Sanctions and what’s next?
Alexander Lukashenko did not fulfil his promises that the December’s elections would be carried out in an honest way and, besides manipulations on the ballot box, he sent his opponents to prison after dealing brutally with the protesters. There is much evidence to suggest that the above scenario was prepared already many months earlier, and liberalization of relations between the authorities and the opposition inside of the country and friendly gestures towards the states and politicians of the European Union were merely a part of the game.
7 February 2011
Civil society in Ukraine
According to recent data from the world ranking, prepared every year by the Irish International Living, the living standards in Ukraine in 2010 declined from 68th to 73rd position (the comparison includes 194 countries). It is mainly the effect of the economic crisis. The costs of living in Ukraine are much higher than in the USA, and even in Poland. In spite of it in comparison with Russia, which has much greater economic potential, the 73rd place of Ukraine does not seem to be so bad. Since Russia in this ranking occupies a remote 118th place and Belarus ranks 142. In the case of both these countries the low position results mainly from lack of freedom of speech and civil liberties. Also Freedom House classified Ukraine in 2010 as a country where the freedom level decreased, while Russia and Belarus, along with Iran, China, Venezuela and Egypt were regarded as authoritarian countries.
26 January 2011
BP’s contract with Rosneft – reasons, chances, risks
The contract signed by BP – former British Petroleum – and Russian, state controlled concern Rosneft has become the major topic in world’s economic media last week. In the context of the signed contract it should be explained what were the motives driving both parties signing the contract, what it means respectively for BP and Rosneft; the United Kingdom and Russia, and one should also pay attention to the consequences of the contract for the global energy sector and specify the role of the contract for the security of Europe.
26 January 2011
German retreat from Afghanistan
On Wednesday, 12 January the federal government approved a draft bill on extending the mandate for Bundeswehra in Afghanistan. The draft contains the expression about the „beginning” of retreat of German troops from the mission in Afghanistan. These words led to a conflict between two important politicians of the coalition: Minister of Defence zu Guttenberg and Minister of Foreign Affairs Westerwelle, who belong to different parties – CDU and FDP.
14 January 2011
Dublin is drowning
For some time we did not hear any news about experiencing crisis Ireland. Silence could herald that the government of Brian Cowen would see finally the light at the end of the tunnel by applying budget cuts, buying out toxic banks’ assets from the market, downsizing dead on its feet, overgrown banking system. Nearly three weeks ago the silence was broken and a lively discussion sparked about financial aid. It seems alarming that the discussion was initiated externally, without any clear signals on the part of Ireland. A few top European officials, including the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, announced readiness to support “the green island” financially.
November 22, 2010
The visit of President Dmitrij Miedviediev to Poland. Suggestions for talks
The time of the first for nearly 9 years visit of the president of Russian Federation to Poland is coming. Certainly the offices of presidents, ministries of foreign affairs and embassies work intensely on the visit’s agenda and topics for bilateral talks. Therefore one can be surprised by the silence in the media, both Polish and Russian, in relation to this event. We remember years when visits of presidents and prime ministers of both countries were commented lively, and one visit of the Polish prime minister to Moscow deserved even a comment in the song of Kazik Staszewski…
November 22, 2010
France teaches Germany macroeconomics
Next to the discussion on the future of the European currency another debate is taking place: what is the common European strategy for development? In a recent interview for the British Financial Times the French Minister of Economy and Finance Christie Lagarde accused Germany of paying too much attention to exports and neglecting the development of the private consumption of households in the internal market. »
March 30, 2010
The global economic crisis has shown Chinese economy under a new light and has forced many analysts to redefine China’s position in the global economic system. It has also inspired politicians and commentators with a noble idea: the Chinese population has deserved to live better, more prosperously and to enjoy the pleasures of refined consumption. »
March 18, 2010
New European Union Strategy from German Perspective
On Wednesday 3. March Jose Manuel Barroso introduced a new strategy for the development of the European Union by 2020. This document was confronted with initial disapproval in Poland, but later gained somewhat more positive recognition. It is worth looking at this document and theses it presents from German perspective. »
March 18, 2010
The green colour of Baltic Sea waters, although may ring an ecological bell, is by no means a sign of the water’s cleanliness. On the contrary, it is a symptom of eutrophication – water looses its transparency, becomes turbid and blocked by heavy algae growth. »
March 16, 2010
The German economy has been considered for many years to be a locomotive of the European Union. Its conditions have always directly affected the state of other European economies. »
February 22, 2010
Russian oil flowed east. What about Friendship?
When, at the end of the last year, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opened the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (Vostochnaya-Sibir-Tikhiy-Okean, WSTO) pipeline, the first Russian oil tube running not to the West, but to the East, first Siberian oil flowed from the terminal in Kozmino to Hong Kong, following a contract that Rosneft had concluded with China. »
February 22, 2010
Changing geopolitics and gas infrastructure in Central Asia. China's role in the region.
Over the past few months, the gas system within the CIS has significantly changed, particularly in Central Asia. A major player, capable to manage its own resources, has emerged. »
January 15, 2010
After the election both in 2004 and in 2009 Traian Basescu implemented his first presidential visit to Chisinau, to the "Moldavian brothers". Almost a half of the Romanian Government accompanied him. »
January 15, 2010
The "subsidiarity principle" in the functioning of the European Union
Just before the appointment of the new European Commission, in Germany emerged a significant criticism against the present course of European politics. The importance of this criticism derives from the weight of the arguments. »
January 15, 2010
Spain sees place for Turkey in the European Union
Spain, which took over the presidency of the UE, believes that Turkey should join EU. Recent appointments of the EU "foreign minister" and "EU president" have put Spain, which have taken over the EU presidency, in a completely new situation. »
January 15, 2010
