place in the atmosphere created by the recent local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which resulted in tectonic changes on the political scene that, judging by everything, will also be felt at the local elections in Mostar.

In light of the numerous irregularities and election fraud cases, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina will most probably decide to repeat the elections in the city of Doboj and the Srebrenica municipality. In fact, these irregularities have alarmed the public and warned of the possibility that similar irregularities could occur also at the local elections in Mostar, where no less than 100,864 voters have been registered. A particular concern is the fact that the neighboring Republic of Croatia with its political leadership and the security – intelligence apparatus, is actively involved in the local elections in Mostar. At the local elections in Mostar, voting at diplomatic–consular offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be possible in 17 countries, 873 voters will be able to vote through mobile teams, and 3,985 voters will vote by mail.

The main political rivals at the local elections in Mostar are the 2020 Coalition for Mostar (SDA, SBB, DF, SBIH, BPS – S. H.), headed by Zlatko Guzin and the Croatian Democratic Union BiH (HDZ BiH), which is headed by Mario Kordić. It is worth mentioning that the mayor of Mostar who made all the decisions and managed the city for the past 12 years is from the HDZ BiH. He is suspected of misappropriation and illegal use of around 400 million EUR of budget funds. Mostar has experienced significant stagnation over the past 12 years, despite the fact that it is one of the most beautiful European cities, which in addition to the reconstructed “Old Bridge” is also a home to numerous other cultural-historical landmarks.

Analysts believe that the upcoming local elections in Mostar will be a test for relations between Bosniaks and Croats, as well as relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia. It is of key importance to ensure a better future for Mostar as a multiethnic city fit for all its citizens, as otherwise Mostar will be a city that cultivates the tradition of defeated ideologies from World War II, a city oriented to the past and isolation- instead of a brighter future and the aspiration to become a modern European city, with all the attributes that adorn such cities. The turnout at the elections will decide the election winner. That is why the local elections in Mostar are a kind of a plebiscite on the future of Mostar, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Disputable role of Croatia as a participant at local elections in Mostar

Historical memories that link the Republic of Croatia with Mostar tear open the painful wounds of the recent history. A particular concern is the fact that Croatia, as an EU and NATO member, actively participates at local elections in Mostar.

Analysts warn of the intensity of the Republic of Croatia’s “capillary” involvement in the local elections in Mostar through the support that it openly and publicly extends to the HDZBiH. Visits by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković (HDZ), Croatian Deputy Minister and Minister of Veterans Affairs Tomo Medved (HDZ), numerous ministers from the Croatian government and other officials during the election campaign in Mostar, unambiguously and clearly indicate interference into internal political relations and the election process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a catalogue of unresolved issues between the two states: unratified agreement on the borderline, the issue of property of the state of BiH and BiH citizens in Croatia, activities of the Croatian security-intelligence community on the territory of BiH and illegal interrogation of BiH citizens, disposal of radioactive waste at Trgovska Gora, etc. The relations between BiH and Croatia are additionally undermined by the tactless and incendiary statements bordering on (pro)fascism[3] by the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović (SDP), who uses a colonial and humiliating discourse on BiH and its citizens.

The final and binding judgments of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) have thoroughly established that the conflict on the territory of former Yugoslavia was an international armed conflict in which the Republic of Croatia was involved by means of a joint criminal enterprise (JCE). At the meetings on the work of the ICTY, which were organized in the United Nations in December 2017, Serge Brammertz, ICTY/MICT Chief Prosecutor, emphasized the significance of the joint criminal enterprise as a legal institute: “Thanks to this theory, we determined that the war in Bosnia was not a civil war, but that Belgrade, and also Zagreb, had a role in crimes in BiH, which was an international armed conflict.”

ICTY judgments clearly established the role of Croatia in the war in BiH

ICTY continuously pronounced judgements confirming that there was an international armed conflict in BiH. Croatia militarily intervened in BiH through its control of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO) and the so-called Croatian Republic of Herzeg Bosnia with the aim of annexation of a part of the territory of BiH. The judgments in the first four trials before ICTY established that the Republic of Croatia had been involved in an international conflict/aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Specifically, the judgements in the following four processes, Kordić i Čerkez (IT-95-14/2[4]), Blaškić (IT- 95-14/1[5]), Aleksovski (IT- 95-14[6]) and Naletilić and Martinović (IT-98-34[7]), have established the role of the Republic of Croatia in the war in BiH. Twenty two ICTY prosecutors were involved in the first instance and appeals proceedings, while Tuđman’s transcripts were not used in the first four cases. The existing of a joint criminal enterprise was unambiguously established in the trial against the leaders of the para-state establishment of “Herzeg-Bosnia”- Jadranko Prlić[8] et al.

All the sentenced from the above cases were associated with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The HDZ is one of the few political parties which, as a legal person and a political party, had been pronounced guilty by the County Court in Zagreb, for the criminal offense by a responsible person, which was committed in the period from 24 March 2004 to 1 July 2009. The responsibility of the legal person of HDZ, as a political party, is derived from the guilt of responsible individuals in the legal person, specifically its former President Ivo Sanader (HDZ)and other indictees. Furthermore, the HDZ is increasingly becoming an open problem from the European People’s Party (EPP), of which it is a member.

In many reports before the UN and EU, Croatia is often defined as a country that uses, that is abuses, its full-fledged membership in the EU and NATO. The reports stipulate that Croatia violates all UN and EU conventions related to application and protection of international humanitarian law, and most recently the humanitarian law with respect to migrants. Under the chairmanship of Zoran Milanović, in 2015 the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a decision on suspension of cooperation with BiH in order to protect military-political leadership of Croatia from criminal prosecution. Furthermore, many war criminals, suspected and/or sentenced in BiH, found refuge in Croatia.

Frequent references to establishment of the so-called “Third Croat Entity” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, once again put the focus on the role of HDZ Croatia and the then President of the Republic of Croatia Franjo Tuđman (HDZ). Resolution of the so-called Serb issue in Croatia in the way in which it was done eventually resulted in abolition of the so-called Croatian Republic of Herzeg Bosnia. In such a way, through a broader agreement, which was accepted by Tuđman, the Croat issue in BiH with respect to the third entity was resolved at the cost of BiH Croats, because for the sake of the broader agreement majority of Serbs from Croatia had to leave their centuries-old homes for good.

Croatia instrumentalizes its membership in the EU for its specific nationalist aspirations in the region and particularly those with respect to BiH and Serbia. At the same time it is trying to “croatize” its membership in NATO, while ignoring the fact that NATO is a transnational organization for collective defense and security. Analysts believe that it is necessary to warn the leadership of the European Union and NATO of the abuses made so far and the announced abuses of membership in the EU and ignoring of the EU common foreign policy and relevant NATO policies for the purposes of implementation of some of its policies from the recent history, which had already been tried by the ICTY in The Hague.

Croatian officials leave out the fact that more than 25,000 Bosniaks-Muslims had participated in the defense of Croatia of which 1,180 gave their lives fighting for Croatia and its survival.

Analysts believe that improvement of relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will require a lot of political wisdom, political and diplomatic efforts. However, such efforts could become superfluous if there is no establishment and development of sincere friendship and trust between the two countries, which should be combined with promotion of regional cooperation and acknowledgement of the recent past, and an orientation to a better joint future. The formal rhetorical support provided so far by the highest Croatian officials in the context of formal support of membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU and NATO has been of no benefit to BiH. On the contrary, it has been detrimental to BiH because it undermines the relations within BiH. Furthermore, it will ultimately inflict damage to the Republic of Croatia as well because its political hypocrisy has been recognized and exposed in the broader international community. Croatia must adopt and learn the lessons from its recent past, which are recorded in the judgments of the ICTY.

Central Election Commission must prevent election fraud in Mostar

A comprehensive and accurate electoral register is one of the key prerequisites for quality, free and fair elections. The Central Election Commission is responsible for the integrity of the electoral register in Mostar. It must take care to regularly delete the deceased from the electoral register, prevent illegal entries of new persons into the electoral register, control issuing of certificates for displaced persons and update the names of the streets. Specifically, a significant number of persons have asserted that someone had registered them outside the country.[9]. This is a matter of abuse of the voting from abroad method. The suspicions of abuses are predominantly related to Croatia. The up-to-date data indicates that the highest growth in the number of voters by has been recorded in the municipalities with a significant percentage of Croat population and the municipalities in which the HDZBiH is in power. It was also noted that the highest increase in the number of new voters is registered in Croatia, which leaves room for founded suspicions of abuses that could be qualified as criminal offences.

The process of corruption and election fraud begins with electoral registers and electoral boards. Corrupted electoral registers result in corrupted election results, which as a result generate corruption in the society. Clear evidence of several hundreds, and probably thousands, of abuses of personal data lead to a conclusion that the Central Election Commission, that is the city election commission in Mostar, must guarantee regularity of local elections in Mostar. The election process in Mostar is threatened.

Analysts assess that the local elections in Mostar will have far reaching consequences for the future of the city of Mostar, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Practice shows that in BiH elections are won in the election commission, which is an additional concern. That is why it is important now and in the future to protect this institution from pressures from politics and the possible manipulations with respect to establishment of election results.

Ljubljana/Brussels/Sarajevo/Washington, 16 December 2020

Footnotes:

[1] IFIMES – The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Slovenia,has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)/UN since 2018.
[2] The Washington agreement was signed between BiH Croats (represented by the Republic of Croatia) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 March 1994 in Washington. The parties agreed to a ceasefire between the Croatian Defense Council (HVO) and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RBiH Army). The internal organization of the territory with predominantly Bosniak and Croat population in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was remodeled into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of 10 cantons with equal rights and responsibilities.
[3]HRT: Interview, Zoran Milanović https://vijesti.hrt.hr/688499/milanovic-u-dnevniku-ljude-na-prvoj-crti-trebalo-bi-platiti-dvostruko
[4] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Dario Kordić and Mario Čerkez, IT-95-14/2, par. 108,109,137,142,145 (‘Kordić and Čerkez’) https://www.icty.org/x/cases/kordic_cerkez/tjug/en/kor-tj010226e.pdf
[5] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaškić, IT-95-14-T, par. 94, 122,123,744 (‘Blaškić’) https://www.icty.org/x/cases/blaskic/acjug/en/bla-aj040729e.pdf
[6]ICTY, Prosecutor v. Zlatko Aleksovski, IT- 95-14, https://www.icty.org/x/cases/aleksovski/acjug/en/ale-asj000324e.pdf
[7]ICTY, Prosecutor v.Naletilić and Martinović IT-98-34, https://www.icty.org/x/cases/naletilic_martinovic/acjug/en/nal-aj060503e.pdf
[8] ICTY, Prosecutor v. Jadranko Prlić et al., IT-04-74, par. 24 ,544,545,549,550,560,568 (‘Prlić et al.’) https://www.icty.org/x/cases/prlic/acjug/en/171129-judgement-vol-1.pdf
[9] Source: Central Election Commission https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/Lokalni_izbori_2020/Mostar/RegistrovaniIzvanBiH_Mostar.pdf

An independent platform MDW named the gross salary that can be considered minimum decent wage – in Prague, it was at the value of 37 987 CZK, in the rest of the Czech Republic – at 32, 438 CZK. Such results were obtained by the researchers for the year 2020 – since 2019, these values rose by 3,1%.

The minimum decent wage is defined by MDW as compensation for a standard 8-hour workday, which allows the employees to have basic yet decent finances for themselves and their household. With such a wage, people should expect to have enough money for food, transport, education, healthcare, clothes, leisure, and savings. Care for one dependent person (child/elderly/sick) was also included in the calculations.

During the research, twenty-two different experts were consulted, including specialists in areas of sociology, politology, economics, trade, and statistics.

The wage was broken down into eight categories:

1. Purchasing decent quality food + lunch for employed adults per month – 5, 747 CZK
2. Monthly rent of a moderate apartment + services – 8, 380 CZK in Czech cities / 12, 205 CZK in Prague
3. Clothes – 1, 132 CZK per month
4. Transport – 1, 680 CZK per month
5. Telecommunications – 1, 353 CZK per month
6. Health and Hygiene – 1, 028 CZK per month
7. Leisure and Education – 2, 891 CZK per month
8. Savings – 3, 290 CZK per month

According to the researchers, if the workers are not paid the minimum decent salary, they fall into the trap of debt, health problems, and limited opportunities for themselves and their children.

In 2020, the Czech minimum wage is at 14,600, which got raised by 1,250 from 2019. Despite the raise, according to MDW, Czech purchasing power remains at the bottom of the list among its European neighbors while economic uncertainty for half of the population is high.

Source

Author: PRAGUE MONITOR EDITORS

As a business owner or entrepreneur, you are the leader of your company which means your team looks up to you. You are the one guiding them – not just being the boss and telling them what to do. Anda good leader is the one that shows their employees that he or she cares about their performance, their achievements, and their problems. Here are some ways great leaders show they care.

Why Is It Important to Value Employees?

For some leaders, especially those more concerned with facts than feelings, it is not always easy to understand why it is so important to value employees and show that they do. Ways Great Leaders Show They Care stresses the fact that many people leave their jobs because they don’t feel wanted and appreciated, but there’s even more to the matter.

For instance, showing that you care about your employees both as a team and as individuals can improve their confidence and motivate them to be more productive. It can also help leaders better connect with their employees which can lead to more cooperation and efficiency. In other words, showing you care is not a weakness – it’s a way to improve your team in so many different ways.

#1 Get to A Personal Level

When you set out to become a more mindful leader who shows that they value their team, the first thing you need to do is get to a personal level. This doesn’t mean that you need to discuss the private lives of your employees with them (or your own, for that matter), but it does mean you need to stop being professional at every single interaction you have.

For example, if you are having a face-to-face talk with one of your employees and want to discuss their recent achievements, it’s worth showing that you are genuinely happy about it. It’s not just the numbers that interest you, but also the effort they put in and how much they had to work to achieve the things they achieved.

#2 Praise Achievements

Speaking of achievements, great leaders appreciate and praise them as much as possible. Of course, it is expected of regular employees to do their best and meet at least some minimal requirements, but when they overachieve, it’s your responsibility as a leader to show that this overachievement is valued and appreciated.

If you don’t praise their achievements, they will see that you don’t care and will stop trying to do more than they need to do as a part of their job. In other words, they can lose their passion altogether just because they see that there is nobody else who cares about what they are doing despite all the time and energy they put in.

#3 Value Work-Life Balance

For most business owners and entrepreneurs, it is essential that employees value their jobs and know the consequences of not doing the work right. But a great leader should also understand that many people struggle to maintain a work-life balance.

A successful leader should value the work-life balance their employees are going for. You don’t need to discuss private details of their lives, but you need to find a way to help them balance their jobs and their lives outside their jobs. Besides, you are probably trying to do so for yourself as well so it’s only logical that your team should be able to have the balance too.

#4 Listen Actively and Attentively

Indeed, most leaders are expected to be the ones talking. After all, they should lead their teams to success by explaining what they need to do and what is expected of them. However, a great leader is also the one who listens actively and attentively to what their employees have to say.

This doesn’t only mean listening to their creative ideas – it also means listening to their complaints. Is there something an employee is concerned about? Listen to them and try to find a solution together. Remember that you need to be empathetic and show that you understand their feelings and want to help.

#5 Provide Career Opportunities

Speaking of listening to creative ideas, a great leader is also the one providing valuable career opportunities to their employees. Everyone wants to grow and develop professionally, so most employees will jump at the opportunity of leading a new project, getting a promotion, or being sent on an important business trip.

Of course, there will be some people who are fine with their current positions and will be glad to continue doing what they do. You can either let them enjoy their work or you can incentivize them to aim higher and become an even better employee.

#6 Give Feedback Regularly

Last but not least, make sure to give feedback regularly to your team and to your employees separately. Much like providing employees with opportunities, it will help your team members correct their past mistakes and grow as a professional.

In addition to that, most people like receiving feedback. You just need to make sure to not be too harsh when delivering it – but also don’t sugarcoat. Find the right balance and provide honest feedback to everyone in your team.

Final Thoughts

All in all, showing appreciation of what your employees are doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis is a must if you want to be a good leader. By encouraging creativity and giving your team more opportunities, you will be growing an inviting company culture, but you should also use the tips in this article to show you care on a more personal level.

By Nancy Howard

Nancy P. Howard has been working as a writing expert at Online Writers Rating for a year. She is also webmaster at review service Best Writers Online. She loves travelling, photography and always welcome to meet new people.

Solar power is starting to dominate the renewable energy market according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), but wind power is also experiencing a boom. Experts from the Czech Academy of Sciences believe that it could produce up to a quarter of the power consumption in the Czech Republic by 2040.

The IEA expects renewables to overtake gas and coal as the primary source of world energy by the year 2025, with wind power being an important component. Furthermore, the price of energy from this source is likely to get cheaper as technologies and markets develop further.

Currently, there are 200 wind turbines in the Czech Republic. Altogether they are capable of producing just 1 percent of the nation’s energy consumption. However, their number is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, says David Hanslian from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Czech Academy of Sciences, who presented his study on the subject to the Chamber of Renewable Energy and the Czech Wind Energy Association earlier this year.

“By the year 2040, wind power could account for 10 to 25 percent of energy use in the Czech Republic, provided that we see a simultaneous rise in consumption.”

Read the rest here.

Authors: Tom McEnchroe, Štěpán Sedláček, Zuzana Marková

Next time you book a vacation, make sure you do all your due diligence first. A group of South Moravian vacationers lost 1.5 million Kč getting caught up in a fake advertisement for an alpine getaway in the Austrian Alps.

The demand for vacation rentals has been skyrocketing in the Czech Republic the past year, as COVID-19 restrictions prevent people from traveling, forcing them to stay within their own borders or getting short term rentals in their neighbouring countries. Scammers are taking advantage of this trend by littering the internet with fake ads for cottages and getaways that either don’t exist or don’t belong to them.

David Chaloupka, a spokesman for the police said that “a week of recreation to close out the year cost almost one and a half million koruna here.”

The vacationers, lured by the prospect of having a large cottage to themselves in a remote location of the Austrian mountains, went ahead and transferred the fee through a foreign website, thinking the money was all insured with the possibility of a refund. Unfortunately, the money was wired to the fraudster instead of the owner of the cottage.

When someone from the group asked if they could bring a pet, the con artist stopped responding, prompting them to just phone the owner of the cottage directly who then broke the bad news to the group.

The Czech police say this case is far from the only one, so they advise travellers to always book directly with the owners of properties, or book through legitimate verified companies.

Source
Author: Alex Richardson

As the present world order weakens, the mega confrontations have appeared more likely: On its post-Soviet revival quest, Russia becomes increasingly assertive in Euro-MED theatre and beyond. The Sino-American relations are increasingly adversarial, with escalating frictions over trade, advanced technology, human rights, and global strategic influence.

Currently, both sides – as president of the US Council of Foreign Relations Richard Haass states – ‘are developing scenarios for a possible war’. The two countries rhetoric has grown so hostile that its speed and severity is unprecedented for the post WWII period, rather belonging to the forgotten vocabulary of 1910s and 1930s. (E.g. referring to PRC as ‘Country of Kung Flu’ or to the US as ‘trigger happy nation’; calling the C-19 ‘China virus’ or ‘US Army brought pathogen’; China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman referring to the US leadership as ‘Elements deluded by the Capitol Hill metastasis’ while the US State Secretary calls the Chinese Communist Party ‘rogue actor’, and then in return Secretary Pompeo gets proclaimed as ‘the public enemy of mankind’ – just to name but few from the long list of heavy verbal fire exchanges between the two.)

Strategic decoupling between the biggest manufacturer of American goods – China, and its largest consumer – the US, seems inevitable.

It also appears increasingly irreversible, no matter if the change of leaders in Beijing or in Washington may or may not happen beyond 2020. This will of course trigger a global realignment and new fragilities to all default lines on land and seas, in skies, cyberspace and near outer space.

White House and House of Cards

Of course, many would reject the above as an overstatement and author’s alarmism. To this end, let us state some facts:

1. Extensive exchange of goods is not deterrent. Trade is an instrument of power not a virtue per se, even though be it the RCEP or TPP. (The case of the UK and Germany in the eve of the WWI, and of Japan and the US in 1941, are the most known, in the series of such examples starting with the Peloponnese, Trojan and Punic wars, through the Napoleonic wars and Continental blockade all the way up to modern times, when nations were ‘sleepwalking’ strait into a major mutually devastating and lasting armed conflict.);

2. Absence of (regional) nuclear parity deterrent. (Asia hosts by far the largest number of nuclear powers – 2 legitimate, 3 declared, 1 undeclared and at least 2 states with the credible delivery systems and N-ready ‘turn-key’ technology. None of them is even by its quantities, qualities, configurations and delivery capabilities – which makes the First strike doctrine tempting.)

3. Diminishing international order due to a combination or either of the following:
a. Successful challenger to the Status Quo power/s. Or when a Dismissive meets a Neuralgic one. (Such constellation makes both sides nervous: Challenger is eager to contend and change, and the Status Quo power tempts to strike sooner as it feels the time does not contribute to its strength – with a compromise as a biggest looser. The modern-day China is portrayed as once-upon-a-time Imperial Germany – an illiberal opaque power that misuses liberal system on its unchecked quest for a world domination. Collision course is fanned irrespectively from a fact that there are no overlapping territorial claims or even common borders, as well as despite an unprecedented interconnectivity and mutually brought prosperity. Confrontation is not only geo-economic but also ideological: Liberal world of freedom against illiberal order of coercion.);
b. Weakening political support of the main guarantors to the existing International Regime, due to their contracting economics and/or demographics (Simply, Trump, Johnston, Bolsonaro, Modi, Kaczyński, Orbán are not causes to but the consequences of fading politico-economic system of the western type of democracy);
c. Absence of the comprehensive regional system to temporarily uphold or replace the shrinking global one (while Europe is the most multilateralised region on our planet, Asia is the only world’s continent that has no single, even less the security related, pan-continental organisation).

Although the new US President is in place, it would be foolish to expect any policy reversal. The new administration will see China the same way: Not as a dangerous (trade) rival, but as a foe.

Is this yet another author’s alarmism?

Biden presidency will be one of the weakest in the past 100 years. It is indeed a Pyrus victory: Trump got few million votes more now than in 2016 (i); Senate is controlled by Republicans (ii); angry Trump electorate is deeply convinced that the victory has been stolen from them, and will be further galvanising enlarging noising and tilting to the right for the following 4 years (iii); the blue-collar America firmly believes China steals their jobs – and none on the Democratic left even attempted to refute that (iv). Hence, Biden’s four years in office (if) will be marked by alienation from those electing him, and by pure agony of cohabitation with stifling Republicans. Administration will remain paralysed (if even willing) for any reversed yet fresh policy formulation.

Finally, history of the US bipartisanism teaches us that traditionally Democrats were opening wars while Republicans were those closing them. Overstatement? Mind, also that for nearly past 150 years, Trump presidency was the only 4-year period Americans did not start a single war. Many now believe, it is a high time to recuperate and compensate.

Ergo, a change in the White House – paradoxically enough – will not slow down the ongoing strategic decoupling and to it compulsory global re-alignment. On contrary, it will only accelerate its speed and severity.

To be sure; only a measurable success in the US-led de-Chinasation of the West will determine how far (and how long) will take the ongoing de-globalization, and if the second phase will be a reversibility, a re-globalization of the world. There is no other way to convert growing nationalistic passions into internationalist drives.

History of Future – Inevitability …

It was expected that by the end of 2020s, Asian economies will be larger than the rest of world’s economies combined. Africa-Middle East were to come up next. Of course, that was only a prediction made before C-19 and the sudden Sino-American rift. Or this was the origin of that rift? – It is still to be seen.

Past the demise of global communism, many in Asia, Africa and Middle East enjoyed for decades, the best of both worlds: Cheep products from China and the military protection – or at least an implicit security guaranty – from the US, nearly for free. This especially goes for the southeast Asia (formerly representing the major Asian default line), large sways of south Afro-Asia and of the Far East.

The imposed re-alignment will hit them particularly hard – from a prosperous meeting point of goods, cultures and ideas into the politico-military default lines. This painful readjustment may last for decades to come. Opting for either side will not only impact economy trade and security but will also determine a health of population and societal model, too. Unprepared and unwilling for either-or – particularly Asia – missed to build, what I called for for over a decade; a comprehensive cross-continental security setting (the pan-Asian OSCE).

The inland giga-demography, inward looking culture, obedient imitator, humble manufacturer en mas – overnight presses globally and over the sea lanes: From diligent labourer to the omnipresent global power. In the grand rapprochement of 1970s, the coastal areas of China have been identified by the West as its own industrial suburbia. And now, that ‘industrial zone’ has a coherent planetary plan.

Was the Deng’s China joining the system to preserve it, or to tacitly hijack it from within? The shockwaves swept all in the West. The US – after its initial hangover – undergoes a painful adjustment: There is a growing consensus among all stakeholders in Washington that the strategic engagement is a failed policy with Beijing – something that obviously did not preserve the US interests, even less its supremacy. Chine is not a dangerous (trade) rival, it is a foe.

This will now seek for the binary acclamation all over the rest of our world. Time of ‘either-with-us-or-against-us’ returns, while the Middle East – North Africa (MENA) and Afro-Asia have no their third way readily prepared to offer (for at home and abroad) but only alignment behind one or the other – reminiscence of the pre WWI Europe with the two rigid (and soon conflagrating) blocks.

Beyond the Sino-world, the rest of Asia, Africa and Middle East (ME) are also dominated by mega demographies, brewing social mobilisations, expectations and migrations, inward looking regressive political culture (often lacking the world-view perspectives and contributions), insecure Asian nuclear powers, and history of rather hierarchical international conduct and architecture, than of a multivectoral vibrant active foreign policy (a bandwagoning instead of multilateralism).

All this necessitates to revisit the fundamentals of the African Union (AU), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), League of Arab States (LAS) and other similar mechanisms: But it even more invites to rethink and reinvigorate the best of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which saved the world from the past irresponsibilities and frictions of the two confronted blocks that contested each other all over the globe for decades.

Case of the EU – AU’s (or ASEAN’s) twin sister – is an indicative: At present, the EU is destructive in MENA, dismissive with Russia, neuralgic on Turkey and post-Yugoslav space, obedient to China and submissive to the US. None of it serves interests of Europe on a long run.

However, realities are plain to see: the ME seeks for consolidation, Russia for cooperation, China for domination and the US for isolation. Judging the (in-)action of the current Commission, seems the EU does not grasp it well. Therefore, losses its appeal, and tomorrow it may its substance as well, with overall BRAINXIT. Desirably, the AU (or ASEAN) should learn from the Twin’s, not from its own, mistakes:

The Indo-Pacific, ‘The Quad’, initiative (from Horn of Africa to East Pacific coast) is not a viable policy response for the age of global realignment. It is rather a panicking tactics of imperial retreat (seen in the past with the ‘Coalitions of the Willing’). Why to side it up in lieu of the long-term principles shouldering the skilfully calibrated strategic and emancipatory orientation?

MENA and Afro-Asia should not exhaust its entire foreign policy intellectualism on that. A host of historic south-south summit of 1956 (RI), champion of true multilateralism, along with numerous founding members of NAM should not peripheries themselves by becoming a default, Maginot Line but should lead a reinvigorated Third way.

Between confrontation and bandwagoning, it is time for a true multilateralism (active and peaceful coexistence postulated by the NAM). The Movement gave for so many and for so long a security shelter, voice above weight, sense of civilisational purpose, and a promising future of attainable prospect on the planetary quest for a self-realisation of mankind.

Confrontation is what you get, and cooperation is what you are fighting for.

Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarević,
Vienna, 20 XI 2020

Author is chairperson and professor in international law and global political studies, Vienna, Austria. He has authored seven books (for American and European publishers) and numerous articles on, mainly, geopolitics energy and technology.

Professor is editor of the NY-based GHIR (Geopolitics, History and Intl. Relations) journal, and editorial board member of several similar specialized magazines on three continents.

His 8th book, ‘No Asian Century’ is scheduled for winter 2020-21.

On the occasion of the Icelandic Sovereignty Day, December 1, 2020, the Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Prague officially opened. The Honorary Consul is Klára Dvořáková, attorney at Holubová advokáti. Though she is the only official representative of Iceland in the Czech Republic. The open-ing celebration took place online on the youtube channel of the Consulate of Iceland in Prague, Czech Republic.

The Honorary Consulate is the only official representation of Iceland in the Czech Republic. “For Czech citizens, we can arrange business contacts in Iceland, and also find partners for applicants for support from EFTA funds. Of course, we can also advise on the current conditions of travel to Iceland, “says Klára Dvořáková, the new Honorary Consul of Iceland. The Honorary Consulate is the place Icelandic citizens can turn to for assistance while in the Czech Republic as residents, tourists, students, and also if they have business and other interests in the Czech Republic. “Just as Czechs love Ice-land, Icelanders love Prague and life in the Czech Republic. Even some suc-cessful Icelandic entrepreneurs work in Prague, “adds Klára Dvořáková. The Honorary Consulate also support and develop bilateral Czech-Icelandic rela-tions in the business and cultural fields. “We don’t know much about Ice-land, we often think only of beautiful nature. But above all, it is a very eco-nomically and technologically developed country. Iceland is often placed at the top of quality and family life rankings and leads in the comparison of education or gender balance, “says Klára Dvořáková, who is one of the few women in the Czech Republic in the position of Honorary Consul.

Klára Dvořáková is a partner of the law firm Holubová advokáti s.r.o. The office is known for its consulting in the field of tourism, damages, property management and healthcare. As an attorney, Klára Dvořáková specializes in travel law and also in damages. Close to her heart is counseling in matters of professional responsibility, sports and mountain professions. She is also cur-rently the leader of the Group of Legal Experts of the International Moun-taineering Federation (UIAA). She graduated from the Faculty of Law of Charles University and previously worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Department of Community Law. She is married and has two sons.

The address of the Honorary Consulate of Iceland is

Holubova advokáti s.r.o., Za Poříčskou bránou 21/365, 186 00 Praha 8, Tel. +420 212 242 091

www.holubova.cz

Curiosities from Iceland:

• Iceland is considered the safest place in the world for data cen-ters, due to political stability, favorable climatic conditions, rich renew-able energy sources and a relatively low risk of natural disasters. Data centers are located in the south of the island.
• 98 percent of the population is connected to the Internet
• In Iceland, you can pay virtually anywhere by card
• Iceland already had a woman as president in 1980
• The island, which has a population of around 350,000, is visit-ed by around four million tourists a year
• Iceland ranks first in the rankings of quality of life or quality of family life
• Icelanders do not use surnames, but they are also addressed in official contact by first names
• Icelanders form a surname from the first name of the father or mother. Each member of the Icelandic family has a different surname
• Alcohol had been prohibited on the island for almost a hundred years and the prohibition was abolished in 1989, to this day alcohol is only available in specialty shops or bars
• There is almost no crime in Iceland, Icelandic police even serve unarmed Important Icelanders in the Czech Republic or their companies: ORKA Ventures – The key activity is the creation of successful fintech companies in the area of providing cash loans, debt collection and en-forcement of transaction business in Northern Europe. The majority owner is the Icelander Leifur Alexander Haraldsson, who has lived permanently in the Czech Republic since 2005.

The Czech Republic said on Wednesday it would add a diplomatic presence to its Jerusalem office next year in what the foreign ministry called a move to boost services for Czech citizens in Israel and not a new embassy, Reuters reports.

The central European country has long been one of Israel’s steadiest supporters in the European Union and its president, Milos Zeman, has backed the idea of relocating the Czech embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. However, no steps have been taken.

Israel, which welcomed the Czech announcement, regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, although that is not recognised by most countries. Palestinians seek the city’s east, which Israel captured in a 1967 war, as capital of a future state.

Given the city’s disputed status and sensitivity in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, most countries with embassies in Israel have opened them in its commercial capital of Tel Aviv.

The Czech foreign ministry said the establishment of an office with a diplomat in Jerusalem, alongside an honorary consulate there, was not connected to the ongoing peace process in the Middle East nor was in any anticipation of its results.

It said that having a diplomat would let it carry out more services for Czech citizens, such as replacing lost documents, which can currently only be done at the embassy in Tel Aviv.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, writing on Twitter, said he had spoken with his Czech counterpart and congratulated him on a decision that “emphasizes our strong friendship and strategic partnership”.

Israel has become a more popular travel spot for Czechs in recent years, growing from around 17,000 tourists in 2016 to about double that in 2019, the ministry said. Last year around 160,000 Israelis visited the Czech Republic, it said.

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In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the elections of local authorities were held on 15 November 2020.

The results of the local elections are a prelude into tectonic changes on the political scene of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The wave of political changes has shifted from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was most prominent in the entity of Republika Srpska were the ruling regime headed by Milorad Dodik and his Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) suffered a strong political blow from the opposition, primarily in Banja Luka, the largest city in Republika Srpska, but also in major economic centers in the entity such as Bijeljina, Derventa i Brod. After the fall of the regime of Milo Đukanović (DPS) in Montenegro, the fall of Dodik’s regime has become inevitable. Dodik displayed humility and attempted to curry favor with the Vice President of the European Commission and High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy Joseph Borell during his recent visit to Sarajevo when he requested financial support from the EU, which could prolong his regime for a short period of time. Hence, the question to be asked is will, this time as well, the international community financially support Dodik and save his regime from financial collapse?

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) was seriously defeated in Sarajevo by four political parties popularly dubbed as “the four”: Social Democratic Party (SDP), Our Party (NS), Independent BiH List (NBL) and People and Justice (NiP). The SDA lost a number of municipal/city mayor positions, which will shake the position of the SDA President Bakir Izetbegović and lead to fermentation within the SDA, the required thorough reform of the party and freshening up of the party with new people.

In the BiH Brčko District the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) has become the strongest political subject, and the mayor should be from its ranks. The BiH Brčko District, once the most successful local community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been stagnating over the past decade.

Although these were local elections, their relevance goes beyond the local level, because the results of these local elections will indirectly reflect on the parliamentary elections in BiH, which will take place on 2 October 2022, as well as on the local elections in Mostar, which after 12 years will finally take place on 20 December 2020.

The local elections saw numerous deficiencies and irregularities. They were not completely fair and took place in an unfair atmosphere and conditions in which the ruling national/nationalist parties had “unlimited” resources at their disposal as a result of what the opposition was in an extremely unequal position. The biggest irregularities were established in the city of Doboj, were most probably the local elections will be repeated. A plethora of complaints were made also with respect to the local elections in Srebrenica with respect to the electoral roll, the election process itself and voting by mail. There are reasonable grounds for repetition of elections in Srebrenica.

Judiciary is the cancer of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The situation in the BiH judiciary is best illustrated in the two following reports: Johann Priebe’s report titled “Experts’ report on Rule of Law issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina[2]” from December 2019 and the OSCE report titled “Third Annual Report On Judicial Response To Corruption: The Impunity Syndrome[3]” from November 2020.

Priebe’s report is based on the findings of high level missions, during which experts met with representatives of the Constitutional Court, members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), the courts, prosecutors’ offices, law enforcement agencies, ministries of justice, ministries of security/internal affairs , the offices of members of the BiH Presidency, and other representatives of public authorities at all relevant levels of government, as well as civil society organizations and citizens. The report also incorporates the findings of expert peer-review missions in the areas of asset declarations and disciplinary responsibility of judicial office holders; fight against corruption, organized crime and money laundering; focused trial monitoring and assessment of recently concluded cases.

The Priebe’s report singles out the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC[4]) as the single self-management body for the entire judiciary and a central institution in the rule of law area in BiH. Its mandate covers all four judicial systems and is intended primarily to shield the judiciary from political influence and interference, guarantee the proper functioning of all judicial systems and act as the driver of judicial reform. The HJPC selects, appoints and promotes judicial office holders and managers and exercises disciplinary powers. Furthermore, the HJPC by-laws apply in all four judicial systems, which is an important element for the coherence and consistency of judicial policy. These broad competences make the HJPC a powerful institution. It is therefore essential that the institution embodies the values and principles that it is intended to guarantee and that it leads the process by example with efficiency, responsibility and integrity.

The Priebe’s report also stipulates that over the last years, the HJPC has itself become a part of the problem. Serious miscarriages of justice have become apparent due to lack of leadership capacity, allegations of politicization and conflicts of interest, inefficient organization, insufficient outreach and transparency, and, finally, its failure to implement reforms.

The public opinion was particularly shaken by corruption allegations against the HJPC President Milan Tegeltija and alleged manipulations of appointment and disciplinary procedures. Taking into account the seriousness of the allegations, the reaction of President Tegeltija as well as the unanimous support for his actions by the HJPC members does not appear to be appropriate bearing in mind the importance of this institution. No substantive disciplinary investigation has taken place. An important opportunity to set a precedent of integrity was lost. This created deep reputational damage to the institution of the HJPC. Numerous interventions at the public debate “Right to Justice” have demonstrated that this incident remains an issue of deep concern in professional circles and among the broad public of the country.

Addressing rule of law shortcomings in BiH, remains a huge challenge. As the group has pointed out in particular: trust needs to be rebuilt, human rights and fundamental freedoms must be guaranteed, justice must better serve citizens, the HJPC needs a fundamental reform and a radical change of behavior, integrity of judicial office holders must be ensured, the untenable constitutional weaknesses need to be overcome, and politicians must act constructively and not obstruct.

The report of the OSCE Mission in BiH reads that a key factor that must be considered is the occurrence of illegal or unethical behavior of certain judges and prosecutors who may be manipulating the outcome of high and medium level corruption cases, as well as the unwillingness of the HJPC to uphold professional and ethical standards and ensure accountability within the judiciary. The HJPC has displayed a lack of accountability and made questionable judicial appointments. The “greasing” affair that saw the President of HJPC Tegeltija at its center casts a harsh light on the current situation within the HJPC. In May 2019, the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) – the branch of the HJPC that is responsible for bringing disciplinary proceedings against judges and prosecutors accused of ethical and professional breaches – filed a disciplinary complaint against the HJPC’s President Milan Tegeltija in connection with video footage showing that he had improperly communicated with a party to an ongoing proceeding.

Members of the Presidency of the HJPC are absolved from disciplinary accountability and therefore also the possibility of suspension or termination of mandate. This interpretation of the Law on the HJPC thereby resulted in de facto impunity for the President of the HJPC – the highest-ranking member of the judiciary. This absurd outcome signals such a grossly erroneous interpretation of the law as to reasonably merit suspicion that it was made intentionally to reach the desired outcome.

In recent years, the Mission has observed that the HJPC is not the only judicial institution showing disregard towards the principles of accountability, impartiality and professionalism. As previously mentioned, the BiH Office of the Prosecutor and the Court of BiH have also displayed worrying signs of this.

What can be done to re-establish trust in the judiciary? The OSCE Mission report describes four recommended first steps:

The accredited diplomats in BiH from foreign embassies, Office of the High Representative, OSCE, as well as representatives of other international institutions have an absolutely negative opinion on the work of the BiH Office of the Prosecutor headed by Chief Prosecutor Gordana Tadić and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) headed by Milan Tegeltija. BiH Chief Prosecutor and HJPC President are personae non gratae for international representatives and they do not get invited to major events, because they are perceived as direct “outposts” of Milorad Dodik (SNSD) i Dragan Čović (HDZBiH). Therefore, it is necessary to provide international assistance to the media and journalists who expose crime and corruption through an independent and professional investigative approach.

Legal experts believe that the situation in the BiH judiciary is worrying and that the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and BiH Office of the Prosecutor are the “cancer” whose activities negatively reflect on lower levels in the judicial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Union is funding failing judicial systems. Namely, so far through various forms the European Union has vainly invested 250 million EUR of EU tax payers money in the BiH judicial system.

Case of FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalić – framing an indictment

The situation in the judiciary and the behind-the-scene games can be illustrated through the case of the FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalić. Namely, the BiH Office of the Prosecutor is conducting an investigation against Prime Minister Novalić regarding the alleged abuse of office, despite the fact that the FBiH Government had only given its consent to the FBiH Civil Protection Administration for procurement of medical equipment, without specifying the resources to be procured. The specification of the equipment and resources that needed to be procured was made by the Civil Protection Headquarters, which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister/ Finance Minister Jelka Milićević (HDZBiH), who also proposed (not Prime Minister Novalić) the decision for the Government to appropriate funds for procurement of the equipment. Deputy Prime Minister Milićević also later presented the respective information at the level of the FBiH Government, which was unanimously adopted and reads that the contract on procurement of 100 ventilators had been concluded. All the ministers were informed on everything and all the decisions were adopted by the Government as a collective body, not by the Prime Minister.

The session at which the funds were appropriated and a decision on procurement of medical equipment was made, took place on 2 April 2020. The agenda for that session included two items: the decision on appropriation of funds (Deputy Prime Minister was the proponent), and the decision on procurement of medical equipment (Fahrudin Solak, Director of the FBiH Civil Protection Administration, was the proponent).

The FBiH Civil Protection procured ventilators, model: ACM812A manufacturer: Beijing Aerospace Changfeng c.o. Ltd. China, worth cca five million EUR. The ventilator have the CE marking and certificates, required by the EU and used around the world.

The use of ventilators is impeded by a shortcoming in the legal procedure which requires verification of the ventilators despite the fact that they have all the necessary certificates that are applicable in the EU. The use of ventilators also requires qualified medical personnel. Hence, the aforementioned indicates that Prime Minister Novalić is in no way connected with or responsible for this specific procurement. Nevertheless, the Office of the Prosecutor did not investigate the responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister Jelka Milićević in her capacity as the Finance Minister and the president of the Civil Protection Administration. Had the Deputy Prime Minister/ Finance Minister Milićević established or suspected any irregularities in the procurement of the ventilators she could have suspended or dispute financial payment for procurement of the ventilators.

However, the story behind the “ventilators” case is completely different. For quite some time already Prime Minister Novalić has been the target of political-mafia structures, primarily in the FBiH. The success of the FBiH Government, that is Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, is comparable to the successes of the Government of the Republic of Serbia headed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić (SNS) and/or Government of North Macedonia headed by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (SDSM).

FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalić’s work has earned him strong support of influential international circles. In fact, his successes have led to a conflict between Prime Minister Novalić and politico-mafia structures. Namely, Prime Minister Novalić had stopped the plunder of the aluminum manufacturing company Aluminij d.d. Mostar, is trying to impose taxes on various kinds of betting shops which for years already have been avoiding to pay dozens of millions of Euros into the budget and instead pay a “sponsorship racket fee” to the political party of the Croat Democratic Union (HDZBiH), that is its leader Dragan Čović. The above explains why the orchestrated attacks on Prime Minister Novalić and his closest associates are continuing, why attempts are made to produce new affairs and force him to resign and step down from the political scene.

Furthermore, activities of the lobby in the FBiH defense industry, which is connected with the shareholders of the UNIS GINEX d.d. factory from Goražde and their cronies, aimed against Prime Minister Novalić were also noted. Novalić in cooperation with the relevant FBiH Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Nermin Džindić, Prime Minister thwarted the intentions of the respective interest group to appropriate a part of the profit for themselves – to the detriment of the company and other shareholders, particularly the FBiH as a shareholder/co-owner of the company. The same interest group had some expectations from Prime Minister Novalić regarding some appointments, which he did not meet. The same group also has influence on the legal entity that is authorized to verify the ventilators and now manipulates the public in relation to the aforementioned ventilators. The wife of one of the members of this interest group is employed as a high ranking “foreigner” in the EU Delegation in Sarajevo. In fact, she used her influence to ensure that the last EU report (which she had personally prepared) incorporates the part on influence on the judiciary and expresses discontent with the decision to grant provisional release to Novalić.

Prime Minister Novalić was “spectacularly” arrested on 29 May 2020 at the order of the BiH Office of the Prosecutor. He was put into a 68-hour detention, although there was no justified reason or legal basis for such a thing, bearing in mind that Novalić, as the FBiH Prime Minister, is available and at disposal for all information regarding the case in question. He could have normally given a statement in the premises of the BiH Office of the Prosecutor or his office. The question to be asked is why the BiH Office of the Prosecutor had not launched an investigation against Prime Minister Radovan Višković (SNSD) regarding the procurement of medical equipment in the entity of Republika Srpska? At the time of emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, no other case of arrest of a prime minister regarding procurement of medical equipment has been recorded. In example, in Slovenia the public had openly criticized and accused Prime Minister Janez Janša (SDS/EPP) in relation to the intransparent public procurement of medical equipment worth cca 250 million EUR. However, according to available information, it is not known that any investigation had been initiated against him, let alone that Prime Minister Janša had been arrested.

The complexity of this scenario is reflected through the fact that this interest group is closely connected with some groups in the HDZ BiH, some Bosniak interest groups, and the security-intelligence service from the neighborhood whose agents are intensively operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is expected that the “crown” of their activities will “surface” at the upcoming local elections in the city of Mostar, scheduled to take place on 20 December 2020.

The investigation revealed that the FBIH Deputy Prime Minister Jelka Miličević (HDZ BiH) is also connected with the interest group from UNIS GINEX d.d. Goražde. For some unknown reasons, she is keeping the Non-Project Grant Aid funds from Japan, totaling around 34 million EUR in a bank that is on the verge of collapse and whose co-owner is also a member of the same interest group. An inevitable question is why has no investigation been launched against Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Milićević, who was only interviewed as a witness in the respective case, despite the fact that she is also the President of the FBiH Civil Protection Headquarters, which procured the aforementioned ventilators.

While the affairs that shake the entity of the Federation of BiH definitely have to get their investigative epilogue it is surprising that all the current affairs in the FBiH are processed or attempted to be processed at the state level by the BiH Office of the Prosecutor?

Not long ago Member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik (SNSD) stated at a session of the Republika Srpska National Assembly that he was involved in wiretapping of the opposition. Dodik also stated that he personally had agreed the purchase of the mobile hospital which is at an unknown location abroad and has never been installed, and for which the BiH Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices had not previously issued an approval for import. However, such statements of his have never been look into or investigated.

In the entity of Republika Srpska affairs either “do not exist” or do not get their epilogue in court. Not even those that should be investigated ex officio by the BiH Office of the Prosecutor.

The Civil Initiative Center (CCI) warned in its report that in the report period from 2015-2018 in Republika Srpska, specifically during Milorad Dodik’s mandate as the Republika Srpska President, 76% of subjects of audit did not apply legal and other regulations with respect to budget funds amounting to around 87 million EUR.

Priebe also prepared the report titled „The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Assessment and recommendations of the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues 2017“[5] in which he had detected and analyzed in detail the situation in the Macedonian judiciary and insinuated the possibility of prosecution of judges and prosecutors with respect to abuse of office in relation to framing of indictments and other illegal actions, which essentially could also be applied on judges and prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In example, eight female/male prosecutors have already been detected as candidates who in the future reform of the judiciary (vetting process) under the auspices of the EU could be permanently banned from holding a judicial position and the issue of their criminal responsibility could be raised.

BiH Office of the Prosecutor’s media plan against Fadil Novalić

The history of staged and framed indictments by the BiH Office of the Prosecutor has a long tradition. In fact, the analysts have dubbed indictments of the kind as “instructed indictments.”

The “instructed indictment” that resonated the most was the one issued against the then FBiH President Živko Budimir (HSP), which ended in a judicial fiasco. Budimir was spectacularly arrested in his office on 26 April 2013 in a performance staged for the public. Budimir was later acquitted of all charges, but removed from the political scene, which was the main goal of the order-givers.

On the other side, the BiH Office of the Prosecutor has never finalized the investigation into the abuses related to construction of the administrative center of the Government of the Republika Srpska in Banja Luka, announcement of the illegal referendum on secession, undermining of the constitutional order, etc. At the same time, processing of war crimes is of peripheral importance for the BiH Office of the Prosecutor, as Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, constantly warns in his reports to the UN Security Council.

Analysts believe that a point of concern is also the fact that the BiH Office of the Prosecutor has a media plan how to implement a media campaign with respect to the “Prime Minister Novalić” case, which is why it is important that the investigation in this case gets supervised and monitored by the US Embassy, OSCE, EU and other institutions dealing with investigations into abuses in the judiciary.

International institute IFIMES has beginning with the monitoring of the “Prime Minister Novalić” case, because this case could be the turning point in the fight against judicial mafia in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its exposure, and will regularly inform the public on the issue.

Ljubljana/Brussels/Sarajevo/Banja Luka, 30 November 2020

Footnotes:

[1] IFIMES – International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Slovenia,has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)/UN since 2018.

[2] Source: Experts’ report on Rule of Law issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, http://europa.ba/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ExpertReportonRuleofLawissuesinBosniaandHerzegovina.pdf

[3] Source: Third Annual Report On Judicial Response To Corruption: The Impunity Syndrome, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/e/471003.pdf

[4] Recommendations of the Venice Commission (2012 and 2014); the adoption of a new Law on HJPC is also part of the Recommendations of Commission’s Opinion and the Analytical Report.

[5] Source: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Assessment and recommendations of the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues 2017, link: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/2017.09.14_seg_report_on_systemic_rol_issues_for_publication.pdf

For over 17 years, fugitive oligarch Viktor Kožený has been evading Czech and American authorities in the Bahamas for allegedly defrauding investors of billions of crowns.

During the massive transfers of Czech wealth in the early 90s following the collapse of communism, Kožený and his company Harvard Capital and Consulting ensnared many people wanting to get in on the emerging markets of the Czech Republic.

In 1990, Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed a new law that opened up previously state-owned companies to the public, allowing anyone to buy shares. This caused a frenzy of new capital flows which were then taken advantage of Viktor Kožený, offering to manage money for people who wanted to invest in the new market.

It’s unclear how much of Kožený’s clients’ money actually ended up being invested in anything other than his luxurious villas, glitzy parties, and his rockstar lifestyle. Eventually, investors and authorities caught on to Kožený, and before the law could catch up to him, fled to the Bahamas with his fortune where he’s been since 2003.

A long and fruitless trial has been waging in Prague’s District 2 court to attempt to compensate the victims. On November 15, the courts revealed that out of the 20 billion Kč lost to Kožený, only 100 million Kč was found, and they wouldn’t even be able to give it to the victims.

Viktor Kožený, 57, faces 10 years in prison from the Czech Republic, and 20 years in prison from the United States. According to him, most of his money has already dissipated from 3 divorces, though this has yet to be confirmed. Once known as the “Pirate of Prague”, Kožený is likely to live out the rest of his days on a Caribbean island.

In 2009, he told Bloomberg: “I feel a bit like Napoleon banished to St. Helena.”

Author: Alex Richardson

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