DOCSLIB.ORG

The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy TOWARD GEORGIA, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Baltic States

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy TOWARD GEORGIA, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Baltic States THe “HUMANITARIAN DIMENSION” OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY TOWARD GEORGIA, MOLDOVA, UKRAINE, AND THE BALTIC StATES The 2nd, supplementary edition Riga, 2010 EDK: 327(470) The 2nd, supplementary edition Hu 451 This book is work of six think tanks from Baltic States, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Centre for East European Policy Studies (Latvia) had a leading role in the im- plementation of this research project. Contributors include the International Centre for Defence Studies (Estonia), the Centre for Geopolitical Studies (Lithuania), the School for Policy Analysis at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Ukraine), the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova (Moldova), and the International Centre for Geopolitical Studies (Georgia). The research project was implemented with the support of the Konrad Ad- enauer Foundation and of the East - East: Partnership Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation – Latvia. Editor: Gatis Pelnēns Project Director: Andis Kudors Authors of the study: Juhan Kivirähk, Nerijus Maliukevičius, Dmytro Kon- dratenko, Olexandr Yeremeev, Radu Vrabie, Nana Devdariani, Mariam Tsatsanash- vili, Nato Bachiashvili, Tengiz Pkhaladze, Gatis Pelnēns, Andis Kudors, Mārtiņš Pa- parinskis, Ainārs Dimants, Ainārs Lerhis. English translation editor: Rihards Kalniņš Design of the cover and layout: Toms Deģis © Authors of the study (text), 2010 © Centre for East European Policy Studies, International Centre for Defence Studies, Centre for Geopolitical Studies, School for Policy Analysis at the National university of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Foreign Policy Association of Moldova, Interna- tional Centre for Geopolitical Studies, 2010 © SIA Apgāds Mantojums (design concept), 2010 ISBN: 978-9984-39-989-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface to Second Edition . 8 4.4.2. Russian Support of Compatriots Living in Lithuania . 195 Foreword . 10 4.4.3. Consular Issues of the Russian Foreign Policy in Lithuania . 202 Introduction . 14 4.4.4. Culture, Education. 204 Methodology . 16 4.4.5. Russian Mass Media in Lithuania . 209 4.5. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Moldova 213 1. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy: 4.5.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Moldova . 214 Meaning and Background . 20 4.5.2. Russian Compatriots Policy in Moldova . 220 1.1. Opening the Box: Elements of the “Humanitarian Trend”. 22 4.5.3. Consular Issues of Russian Foreign Policy in Moldova . 226 1.2. Making Ideas Work: the Provision of Resources for Foreign Policy . 27 4.5.4. Culture, Education. 230 1.3. Inputs and Outputs: the “Humanitarian Trend” and its Targets . 28 4.5.5. Russian Mass Media in Moldova: General Aspects and Trends . 238 4.6. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Ukraine. 247 2. The “Humanitarian Dimension” and Russian Foreign Policy. 30 4.6.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Ukraine. 248 4.6.2. Russian Compatriots Policy in Ukraine. 254 3. Imagining an Image: Soft Power in the “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian 4.6.3. Consular Issues of the Russian Foreign Policy in Ukraine . 265 Foreign Policy . 38 4.6.4. Culture . 276 4.6.5. Russian Policy in Education and Science in Ukraine . 284 4. Case Studies . 51 4.6.6. Russian Mass Media in Ukraine . 293 4.1. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Estonia . 51 4.1.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Estonia . 52 5. Comparison . 298 4.1.2. “Compatriots” as a Tool of Russian Foreign Policy in Estonia . 64 5.1. Russian Human Rights Practice. 298 4.1.3. Consular Issues of Russian Foreign Policy in Estonia . 77 5.2. Russian Compatriots Policy . 301 4.1.4. Culture, Education. 82 5.3. Consular Issues . 306 4.1.5. Mass Media: Consumption and Confidence . 90 5.4. Culture and Education . 309 4.2. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Georgia. 97 5.5. Russian Mass Media . 312 4.2.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Georgia . 98 4.2.2. Russian Compatriots Policy in Georgia . 113 Conclusions . 316 4.2.3. Consular Issues of Russian Foreign Policy in Georgia. 120 Bibliography . 331 4.2.4. Culture . 128 Partner Organizations . 351 4.2.5. Education . 130 Notes on Authors . 353 4.2.6. Russian Mass Media in Georgia . 135 4.3. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Latvia . 139 4.3.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Latvia . 140 Tables 4.3.2. Russian Compatriots Policy in Latvia . 155 4.3.3. Consular Issues of Russian Foreign Policy in Latvia. 163 Table No. 1. Design of the Empirical Study . 17 4.3.4. Culture, Education. 171 Table No. 2. Television Channel Audiences Among Russian-Language View- 4.3.5. Russian Mass Media in Latvia . 182 ers October-November 2008. 93 4.4. The “Humanitarian Dimension” of Russian Foreign Policy in Lithuania . 193 Table No. 3. The Estonian Russian-Language Population’s Confidence in 4.4.1. Russian Human Rights Practice 2006–2008: Lithuania . 194 the Media . 95 Table No. 4. Russian propaganda material designed to spread official version of history . 200 Table No. 5. Ability to communicate in different languages among various groups of Lithuanian society (in percent) . 206 Table No. 6. Ability to understand different languages among various groups of Lithuanian society (in percent) . 206 Table No. 7. The Traditional Religious Denominations of the Byzantine Tradition in Ukraine . 281 Table No. 8. Satisfaction of Educational Needs of Russians in Ukraine and Ukrai- nians in Russia (academic year 2008/2009) . 290 Russia should be regarded as a toll of influence by “soft power” that does undermine national security in any direct way. Even more, promotion of culture, in context of PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION this study, should be regarded as less threatening than other elements of “humanitar- ian trend”. There are always those who overestimate importance and scope of events on- Second edition of this book, does not provide conceptually new approaches or going around them. There are also those, who underestimate such events or do not overall update of the empirical study. However, some important details are clarified realize the extent of their scope. Most of the researchers would like to assume, that and minor technical details precised. their approach to assessing such events is somewhere in-between! We, the authors of this research, share the same belief, while recognizing, that we are not just a passive Editor, Gatis Pelnēns observers that highlighten certain trends in environment around us, but also partici- pants of debate on Russia’s policies and its influence on our countries. Not a long time has passed since publication of the first edition of this study at the October of last year. However, a need for an update was obvious when research was discussed in book presentation seminars. There were five seminars held altogeth- er to discuss the results of this study – one in each of the „target countries” (Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia). Discussions in seminars allowed us to assess the conceptual framework, that has been chosen as a basis of this study and apply particular cases of “humanitarian” actions to trends in domestic politics of each country. Presentations and discussions also gained attention from media that helped to promote general ideas of the study and highlightened the most sensitive issues for each country. In general, discussions gave positive review on research in all countries. How- ever, certain issues were addressed that show the complexity of our work and two of those in particular should be explained to the reader before entering the study. One of the issues was pointing on incoherent nature of Russia and its Foreign policy. It was argued, that Russia’s foreign policy is not as comprehensive and intentional as portrayed in our study, because there are also other actors than official policy makers that shape actions of “humanitarian trend” and there are a lot of actions taken by ac- cident rather than rational implementation of policy directions. On the one hand, we can agree on such argument for it calls for further analysis of Russia’s domestic policy factors influencing “humanitarian trend” of its foreign policy. On the other hand, however, we would like to note, that analysis of the official level of policy formula- tion and implementation was chosen exactly for the purpose to avoid fragmentized overview of domestic factors and their role. As it was noted, another study would be required to reveal those actors and aspects of Russia’s domestic policy that shape its foreign policy decisions and implementation. Therefore, we have chosen an official policy of Russian Federation as a focal point of this study as [at least] a first step to explore its sources and implications. The other issue was highlightened by media regarding significance of Russian culture in our study. We were faced with a problem that Russian culture was por- trayed as a threat by media and given a decisive role in Russia’s attempts to spread its influence. However, we do not refer directly to the issues of national security when revealing Russia’s cultural influence. It must be noted, that promotion of culture by 8 9 public (R.S.F.S.R.), suffered from the Kremlin dictate. The refusal of the Kremlin to comply with these requirements resulted in many centrifugal tendencies which led to FOREWORD the collapse of the U.S.S.R. To some extent, along with economic factors and other reasons, this was a re- “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. sponse to decades-long Soviet policy of Russification of all non-Russian republics. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But (In spite of official Soviet ideology of equal rights for all peoples, Russification was I refuse to be blown off my feet by any”.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Russian Men's Ice Hockey Championship. Season 2018
    KONTINENTAL HOCKEY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP – RUSSIAN MEN’S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON 2018/2019 CALENDAR MOSCOW 2018 Participating teams Conference WEST BOBROV DIVISION TARASOV DIVISION DINAMO RIGA CSKA MOSCOW Republic of Latvia Russian Federation HC DYNAMO MOSCOW DINAMO MINSK Russian Federation Republic of Belarus JOKERIT HELSINKI HC SOCHI SOCHI Republic of Finland Russian Federation SEVERSTAL CHEREPOVETS LOKOMOTIV YAROSLAVL Russian Federation Russian Federation SKA SAINT PETERSBURG SLOVAN BRATISLAVA Russian Federation Slovak Republic SPARTAK MOSCOW VITYAZ MOSCOW REGION Russian Federation Russian Federation Conference EAST KHARLAMOV DIVISION CHERNYSHEV DIVISION AVTOMOBILIST YEKATERINBURG ADMIRAL VLADIVOSTOK Russian Federation Russian Federation AK BARS KAZAN AMUR KHABAROVSK Russian Federation Russian Federation METALLURG MAGNITOGORSK AVANGARD OMSK REGION Russian Federation Russian Federation NEFTEKHIMIK NIZHNEKAMSK BARYS ASTANA Russian Federation Republic of Kazakhstan TORPEDO NIZHNY NOVGOROD KUNLUN RED STAR BEIJING Russian Federation People's Republic of China TRAKTOR CHELYABINSK SALAVAT YULAEV UFA Russian Federation Russian Federation SIBIR NOVOSIBIRSK REGION Russian Federation 2 STAGE 1 (REGULAR SEASON) September 1, 2018, Saturday 1 Ak Bars SKA September 2, 2018, Sunday 2 Avtomobilist Dinamo R 3 Metallurg Mg Slovan 4 Traktor CSKA 5 Lokomotiv Avangard 6 Severstal Sibir 7 HC Dynamo M Salavat Yulaev September 3, 2018, Monday 8 Ak Bars Dinamo Mn 9 Neftekhimik Vityaz 10 Torpedo SKA 11 Spartak Amur 12 HC Sochi Admiral 13 Jokerit Kunlun
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Rehabilitation Works Issue 2 March 2009 a Unique Initiative
    Economic Rehabilitation Works Issue 2 March 2009 A unique initiative When launching the Economic Rehabilitation Programme, the Sides* of the conflict settlement process agreed unanimously that projects for the economic rehabilitation of the conflict zone (and adjacent areas) would provide an effective mechanism for confidence-building and, ultimately, for a resolution of the conflict. It was also understood that economic rehabilitation could: • create opportunities for developing regional trade and transit, using the potential of the Trans Caucasian Highway (TRANSCAM) • improve the investment climate • help strengthen peace and security in the whole region. The first milestone in developing the programme came in November 2005, when the OSCE Mission to Georgia launched a major new initiative – a Needs Assessment Study. This yielded a mutually-agreed list of urgent projects for socio-economic infrastructure in the zone of conflict and surrounding areas. The international community responded to this initiative by funding the study, and by pledging – at a specially convened conference in Brussels in June 2006 – some €8 million for implementation of the projects upon which the Sides agreed. Once established, the programme enjoyed some important successes, particularly on the ground with communities. However the deteriorating political and security situation created a very challenging environment, and the outbreak of fighting in August had a severely adverse effect on the programme. After ERP assessment of the circumstances of farmers and SMEs in accessible communities the donors wished to continue with economic rehabilitation in the area. At this stage, access for all involved communities, as originally envisaged for the ERP, was impossible. Therefore as an effective interim solution, the Transitional Economic Rehabilitation Programme (TERP) was launched.
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Business in Georgia: 2015 Country Commercial Guide for U.S
    Doing Business in Georgia: 2015 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2010. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. • Chapter 1: Doing Business In Georgia • Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment • Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services • Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment • Chapter 5: Trade Regulations, Customs and Standards • Chapter 6: Investment Climate • Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing • Chapter 8: Business Travel • Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events • Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services Chapter 1: Doing Business in Georgia • Market Overview • Market Challenges • Market Opportunities • Market Entry Strategy Market Overview Return to top Market Overview Georgia is a small transitional market economy of 3.7 million people with a per capita GDP of $3,681 (2014). Georgia is located at the crossroads between Europe and Central Asia and has experienced economic growth over the past twelve years. In June 2014, Georgia signed an Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the European Union. Through reduced tariffs and the removal of technical barriers to entry, the DCFTA gives Georgian products access to over 500 million people in the EU. Reciprocally, products from the EU now enjoy easier access to the Georgian market. Following the launch of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission (SPC) in 2009, the U.S. Department of State holds regular meetings with its Georgian counterparts across various working groups. One of these dialogues is the Economic, Energy, and Trade Working Group which aims to coordinate Georgia’s strategy for development in these areas and to explore ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation.
    [Show full text]
  • Report, on Municipal Solid Waste Management in Georgia, 2012
    R E P O R T On Municipal Solid Waste Management in Georgia 2012 1 1 . INTRODUCTION 1.1. FOREWORD Wastes are one of the greatest environmental chal- The Report reviews the situation existing in the lenges in Georgia. This applies both to hazardous and do- field of municipal solid waste management in Georgia. mestic wastes. Wastes are disposed in the open air, which It reflects problems and weak points related to munic- creates hazard to human’s health and environment. ipal solid waste management as related to regions in Waste represents a residue of raw materials, semi- the field of collection, transportation, disposal, and re- manufactured articles, other goods or products generat- cycling. The Report also reviews payments/taxes re- ed as a result of the process of economic and domestic lated to the waste in the country and, finally, presents activities as well as consumption of different products. certain recommendations for the improvement of the As for waste management, it generally means distribu- noted field. tion of waste in time and identification of final point of destination. It’s main purpose is reduction of negative impact of waste on environment, human health, or es- 1.2. Modern Approaches to Waste thetic condition. In other words, sustainable waste man- Management agement is a certain practice of resource recovery and reuse, which aims to the reduction of use of natural re- The different waste management practices are ap- sources. The concept of “waste management” includes plied to different geographical or geo-political locations. the whole cycle from the generation of waste to its final It is directly proportional to the level of economic de- disposal.
    [Show full text]
  • USA Hockey Latvia (0-0-0-1) Vs
    Contact: Team USa Game Notes Dave Fischer 2013 IIHF Men’s World Championship • Helsinki, Finland Sr. Director, Communications USA Hockey Latvia (0-0-0-1) vs. USA (1-0-0-0) [email protected] Sunday, May 5, 2013 • 8:15 p.m. • Preliminary Round 011 44 754 571 8194 • TONIGHT’S GAME -- The United States and Latvia meet tonight in the second game for both teams at the 77th annual IIHF Men’s World 2013 IIHF Men’s World Championship Championship. Team USA overcame an early two-goal deficit to turn Team USA Schedule back Austria by a 5-3 count yesterday, while Latvia dropped a 6-0 decision to Russia. Team Preliminary Round -- Helsinki Time/Result USA has won seven of its 10 Saturday, May 4 meetings against Latvia at USA vs. Austria W, 5-3 this event. The last meeting between the two teams Sunday, May 5 came at the 2009 IIHF Men’s Latvia vs. USA 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. World Championship, with Tuesday, May 7 Team USA prevailing by a 4- Russia vs. USA 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. 2 count. The game summary from that contest is below. Wednesday, May 8 USA vs. Finland 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. April 25, 2009—at PostFinance Arena • Bern, Switzerland (7,840) Saturday, May 11 USA vs. France 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m. United States (h) 121—4 Latvia (v) 110—2 Sunday, May 12 USA vs. Germany 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN REPORT on the Free Movement of Workers in Europe in 2012-2013
    EUROPEAN REPORT on the Free Movement of Workers in Europe in 2012-2013 Rapporteurs: Prof. Kees Groenendijk, Prof. Elspeth Guild, Dr. Ryszard Cholewinski, Dr. Helen Oosterom-Staples, Dr. Paul Minderhoud, Sandra Mantu and Bjarney Fridriksdottir February 2014 (includes Member States' comments in annex) 1 CONTENTS Executive Summary 3 General introduction 5 Chapter I The Worker: Entry, Residence, Departure and Remedies 13 Chapter II Members of a Worker’s Family 38 Chapter III Access to Employment: Private sector and Public sector 69 Chapter IV Equality of Treatment on the Basis of Nationality 79 Chapter V Other Obstacles to Free Movement 101 Chapter VI Specific Issues 103 Chapter VII Application of Transitional Measures 117 Chapter VIII Miscellaneous 126 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FREE MOVEMENT OF WORKERS 2012-2013 2013 is an important year in the history of EU free movement of workers as it marks the end of transitional restrictions on free movement of workers for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania. This has impacts in only nine Member States which are still applying restrictions.1 Equally, 2013 is an enlargement year with Croatia joining the EU on 1 July. Thirteen Member States are applying transitional restrictions on Croatian workers.2 Although there are substantial differences in unemployment rates between the Member States as a result of the economic situation, these unemployment rates do not appear to be a determining factor in the application of transitional restrictions on Croatian workers. For instance, Ireland and Portugal where there are relatively high unemployment levels have not applied restrictions. Although the interior ministries of four Member States (Austria, Germany, the Nether- lands and the UK) expressed concern about their social costs in respect of EU workers from other Member States in a letter to the Presidency, none of the ministries followed up these concerns with evidence of a problem, when so requested by the Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Report Estonia an Entry Point Into the EU Labour Market
    Co-funded by the European Union FONDAZIONE ISMU INIZIATIVE E STUDI SULLA MULTIETNICITÀ Country Report Estonia An Entry Point into the EU Labour Market by Tiit Tammaru , Eneli Kindsiko, Kristina Kallas, Rebekka Vedina, Kristiina Kamenik and Maaja Vadi 2015 1 Co-funded by the European Union COUNTRY REPORT ESTONIA An Entry Point into the EU Labour Market By Tiit Tammaru (country co-ordinator), Eneli Kindsiko, Kristina Kallas, Rebekka Vedina, Kristiina Kamenik and Maaja Vadi University of Tartu Estonia Country Report – An Entry Point into the EU Labour Market 2 Estonia Country Report – An Entry Point into the EU Labour Market 3 Co-funded by the European Union The European approach to immigration is traditionally characterized by a sort of “schizophrenia”, generated by the attempt to keep together two contradictory philosophies: the “economicistic” philosophy on which the system of entry (and stay) is regulated and the philosophy of solidarity and equal opportunities. To overcome this paradox, three major changes are necessary: shifting from the perception of migrants as contingently instrumental resources to the conception of their human capital as a structural resource for the economic and social development of European societies by exploiting their skills, knowledges and competences (hereafter SKC); promoting a wider awareness, among different types of organizations (profit, non-profit and public), of the importance and potentialities of Diversity Management strategies; improving the social participation and the civic and voluntary engagement of Third Country Nationals (hereafter TCNs) in view of the construction of an inclusive European society and in order to change the common perception of immigrants as people needing to be helped and assisted.
    [Show full text]
  • Maryland Line 2013, State Partnership Edition
    THE State Partnership Edition MarylandLINE Celebrating 20 Years with Estonia Celebrating 10 Years with Bosnia and Herzegovina OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARYLAND MILITARY DEPARTMENT Inside this issue: 8 6 9 12 10 LINE 18 22 16 20 Feature Stories Capt. Adolphus Houck makes his way across a northern Estonia waterfall during the Erna Raid 2007 competition in norther 14tests Soldiers’ skills and endurance over six grueling days of competition. 6 Maryland celebrates 12 4 Maryland Guard partners with LINE partnerships: Estonia & Bosnia and Herzegovina On The Bosnia and Herzegovina for peace, security 8 State of Maryland signs 10 Estonian Air Force pilots Memorandum with Estonia deploy with Maryland 9 Adjutant General Hosts Bosnian On the cover: National Guard Deputy Minister of Defense 12 Maryland Guard trains Maryland 16 The Forgotten Front Estonian Air Force pilots 13 Estonian Border Guard 20 Special Forces in Estonia Cross of Merit 24 State Partnership Program THE 22 Sabre Strike 2013 Governor: Contributors: Martin O’Malley Lt. Col. Charles Kohler 1st Lt. Kristofer Baumgartner Maj. Wade Minami A Maryland Army National Guard Sol- Adjutant General: dier sight opposing forces during the Capt. Joseph Winter Erna Raid 2007 military event in north- Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins Military Department 2nd Lt. Jessica Donnelly ern Estonia Aug. 9, 2007. Maryland National Guard Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Harrington Public Affairs Office Staff Sgt. John Higgins The Ambassador and BiH Minister Design & Layout: Fifth Regiment Armory Spc. Loni Kingston of Defense signed a Memorandum of 29th Division St. Understanding confirming continued Assembled from past Baltimore, Md. 21201 Spc Kieth Muckler (AF) Staff Sgt.
    [Show full text]
  • Euromosaic III Touches Upon Vital Interests of Individuals and Their Living Conditions
    Research Centre on Multilingualism at the KU Brussel E U R O M O S A I C III Presence of Regional and Minority Language Groups in the New Member States * * * * * C O N T E N T S Preface INTRODUCTION 1. Methodology 1.1 Data sources 5 1.2 Structure 5 1.3 Inclusion of languages 6 1.4 Working languages and translation 7 2. Regional or Minority Languages in the New Member States 2.1 Linguistic overview 8 2.2 Statistic and language use 9 2.3 Historical and geographical aspects 11 2.4 Statehood and beyond 12 INDIVIDUAL REPORTS Cyprus Country profile and languages 16 Bibliography 28 The Czech Republic Country profile 30 German 37 Polish 44 Romani 51 Slovak 59 Other languages 65 Bibliography 73 Estonia Country profile 79 Russian 88 Other languages 99 Bibliography 108 Hungary Country profile 111 Croatian 127 German 132 Romani 138 Romanian 143 Serbian 148 Slovak 152 Slovenian 156 Other languages 160 Bibliography 164 i Latvia Country profile 167 Belorussian 176 Polish 180 Russian 184 Ukrainian 189 Other languages 193 Bibliography 198 Lithuania Country profile 200 Polish 207 Russian 212 Other languages 217 Bibliography 225 Malta Country profile and linguistic situation 227 Poland Country profile 237 Belorussian 244 German 248 Kashubian 255 Lithuanian 261 Ruthenian/Lemkish 264 Ukrainian 268 Other languages 273 Bibliography 277 Slovakia Country profile 278 German 285 Hungarian 290 Romani 298 Other languages 305 Bibliography 313 Slovenia Country profile 316 Hungarian 323 Italian 328 Romani 334 Other languages 337 Bibliography 339 ii PREFACE i The European Union has been called the “modern Babel”, a statement that bears witness to the multitude of languages and cultures whose number has remarkably increased after the enlargement of the Union in May of 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • INSTRUCTIONS for FOCUS TOPIC of CULTURAL HOLIDAY Estonian Culture Is Extensive and Deep, and Has Through the Ages Reached High Levels During Its Peak Moments
    “Introduce Estonia” sub-strategy for tourism INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOCUS TOPIC OF CULTURAL HOLIDAY Estonian culture is extensive and deep, and has through the ages reached high levels during its peak moments. It is impossible to visit Estonia without encountering the local culture. Many things that seem regular and daily to us might be very interesting and exciting cultural phenomena for bystanders. It is our task to find these and make them work for all of us. In order to illustrate positive messages we should find vivid and surprising facts and details, using the principle of contrast to accentuate them. For example, contradictions could be the medieval buildings of Tallinn Old Town offering modern culinary and entertainment culture and wireless Internet, or high culture events taking place basically in the middle of nowhere (Leigo, Nargen Opera, Viinistu). This is a fruitful approach as contradiction and contrast is one of the pervading and essential elements of the so called Estonian thing. On one hand our habits and culture are individualistic, people needing a lot of personal space (e.g. low density areas of farms), on the other hand gaining independence through massive events (Song Festivals, The Singing Revolution, The Baltic Way). As Estonian culture is such a broad concept, the suitable symbols for generating a message are divided into four focus topics: A ARCHITECTURE B TRADITIONAL CULTURE C MODERN CULTURE D CUISINE Depending on the target audience you can choose the most suitable of these or combine several topics. Arguments: Culture can be FOUND both in cities and rural areas. It is impossible to travel in Estonia without encountering the local culture.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Coe Presidency
    Issue no: 1207 • NOV 29 - DEC 2, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Risks of Draft Amendments to FOCUS Law on Information Security ON THE COE NEWS PAGE 3 PRESIDENCY Economic Policy Research The Presidency of the Council Center Celebrates 17 Years of Europe Committee of Ministers this week passed POLITICS PAGE 4 from France to Georgia PAGE 2 The US & the Black Sea: A Troublesome Year Ahead POLITICS PAGE 4 The Streetwise Political Dictate POLITICS PAGE 6 38% of FDIs Attracted by Georgia in 2010-2018 Come from Offshore Countries BUSINESS PAGE 7 Opposition Vows the Protests Will Stop If Gov't Two Decades in Georgia Agrees to German Model of Elections SOCIETY PAGE 8 Venue of the Week: Skola BY ANA DUMDADZE Coffee & Wine Bar SOCIETY PAGE 9 espite the fact that representatives of opposition and civil activists continue demonstrations in front of the parliament building in Geor- ‘Batumi in Cinema’: a gia’s capital Tbilisi, the government Dhas said it does not intend to change its position Retraining Program for the on replacing a mixed electoral system with a proportional one for the 2020 elections. City Guides Begins "The topic is closed. A mixed electoral system will be kept in 2020," Kakha Kaladze, the ruling CULTURE PAGE 11 Image source: France24 party's Secretary-General, said in a statement made at the Georgian Dream headquarters. opposition. Secondly, it is clear to all that, given parliamentary elections or the 2021 local self- He emphasized that members of the ruling the moods of the parliamentary majority, there government elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Identities and Attitudes of Migrants Originating from Post-Soviet “Frozen Conflict” Areas
    REFLECTING ON EUROPE’S (DIS)ORDER: SCENARIOS FOR THE EU’S FUTURE | EURINT 2018 NO LANDS’ PEOPLE: IDENTITIES AND ATTITUDES OF MIGRANTS ORIGINATING FROM POST-SOVIET “FROZEN CONFLICT” AREAS Dorin DUSCIAC*, Clément BALOGE**, Roman URSU*** Abstract The collapse of USSR in late 1980’s and the beginning of 1990’s was accompanied by a series of local and regional separatist movements that have rapidly burst out into local violent confrontations or civil wars, resulting in so-called “frozen conflicts” in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Georgia), Transnistria (Moldova) and others. Since 2014, the Eastern part of Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk regions) is undergoing a seemingly similar scenario. Large numbers of people originating from conflict zones have migrated to Western Europe in search for peace, better economic conditions and personal and professional accomplishment. How do these migrants identify themselves once settled in destination countries? How do they define their own “national identity”, as persons originating from unrecognized “States”? In this paper, we compare the cases of these separatist regions in an attempt to offer an insight into a new topic, situated at the confluence of migration studies, geopolitics and ethnology. Keywords: migration studies, frozen conflicts, separatism, international relations, national identity Introduction Migrants “are never allowed to be the individuals each person, dead or alive, actually is. It’s like we’re meant to think of migrants like clones, like each migrant is not a person, just a ‘migrant’” (Smith, 2015). Indeed, each migrant has her/his particular and interesting history that makes the individual different from others. Nevertheless, despite the different migrant’s personalities, the term identity is making reference to certain common conceptions shared by a group of people.
    [Show full text]