European pulse E l e c t r o n i c m o n t h l y m a g a z i n e f o r E u r o p e a n i n t e g r a t i o n - N o . 2 9 , F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8

FFOOCCUUSS OOFF TTHHIISS IISSSSUUEE Uproar over the draft law on property rights: must Montenegro allow unbridled sale of land to foreigners?

IINNTTEERRVVIIEEWW Professor Dr Gordana \urovi}, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations

AANNAALLYYSSEESS Montenegro between Serbia, Kosovo and European politics C u r r e n t a f f a i r s F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8

O N 2 1 F E B R U A R Y I N P O D G O R I C A M O N T E N E G R O O P E N E D N E G O T I A T I O N S W I T H E U O N L I B E R A L I S A T I O N O F T H E V I S A R E G I M E Montenegro looking forward to the white Schengen list

FIFTH TIME LUCKY hen in September 2006, after an impres- Wsive victory in the parliamentary elections Milo \ukanovi} announced his withdrawal from public office, he explained that his main motive was his desire to rest, to try out his luck in business and to unburden public institutions, allowing them to mature and take responsibil- ities for their decisions without hiding behind his name. itizens of Montenegro may be able to that the dynamics pursued by the Monte- His allies claimed he had enough of every- Ctravel without visas to the 24 countries negrin governments will "shorten the negoti- thing, that he has no wish to suffer having to of the Schengen zone by the end of the ations" and that "in due time we will find a attend to every minute detail and that he wants year. This is the likely outcome of the nego- solution leading to visa-free travel regime". to see the state functioning without him. tiations between Montenegro and EU on [turanovi} said that Montenegrin insti- After a year and a half and after health visa free travel started on 21 February in tutions have been working on requirements problems forced Prime Minister @eljko [tura- novi} to resigned, it turned out the government Podgorica. for liberalising visa regime and creating cannot do without him. Some say that Vice president of the European conditions for visa-free travel between \ukanovi}'s return to office, for the fifth time Commission Franco Frattini who led the EC Montenegro and EU. in the last 17 years, was the only way to avoid delegation announced that Brussels would "The beginning of negotiations on visa- conflicts within Democratic Party of Socialists evaluate every West Balkan country individ- free travel between EU and Montenegro (DPS), as he is the only one who can com- ually in the course of negotiations, adding will bring new hope to our citizens who mand supreme authority among them. that Podgorica has achieved "substantial have lived for almost two decades, for well However, the fact that the "boss" is back is progress" in the areas relevant for this process. known reasons, in unnatural isolation from less important than what he will do there, how "We will evaluate every country indi- their natural environment - Europe", [tura- he envisaged to strengthen the weak public vidually, based on their merits. This is why I novi} said. institutions, accelerate EU accession process… For instance, it would be interesting to see am here today. I believe that Montenegro Minister of Foreign Affairs Milan Ro}en whether he will finally put forth a real law on achieved substantial progress and results, said that the beginning of the dialogue the prevention of the conflict of interests and such as the adoption of the new sends and important, encouraging message submit it to the Parliament for urgent consid- Constitution, fight against organised crime...", to all pro-European structures in Mon- eration. This could be one test of his readiness Frattini said. He opened the first dialogue on tenegro, primarily to the citizens who stand to serve the interests of his country, especially liberalisation of the visa regime between to benefit from this arrangement. considering that he currently owns three com- Montenegro and EU together with the out- Home Affairs Minister Jusuf Kalam- panies and a fortune of some 10 million euros going Prime Minister @eljko [turanovi}. perovi} said that "the relationship we have whose origin is at best murky. He added that Brussels' "roadmap" with the cabinets of Mate and Frattini will, Recent announcements from DPS indicate towards liberalization of the visa regime without undue discounts, help us fulfil all he will focus on strengthening the economy, new investments, development of the energy evaluates progress in four areas - ID securi- the requirements and liberalise the visa sector and the northern regions of Montenegro, ty, fight against illegal immigration, public regime by the end of the year". construction of the highway… security and criteria regarding foreign policy. He said that Frattini initiated the move Sounds great, especially when he promises "You have achieved significant results towards visa-free travel for the countries of that soon there will be no unemployment in in these areas", Fratini said, reminding that the Western Balkans and worked on it "with Montenegro. If it happens, he will have a good Montenegro will begin issuing new biomet- courage and dedication, and managed to reason to ask the citizens for another mandate ric passports and ID cards by late April. mobilise support from all EU states". to lead the Government in the 2009 parlia- Slovenian minister of home affairs Last October Montenegro and EU mentary elections. Dragutin Mate said that Montenegro "made signed the agreement on visa facilitations, But, is he good enough is Montenegro is much progress, steps towards reorganising envisaging simplified visa procedures for cer- still a society of a handful of powermongers with paper-institutions that sway as Milo and its constitutional system and adopting EU tain categories of citizens - scientists, entre- Milos' friends say. Equal rules for all or "mod- standards". preneurs, students, journalists, politicians... ern" feudalism?! Same dilemma for the fifth Mate, who arrived to Podgorica as a time. N.R. representative of EU presidency suggested N.R.

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A V I E W F R O M E U R O P E The future of European social democracy? traditional social democratic parties have longer defending them. found themselves squeezed from both Then there problems of perceptions: the left and the right, while they have rising anti-globalist sentiment, best not succeeded in capturing the centre. demonstrated by the constitutional no In Germany, the far left is also vote in France and the Netherlands, and enjoying growing public popularity at the growing concerns about immigration expense of the SPD. Recent polls have which EU enlargement accentuates. put the Left party at 13-14% against only However, it is not all doom and 25% for the SPD. In the 2005 Bundestag gloom in terms of structural change. elections, the SPD scored 34.2% as There are also positive trends that ought Roger Liddle against 8.7% for the far left. to strengthen the prospects for progres- Social democrats also appear to have sive politics. There has been a growth of ow is European social democracy lost votes to the populist far right, in Italy, overall educational levels and opportuni- Hdoing? Not that brilliantly, especially Austria, Greece and even in the recent ties, for example, and great strides for- by comparison with the recent past. By Swedish general election. Jean Marie Le ward to gender equality. 2000, 11 out of 15 European member Pen may not have done so well in the These are big achievements, but states had social democratic or centre- latest French presidential elections, but tackling the general trend is more difficult. left prime ministers. Today, there are only some say that Sarkozy manages to be as Why has Labour in the UK apparently four left, following Prodi's recent resigna- good a populist on the stump as Le Pen succeeded where others are falling tion in Italy, and it might even drop to could ever be, though he manages to stay behind? It is not just that New Labour suc- three depending on the outcome of on the right side of respectability! ceeded in removing fears of Labour that Spain's upcoming election - but about The rise of the far right has been had held back the party's electoral poten- that I am more optimistic. But generally accompanied by rising anti-immigration tial since its foundation. Labour has also elections have not gone well for social feeling across Europe. While the UK has been able to deliver in the last 10 years democrats in recent times. been somewhat insulated from the visi- notable public service improvements as a That is not to say that there are no ble effects of this thanks to our electoral result of massive investment: that is real. social democrats in government. We are system, what we have seen here is Also, the PSOE in Spain has enjoyed represented in the coalition governments growing absentionism. Those disaffected continued popularity under Jose Luis of the Netherlands, Germany and voters, especially in the most deprived Zapatero. If one had to explain this in a Belgium. Nicolas Sarkozy's "government of areas, who have turned towards the far single phrase, it is because he has posi- all the talents" now includes ex-socialists. right and the populist left in other coun- tioned them as "the party of modernity". Among new member states there are also social democrats in power, including in It is certainly noticeable that in systems of proportional represen- Bulgaria, Hungary, and Lithuania too. tation traditional social democratic parties have found themselves However, among the new member states, squeezed from both the left and the right, while they have not only in Hungary has the left succeeded in succeeded in capturing the centre getting re-elected, though the Czech Social Democrats only failed by a whisker. tries, are simply not interested in going So there are many lessons to draw Hopes of change have been dented to the polls any more. from these successes. Social democrats will further after three of European social What are the explanations? Some only succeed where they create a credible democracy's most attractive leaders are structural; the decline of a tradition- project for the future. We must think more failed to make an impact: in Greece al working class and of trade unionism profoundly about the strategies and poli- George Papandreou, in the Netherlands (pretty universal across Europe except in cies to address the structural changes and Wouter Bos, and in Denmark Helle the Nordic countries: in France for challenges that now shape our politics. Thorning-SSchmidt. They were common- example only 3% of private sector ly acknowledged to be among our employees now belong to trade unions). From the speech of Roger Liddle, younger, charismatic and centre ground There are increasing insider/outsider divi- vice president of the London-bbased NGO potential leaders. They put up a good sions in the labour market. There are "Policy network" at the presentation to show but did not succeed. growing inequalities between genera- the joint Policy Network and Friedrich So is there a theory to explain these tions, with younger working-class people Ebert Stiftung conference on the Future of trends? It is certainly noticeable that in no longer relating to a defensive European Social Democracy, 7-88 systems of proportional representation "Labourism" that they perceive as no February 2008, Arundel House, London

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U P R O A R O V E R T H E D R A F T L A W O N P R O P E R T Y R I G H T S : M U S T M O N T E N E G R O A L L O W U N B R I D L E D S A L E O F L A N D T O F O R E I G N E R S ? A road to chaos or an economic boom

The importance of the issue is employment. best illustrated by the fact that 53% The Government withdrew the out of 900 million euros of direct proposal under the pressure from Pi{e: Vladan @ugi} foreign investments for 11 months of the Social-Democratic Party which the last year went into acquisition of opposes the equalisation of foreign hould the citizens of European real estate. In the same period the private persons with the nationals SUnion or all foreigners be outflow of capital amounted to 450 with regard to real estate, primarily allowed to purchase real estate in million, three thirds being invested because of the increasing numbers Montenegro? Did the government's in real estate. One could conclude of Russian buyers. The draft was negotiating team make a mistake from these figures that Montenegrins supposed to be discussed in the when it agreed that once the who sell their inheritance eagerly Parliament at the spring session Stabilisation and Association buy real estate somewhere else, starting 1 March. Agreement (SAA) comes into force probably in Belgrade or Novi Sad, At the moment it seems that EU citizens can purchase land and that most of the capital is spent the Parliament is unwilling to adopt under the same conditions that in consumption, instead of new the Government's draft in its origi- apply to the local population? Most investments that could minimise for- nal format. According to the of the new EU countries won a eign trade deficit and increase Constitution, for the laws concern- concession to put such regulations into force only five to seven years after accession for agricultural land TTHHEE BBEESSTT SSOOLLUUTTIIOONN:: MMAALLTTAA and forests. Would complete liber- ll the new EU members tried to limit the sales of real estate to the foreigners alisation of the real-estate markets Ain their negotiations with EC, whether the issue at question were the second- lead to an investment boom or ary residences or economically significant areas, and Malta had most success in it. would it only boost the already No person who did not live on this island for at least five years has the enormous foreign trade deficit? Can right to buy a secondary residence, and this also applies to Maltese citizens the state dictate to an individual to who live abroad. If the value of an apartment exceeds 70 000 euros (116.5 whom he or she can sell the land? for houses), Malta has an obligation to allow EU citizens to buy them, unless Would liberalisation allow the the edifice in questions of historical significance. Restrictive legislation for acquisition of agricultural land and forests for a period of 7 to 12 years after tycoons to mince the enormous acceding to EU was adopted by Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, land of the companies they bought Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, while in the case of second- for peanuts and resell them as real ary residence Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Bulgaria were estate for a fortune? allowed to postpone liberalisation to five years. Slovenia won a protective These are some of the dilem- clause shielding its land until 2011. mas sparked by the Government's Some of the older EU members also have restrictive legislation in this respect, draft law on property rights envis- while Finland and Denmark have invested much effort in protecting Alan Islands. aging that all foreign citizens can In Denmark, foreigners cannot buy a house unless they have lived in this become proprietors of land in country for at least five years, and no foreigner can own land. This exception Montenegro under the same condi- from the general EU regulations was granted to Denmark before its accession negotiations, during the ratification of the Maastricht treaty. tions as the local population.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 4 F o c u s o f t h i s i s s u e F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 I I

T registering a business to buy the T S S E E J J I I V

land, and liquidating it immediately V

o o t t o o

h afterwards. The administrative court h p issued a ruling on one such case p stipulating that "based on the Law on property rights, a foreign private person not pursuing an economic activity in Montenegro cannot claim ownership over land", but there is no information on the implementa- tion of this decision so far. During the screening of Montenegrin legislation, EC will first evaluate the extent of harmonisa- tion, and then discuss the issue of the property rights of EU citizens in the chapter on the Freedom of

Predrag Stamatovi} movement of goods and capital. Branislav Radulovi} The practice has shown this to be ing the property rights of foreigners one of the more difficult chapters Prof Dr Gordana \urovi} withheld the Parliament needs the approval for the countries like Cyprus or her opinion during the adoption of of a two-thirds majority. Croatia that do not whish to relin- the Property law in the Movement for Changes has also quish the prerogative to manage Government, for it "does not envis- opposed liberalisation of the real their real estate, although all EU age the conditions of reciprocity estate market. They believe that cer- citizens ought to have equal rights with regard to the right of foreign- tain resources, like those in the under the European laws. ers to acquire property rights on coastal area, should not be sold but The Pulse learned from the land in Montenegro". instead leased for a number of years. European Commission that they will She put forth a similar opinion According to the current legis- not tackle these issues at this stage during the adoption of the draft law lation, real estate in Montenegro of Montenegrin integrations. SSA on state property, arguing that the could be owned only by the foreign stipulates that "Montenegro may coastal areas and forests ought to public persons, i.e. commercial grant all EU citizens a national remain property of the state. entities. It is no secret, however, treatment regarding acquisition of "The law should instead stipu- that with assistance or cooperation real estate on its territory". Deputy late certain special rights to utilisa- of Montenegrin citizens many for- PM for European Integrations and tion of these public goods (conces- eigners abused this opportunity by the head of the negotiating team sions, leasing, rent and similar contractual arrangements", \urovi} said. Secretary General of the Association of Lawyers, Branislav Radulovi}, believes however that the insistence on reciprocity is not a "particularly strong argument". "With 13.812 km2 of territory, one would wonder whether reci- procity is sufficient to defend Montenegrin interests. With regard to Russia, for instance, this principle is perfectly senseless", Radulovi} explains. He says that other states "had a much more sensitive approach in negotiating their SAAs", by creating

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 5 F o c u s o f t h i s i s s u e F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 protective mechanisms, as in the case of Malta. "Montenegro can promote con- cessions as a way of attracting for- eign investments, like Bulgaria did. Bulgaria did not sell out its proper- ty - instead, it concluded agree- ments on concessions with the for- eign investors allowing them to use and manage the property for 99 years. Thus it avoided losing its ownership over land, but also pre- vented manipulations of the pur- pose and fictitious agreements made in order to re-sell the land further", Radulovi} said. Unlike him, Predrag Stama- tovi}, councillor in the Ministry of at the Faculty of Economics says key locations ought to be protected Finance says that the state has no there should be no difference in in the interest of the state. right to limit individuals' rights to treatment between nationals and "We must know our strategic private property, which includes, foreigners with regard to real estate, interests...leave a golden share. among other, transferring the rights especially now that Montenegro is Strategic locations, such as the coast to another individual. He asks "who drawing closer to EU. or @abljak should be leased for 99 has the right to prevent further "The consequences of this law years, but others could be sold", development and inflow of foreign can only be positive: all borders are Mihailovi} said. capital" reminding that only last dissolving, and we must be a part President of the Employers' year the tax on property transfer of it. Any resistance could only have Union, Predrag Mitrovi} warns that contributed 40 million euros to the negative economic and social con- the state should be attentive to the budget. sequences", Mihailovi} said. comparative experiences of Euro- Dr Bo`o Mihailovi}, professor He stressed, however that some pean countries and other states in the region. "In practice, it happened that ZZAAGGRREEBB PPRROOTTEECCTTSS the countries with a so-called lib- eral legislation find themselves under the siege of "economic ter- FFIIEELLDDSS AANNDD FFOORREESSTTSS rorism", by giving up their land for roatia never opened negotiations on the free movement of capital, as dur- money coming from the gray and Cing the screening two years ago European Commission experts concluded black economies abroad. Such lib- that Croatian legislation is not in line with European standards. eral laws are particularly dangerous In spite of EU warnings, the official Zagreb did not yet plunge into sub- for small states like Montenegro and stantial changes in order to allow "EU citizens to enjoy the necessary rights that I believe the state should proceed would enable them to acquire real estate in Croatia", as the EC put it. more cautiously", Mitrovi} said. According to SAA and other documents, Croatia would have to complete Another employers' organisa- the liberalisation of the real estate markets by 2009. tion, Montenegro Business Alliance Citizens of Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Netherlands and (MBA), however, supports the solu- Spain can acquire real estate in Croatia based on reciprocity. However, it is estimated that because of the administrative red tape the tion allowing foreigners to buy land. procedure may take up to two years, leading foreign citizens to recourse to a They view the opinions of the more expensive but more effective route: establishing businesses in Croatia and opponents of full liberalisation as then acquiring real estate without restrictions. anachronistic, and their demands as It is estimated that in the last five years foreigners were involved in up to drawing the country into backward- 3 500 real estate transactions. Foreign citizens and businesses cannot acquire ness and offering the citizens dem- agricultural land and forests in Croatia. agogic solutions.

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P R O F D R G O R D A N A \ U R O V I ] , D E P U T Y P R I M E M I N I S T E R F O R E U R O P E A N I N T E G R A T I O N S We know best when we are ready to enter the race for candidate status t is the autonomous right of every Resolution on the implementation of

state to decide, after having signed I SAA commitments, and thereby T

I S E J the SAA and successfully began I urged the Government to submit the V

o t implementing the Interim Agreement, o membership application in the first h when to submit Membership p half of 2008. This motion empowers Application - in other words, when it us to accompany our written, formal is ready to enter the "race" for can- application for EU membership with didate status, says Prof Dr Gordana signatures of the President of the \urovi}, Deputy Prime Minister for Republic, President of the Parliament, European Integrations in the and the Prime Minister, which adds Government of Montenegro. weight to our application. The third In the interview for European document which is also ready is the Pulse she said that it is then the turn Memorandum on the intensions of of EU institutions, European Com- the Government in this area, i.e. mission first of all, to give a green Gordana \urovi} another confirmation of our commit- light for this process, by preparing a ment to the integration process and draft Questionnaire and other related preparing new regulations in our to SAA, which includes fulfilling all activities. ministries and on strengthening the short-term recommendations from Which activities have you instruments for quality implementa- the European Partnership for planned for 2008, and what is the tion of policies. Montenegro from January 2007, main goal you wish to achieve this Have you already had con- defining and implementing the NPI, year? tacts the government of Slovenia, full implementation of the Interim Speaking about European inte- which will be presiding over EU until Agreement and further legal harmon- gration of Montenegro the plans are June, and do you have any concrete isation. We have announced this clear: adopting the National proposals for closer cooperation and motion on the occasion of signing Programme for Integration of Slovenian support to Montenegro? the SAA, and all members of the Montenegro into EU for the 2008- Certainly, they know about our Government have been reiterating 2012 period, full commitment to European agenda for this year. our intention in every official meet- implementing the clauses of the Cooperation was further strengthened ing on the highest level with repre- Interim Agreement, negotiations on through the twinning programme, sentatives of EU member states and visa-free arrangements for our citizens which is successfully implemented for institutions. In a way, we are expect- to travel to the countries of the the last two years, and through ed to take this step. Schengen zone, submission of appli- cooperation of our administrations in What is your opinion on the cation for full membership in the EU strengthening our capacities for statement by the European and preparations of the Questionnaire European integration process. As we Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn which is the next step after the expected, the Slovenian parliament who commented on the announced Council decides to begin the process has already ratified our agreement membership application saying that of acquiring candidate country status. with EU. Montenegro should first of all focus There is also the need for inten- You announced that the on fulfilling its SAA commitments? sive political dialogue with EU and Government will submit the EU His most important messages are the countries of stabilisation and membership application in the first constructive, when he "admits" that association process. At the same half of 2008. What are you trying to Montenegro has "made substantial time, implementing the IA and NPI achieve with this move? progress" in 2007: signed the SAA, will mean more daily work on Our parliament has adopted the adopted the constitution, initiated

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government on its road to EU. How IITT IISS EEAASSYY TTOO TTEELLLL WWHHOO are you planning to employ the serv- ices of those who responded and WWOORRKKSS TTHHEE HHAARRDDEESSTT how will you test their expertise? With support of the Capacity The amended law on salaries of public employees has come into force Development Programme (CDP), the which enables you to reward the civil servants who prove to be most useful. What Government of Montenegro built a are the prospective salaries for the employees of your cabinet and the Secretariat database of national experts in the for European Integrations who work hard and have the necessary knowledge? country and abroad who are ready to The wages were slightly increased, which is good. We are now entering he sec- help in the process of European inte- ond phase, with bonuses and rewards for those who contribute the most. We will see after the first experiences. In any case, given the amount of work to do, it is grations. The goal is to recognise, easy to tell by the results who did most and who contributed more than others. pool and coordinate all national administrative, political, expert and Interim Agreement - and that he contribution to the struggle against intellectual potentials, in order to "understands that Montenegro's goal climate changes. He supported our involve all segments of the society in is to achieve candidate status", and Government's efforts to improve the process of reforming the state, that, moreover, Montenegro "plays a energy policy. In coordination with legislation and economy. In the final constructive role in the region" and the EC Delegation to Montenegro we count this should lead to "has the potential to continue on the are now expecting formal evaluation Montenegrin membership in the EU. currently successful path toward of the Strategy and will proceed by The database contains 104 experts: political stability and economic and working on the Action plan for 40 graduates, 45 MAs and 19 PhDs. social development". Concretely, and implementation of the Strategy in the Their expertise spans the follow- comprehensively, he emphasised the following months together with EC ing areas: 2 in architecture, 2 in key segments of the overall policy to representatives. By adopting this security, 17 in environment, 29 in be improved and particularly impor- strategy in such an important area, economics, 3 in the information tant issues to be attended to by the after so many years of internal dia- society, 5 in human rights, 1 in youngest European state in the logue on this document, Montenegro media, 4 in international law and upcoming period. Those are general, did not violate a single clause of the international relations, 1 in educa- but very important issues. SAA. We have very good cooperation tion, 12 in agriculture, 1 in minority You have commented earlier with the EC Delegation in Podgorica. rights, 1 in law, 3 in transport, 1 in on the discontent of EC representa- How would you comment the social policy, 1 in standardisation, 1 tives over the fact that the Strategy claims by some Serbian politicians in statistics and demographics, 2 in for energy development was never (Mr Svilanovi}) that Brussels will tourism and 6 in health. 83 live in sent to Brussels to revision before its "insist" that Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro, 21 abroad. official endorsement saying that there Albania apply for membership And how will you employ is no need to refer to SAA until it together, suggesting that there is them? comes into force. There were, how- some inclination not to treat these The first national consultants ever, some dissenting opinions on countries separately during the later were contacted by the ministry of the issue. What is the general atti- stages of EU accession? tourism and environment and the tude of Government towards the I do not know all the wishes and ministry of justice. In the short term, SAA - should Montenegro already desires of different analysts of the many of them are engaged in follow its provisions or not? region, but I know what we preparing sub-chapters of the draft I think that the EC response to announced and that Brussels knows National Programme for Integration. the Montenegrin Strategy for Energy and understands our intentions. I Between October and December Development was best described by agree that the region is a very impor- 2007 CDP and Parim project have the Energy Commissioner on the tant aspect of the overall integration contacted over 25 international occasion of minister Gvozdenovi}'s process, but I believe that every experts to assist preparation of the visit to his directorate in late January. country must be evaluated on its NPI, who covered about 20 chapters Commissioner Piebalds supported the own efforts and merits in progressing of Acquis Communautaire or assisted document, emphasising the impor- towards EU. ministries and various groups for tance of its long-term framework, the Within CDP you have formed European integrations. focus on the stability of supply, the first database of the potential incentives for investors, and, partly, its national experts who could assist the N. RUDOVI]

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M O N T E N E G R O B E T W E E N S E R B I A , K O S O V O A N D E U R O P E A N P O L I T I C S The bumpy road of interests I

ne of the hypotheses in the diplomatic T S E J

circles in Montenegro was that the leader I

O V

o of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists Milo t o h

\ukanovi} is returning to the office of Prime p Minister, among other reasons, to ensure that there are no dramatic internal turbulences in Montenegro once this country recognises Kosovo's independence. Allegedly, it would take someone with undisputed personal authority to announce to the world, to Kosovo and to "brotherly Serbia" that Podgorica will establish diplomatic links with Prishtina, without it leading to an internal crisis, burning tensions, uncontrolled protests... The assumption is probably that in this manner the wrath of one portion of the Serbian national corps will be directed solely toward \ukanovi}, who is famous for his tal- ent of escaping unscathed out of more difficult and uncertain situations. Besides, the West From the meeting of proserbian opposition in Podgorica needs someone who will unequivocally main- tain that "Montenegro respects reality", and Brussels and Washington while trying to ward "The question is: What will Montenegro who will be able to bear with the stern rebuke off the wrath of Belgrade. Any negative reac- gain by recognising Kosovo? The answer: we from Belgrade. The weight of the latest deci- tions from Prishtina were prevented by the gain better neighbourly relations - come off it, sion of the most powerful countries of the appeasing words that Montenegro will recog- please...Montenegro is not forced to take a world will be, after all, somewhat blunted if nise Kosovo sooner or later, the question is decision... It is none of my business to inter- the countries of the region withdrew their con- only when. According to some estimates, not pret the actions of other countries, but it is my sent. That \ukanovi} already calculated all before we see the results of the presidential job to make sure that Montenegro does not do advantages and disadvantages for Montenegro elections in April, in order to make sure that something that will forever remain a stain on from Kosovo's independence was already clear in January, when he categorically maintained That \ukanovi} already calculated all advantages and disadvantages that Podgorica intends to cooperate with for Montenegro from Kosovo's independence was already clear in Prishtina in every regard. He then announced that "in the final January, when he categorically maintained that Podgorica intends count, Montenegro, like all other countries of to cooperate with Prishtina in every regard the region, will recognise independent Kosovo". "We have chosen to become a part of the DPS candidate Filip Vujanovi} does not its history", says the leader of the Socialist European Union and we ought to respect its entirely lose the votes of Serbs in Montenegro. People's Party Sr|an Mili}. decisions. Montenegro will not carry the ban- And certainly not before other countries in the The government of Montenegro has a ner of independent Kosovo, and we will cer- region have recognised it first. Vujanovi} has virtually impossible task ahead: to reconcile the tainly not rush to recognise it. But in the final himself warned that Podgorica should not passions and desires of its 32% Serbian and 7% count we will have to do it, like all other make a hasty decision about Kosovo in order Albanian population. For starters, it has advised Albanians not to celebrate in public, while the The government of Montenegro is clearly trying to sit on both Serbs protested in front of the Parliament, sup- chairs: to side with Brussels and Washington while trying to ward posedly because they are more numerous. In the end, they will probably wait for the time off the wrath of Belgrade to smooth everything out and do what they the leading EU members and the USA ask them to countries in the region", \ukanovi} said, to safeguard its internal interests. do, because they are the anchors of the adding that Montenegro is interested in a sus- "Nobody is forcing us to decide. I see no Montenegrin future and the guarantors of its tainable solution for Kosovo, that would guar- reason to make the decision hastily, without two major goals: joining the EU and NATO. antee stability in the region. thinking through it carefully and I do not The question remains what to do with region- A few days earlier the ministry of internal understand why the Montenegrin public has al cooperation in the next few years if Serbia affairs declared that "Montenegro will, in coop- been so keen on taking such a decision now, finds itself in a situation in which all of its eration and coordination with EU and interna- if we know that Montenegro has never acted neighbours have recognised Kosovo as an tional partners, when the time comes, find its hastily before", Vujanovi} said. independent state. And the regional coopera- own appropriate answer to the Kosovo ques- The opposition, minus Movement for tion is, we know, a precondition for EU mem- tion". Changes, has been warning the government not bership. The government of Montenegro is clear- even to consider turning its back on Serbia and ly trying to sit on both chairs: to side with demanding parliamentary debate on the issue. N. RUDOVI]

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 9 E u r o p e a n b a r o m e t e r i n M o n t e n e g r o F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 New states and old prime ministers

by Brano Mandi}

e can agree that Barcelona is a Wtat prettier that Prishtina. Better climate, more night clubs, Sagrada Familia, flamenco…It is therefore per- fectly normal that five editors of the Montenegrin media recently spent a day or two at a fair dedicated to mobile telecommunications in Gaudi's town. By all means, journalists ought to see the world. However, the said world got another state last week, which just happens to border the native lands of the above editors and their subordi- nated reporters. That the Montenegrin media lived to see only RTCG and Vijesti sending their reporters to Prishtina last weekend leads us to a melancholy conclusion that being a journalist in Montenegro is a feat of the same order as playing basketball in news. President of a major party with It is a gross omission of the minister of Wales. 900 voters pronouncing the fresh news internal affairs Jusuf Kalamperovi} that If the editors failed to recognise that Montenegro is a part of the proj- he did not also prescribe a list of the mercy of Allah for dragging one ect of Greater Albania. If only we politically correct toasts, the appropri- planetary event all the way to the bor- knew it beforehand, perhaps Prishtina ate menu and the number of invitees der crossing Murino (or Mehov Kr{, would be swarming with doyens of all that I as an Albanian can invite for a across Zubin Potok, until the first KFOR newsrooms, asking uncomfortable round of joyous hopping in my living patrol), it is only natural that the high questions, reporting on the officials' room or, if we really have the balls in school kids should be raising commo- statements. It is all the fault of Mr the bathroom where the acoustics are tion in the streets and verbally slaugh- Popovi} who was hiding the supreme way more resonant and accordingly tering the horned and tailed "Shqiptars", truth for so long from the general the risk that we will annoy our Serbian who will soon rampage all over Mon- public and allowed history in the neighbour. The Serbian neighbour may then It is a gross omission of the minister of internal affairs Jusuf take off to before the Parliament every Kalamperovi} that he did not also prescribe a list of politically cor- Friday at 17:00, to indignantly protest rect toasts, the appropriate menu and the number of invitees that against the violation of Resolution I as an Albanian can invite for a round of joyous hopping in my no.1244, and to shout as loudly as living room one can in one's homeland. Then the elections will come and DPS will make tenegro, according to the divine neighbourhood to slip away from commercials with peasant costumes prophecy of by Predrag Popovi}. under our noses, while we try to and embracing little rascals and Ten cameras are zooming in on ambush it in every corner of the coquettes so overflowing with pure Popovi}. Ten journalists writing down motherland. love for Montenegro and youthful his revelations. Ten chauffeurs drove The said motherland has in the libido not to notice whether the other their crews to the party offices, ten meantime warned the Albanians in wears a fez, a Montenegrin hat or a editors skimmed through the press Montenegro to celebrate Kosovo's keke. releases - the media community can independence to their hearts' content, There is only one lie that is big- sleep tight, it delivered the breaking but only between their own four walls. ger than the proposition that Albanians

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 10 E u r o p e a n b a r o m e t e r i n M o n t e n e g r o F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 in Montenegro are equal as cit- league. izens: the insistence of the lead- Whereas our brotherly neigh- ers of Serbian parties that it bouring republic could, if it has should be so. any brains, lift a hefty compensa- No wonder than that the tion off its Kosovan Golgotha and mobile phones these days are overtake us on the road to haunted with a message that Europe. Then Montenegro could one's supreme duty is to kill a seize the aureole of a victim, but "shqiptar". Unfortunately, organ- only with the Russian millionaires isers of the mobile telephony in our tracks to put a veto on the contest in Barcelona failed to Budva beaches. put on the agenda a discussion To recapitulate: the last few on "SMS fascism - past, present days made it clear that it was a and future", and our journalistic good thing that Montenegro left doyens did not even consider the problem of Kosovo behind in dealing with such trifles. And the the former state union. It is an police did not have the heart to open question, however, how the arrest three individuals in Bijelo government and the opposition Polje who were posing with a intend to exploit the issue once burning Albanian flag. It all they decide to pump up the ten- comes down to the well known bal- liked celebrations in Prishtina is of no sions and sway the grumblers. ancing of the executive specialised to relevance. [krelja is the name of the The citizens could, in the mean- preserve international peace. We have MP who on the 17 February time, figure out that national is only preserved the peace so many times in announced that it was a "bright, sunny one feather in a wide fan of identities Montenegro, one could nearly forget day" as if he was mouthing a line from offered to us by the Western civilisa- our rich slaughter-oriented tradition. There is only one lie that is bigger than the proposition that Defensively-slaughter-oriented, the Albanians in Montenegro are equal as citizens: the insistence of the patriots would say. leaders of Serbian parties that it should be so The patriots are orgasmic these days. Guess who came back. But the some low budget spy movie. He can- tion - that one can also be a commit- fifth return of the Duke wouldn't be so not say that he likes the new state, he ted parent, a professional, a neighbour worrisome for the "Serbian leaders" is a DPS kid, a political tribe that or a citizen. had it not been for the gloomy fact knows how to slyly avoid any respon- As for Greater Albania, Serbia or Opinion polls show that most believe European Union to be that Croatia, these are the monsters in the utopian destination, but a few strokes on the battle fiddle with closet of history that can only grow wings in Montenegro if it fails to have appropriate loudspeakers suffice to demonstrate that the European loyal citizens. If the state does not story in Montenegro is blatant pretence. One would, naturally, allow us to celebrate or protest, there need a good fiddler, but we have sure got one - for the fifth time is no reason to be loyal to it. Instead, that he came back (they say) to recog- sibility, even towards their own peo- in the small hours of 2008 we will lay nise Kosovo's independence. ple, in this case Albanian. [krelja's lit- low dreaming about some promised The question is how far we can tle pun is the peak of 28-years in land "behind the mountains" where still stretch this cosmic tale, for how power that taught them to beat there's respect for the human right - long can we chew on Putin, Russian around the (burning) bush whenever to happiness. veto in the Security Council, China...all they ought to speak straight. That's the Opinion polls show that most because the private lives of Belgrade smugglers' joke when they say that believe European Union to be that scholars and politicians seem to be so nobody asks about the first million, utopian destination, but a few strokes dull that they can muster a straight face that's how you treat European politi- on the battle fiddle with appropriate seeking justice in world politics. cians to fritters, that's how the direc- loudspeakers suffice to demonstrate It is anyhow excellent for the gov- tor went to Kinshasa instead of jail. that the European story in Montenegro ernment that the Serbian List is rum- That is the oriental wisdom and the is blatant pretence. One would, natu- bling towards Kosovo so that they can grocer's reasoning in which wallow rally, need a good fiddler, but we have verbally flutter towards European both the students and the pensioners, sure got one - for the fifth time. Union. Enthroning once again DPS as happy to have their representative at a modern party. That its Albanian MPs Eurovision and hopeful that he or she The author is a journalist of the cannot publicly say how much they will get ahead of the Serbian col- daily newspaper "Vijesti"

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 11 F i s h e r y F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8

W H I L E C R O A T I A I S D E S P E R A T E L Y F I G H T I N G F O R I T S P R O T E C T E D E C O -FF I S H I N G B E L T , M O N T E N E G R O I S N O T Y E T P L A N N I N G T O D E S I G N A T E I T S O W N A sovereign right not to be endangered by EU

open issues, especially given that the However, in accordance with the maritime borders towards Albania and international law, this zone remains open Italy have been resolved by agreements to all countries to exercise their guaran- with SFRY which Montenegro inherited. teed rights of sailing, flying, laying sub- With Croatia we have an interim agree- marine cables and pipelines and other ment, i.e. Protocol on the interim regime legally prescribed modes of using the sea. on the territory of Prevlaka. Besides, our What is so problematic about it, law does not prohibit foreign fishing boats then, if 135 out of 152 states with access from exploiting the fisheries of our part of to the sea have already declared such a the Adriatic, which means that declaring zone? In the Croatian case, the trouble is such a zone would be pure formality. with the decision to extend Croatian by Emil Krije{torac Exclusive economic zone is a belt sovereignty over its exclusive zone to stretching from the border of the territo- fishing, which is contested by Italy, being he Croatian parliament adopted in rial sea towards the open seas until the in command of an enormous fishing fleet TOctober 2003 a decision to declare a border of the epicontinental belt, or until which exploits the fisheries outside of its protected eco-fishing zone which was the border with another state, as defined own protected economic zone. Croatia, ever since the bone of contention in the relevant agreements. In this zone on the other hand, has a comparatively between Croatia and Slovenia. Since 1 the state has the right to exercise sover- tiny, outdated fleet but much more January the decision applies also to other eign rights in order to: exploit, research, abundant fishing potential in the vicinity EU countries and the conflict is brewing. preserve and manage organic and non- of its coast. Italy, for instance, draws 200.000 tons of fish every year from the As for Montenegro and its neighbours, there should be no open Adriatic, while Croatia's catch is estimat- issues, especially given that the maritime borders towards Albania ed to 20.000. Italy never mentioned the and Italy have been resolved by agreements with SFRY which fishing clause when it declared its pro- Montenegro inherited. With Croatia we have an interim agreement, tected zone in 2006, as it cannot draw i.e. Protocol on the interim regime on the territory of Prevlaka any benefits from it. Thousands of Italian anglers have serious problems with Croatia believes that the implementation organic natural resources; produce ener- scarcity of fish in their own waters, of the above popular regulation is its gy using the maritime potentials, currents which are incapable of supporting sovereign right, whereas Slovenia in its and winds; and monitor, inspect and if exploitation on such a scale. capacity of EU president has been con- necessary banish foreign ships and pur- The Slovenian issue is more compli- testing it, threatening that its implemen- sue court cases. cated, as the two countries never agreed tation will slow down on their maritime borders. Croatia's accession to EU. Given the international law, it Italy is just as troubled with is not even certain that the declaration of the zone, Slovenia has right to an epi- but has so far refrained from continental zone, and thereby assertive action. the protected economic area Recently, in late 2007, in the Adriatic, because its 45 Montenegro adopted its own km of the coast are configured Law on the Sea, based on in such a way that even under which it acquired a legal the most benign interpretation foundation to declare an of the legal clauses it can bare- exclusive Montenegrin eco- ly claim access to an open sea, nomic zone in the Adriatic. As and thus to the accompanying for Montenegro and its neigh- benefits. bours, there should be no "Croatia has endangered

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 12 F i s h e r y F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 its accession to EU with the law on the merely specificities of the Adriatic, but protected zone, and will have to make the question facing EU now is whether serous adjustments in order to contin- an EU member, such as Slovenia, can ue the process", said Slovenian presi- use its position to blackmail another dent Tuerk. The PM Janez Jan{a main- state, which is a candidate for EU mem- tains that the "territorial agreement" bership, by its unsolved issues regarding from 2004 which exempts EU members prerogatives and economic interests on from the Croatian maritime regulations the sea. Unfortunately, the answer seems is still in force, and that Slovenia is to be positive. Or so follows from the content with such arrangement. words of Hannes Swoboda, MEP The clause in question is an official responsible for Croatia, who in the inter- note composed by the Foreign Affairs view for a Viennese paper Die Presse Secretaries of Slovenia, Croatia and Italy said that Croatia can hardly conclude its in 2004, when Croatia was about to negotiations by 2009, in light of the nec- begin its EU negotiations and was con- essary reforms in the fields of shipbuild- ditioned by exemption of EU members ing, fishing and especially the problems from the regulations applying to the pro- of the protected zone. tected zone, until the Agreement on on the protected zone", Sanader said. "The maritime border is problemat- partnership and fishing is signed between Davor Vidas, a Croatian legal expert ic. Croatia is thinking selfishly, whereas European Community and the Republic believes that "Croatia has the duty and the EU principles would require it to of Croatia. Croatian PM Ivo Sanader has, the right to care about the sea waters coordinate with its neighbours, said however, expressed little concern over and sea bed surrounding its 6278 km Swoboda on account of the protected such threats and already on 3 January long coastline, including the zone around zone. In the EC Progress Report on Croatia has arrested the first Italian fish- the islands, isles and cliffs. Croatia will Croatia for 2007, published in Brussels on ing boats that were found in the Croatian not become and EU member at the 6 January 2008, this problem crops up in several places, with a curt recommenda- Italian, Slovenian and Croatian experts, unlike their politicians, tion that the issue "ought to be solved". have no second thoughts about the protected zone being a sover- It should be emphasised here that eign right of every state, and the only bone of contention remains the protection of maritime zones has no the issue of monitoring. Italy has asked for joint monitoring forces, bearing on the legal acquis of the EU. while Croatia insists on independent monitoring Still, while the problem seems to be growing, Croatia's insistence and the lat- territorial waters north-east of Palagru`a. price of relinquishing its internationally est meetings indicate that it may never- "I believe that with a little bit of guaranteed rights, all the more because theless be resolved. Italian, Slovenian good will we can assuage the discontent the rule of law is among the founding and Croatian experts, unlike their politi- of Italy, Slovenia and European Com- principles of EU", adds Vidas. cians, have no second thoughts about mission, without altering the present law The present issues are obviously not the protected zone being a sovereign right of every state, and the only bone of contention remains the issue of monitor- PROTECTED ZONE BASED ing. Italy has asked for joint monitoring PROTECTED ZONE BASED forces, while Croatia insists on unilateral monitoring. One positive signal for OONN UUNN CCOONNVVEENNTTIIOONN Croatia came from the Enlargement he United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), stipulating the Commissioner, whose port-parole Tright of every coastal state to establish its protected zone was adopted in Kristina Nagy recently expressed the 1982, and came into force in 1984, a year after it was ratified or recognised by belief that "the spread of national juris- 60 countries. It is a document of exceptional legal, political and economic dictions in the Mediterranean will create importance, setting by the force of international law a comprehensive arrange- conditions conducive to sustainable fish- ment for the acceptable modes of using the sea, exploiting, preserving, protect- ing, contribute to effective eradication of ing and improving the quality of the sea, seabed and waters and ensures the illegal and unregistered fishing, and establishment of a global legal regime in this area. Unlike the Geneva Convention establish foundations for effective bilater- on Law of the Sea from 1958, the UN Convention integrates numerous princi- al and multilateral cooperation of coun- ples of the international law. SFRY ratified the UNCLOS in 1986. tries in the Mediterranean". There is for the time being no agreement on borders in the Adriatic. In the meantime, the line delimiting the epicontinental belts is the one set forth The author is participant of IV gen- in the agreement between SFRY (Montenegro and Croatia as its successors) and eration of the European Integrations the Republic of Italy in 1968. School. He is a high official of the People's Party

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 13 V i e w s F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8

G O R A N \ U R O V I ] , E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R O F C E N T R E F O R D E V E L O P M E N T O F N O N -GG O V E R N M E N T A L O R G A N I S A T I O N S ( C D N G O ) Anti-EEuropean front is spreading through public institutions

he Parliament of Montenegro is con- business" that the socially vulnerable and I T S E

tributing a great deal to the estrange- J marginalised groups, persons with handi- T I V

ment of the Montenegrin society from the o caps, and those who care about human t o h

European Union. An anti-European front is p rights are refused the opportunity to con- spreading through all public institutions and tribute to the development of our society the Parliament siding with this front is the through a better public service. emergency signal for solidarity: joining "I suppose some other country and forces with all those who belong to a dif- another public service should instead take ferent, European Montenegro. Today we care of these groups. The infinite repetition have another very visible and I would say of the same appointment procedure is used crucial polarisation: a European and an by the majority to deprive of all meaning anti-European Montenegro, says Goran the concept of civic participation and the \urovi}, executive director of the Centre principles of civil society, to exhaust and for Development of Non-Governmental demoralise non-governmental organisations Organisations (CDNGO). who are the nominating subjects and thus The ruling DPS-SDP coalition has create the environment in which the places refused his candidacy for membership in in the Council can only be occupied by the RTCG Council three times, although Goran \urovi} those whose political, ideological and inter- the law clearly states that the Parliament est profile and loyalty are unquestionable has no right to vote on the issue but only conduct the elections. They only bought or less questionable. Except for undermin- to confirm the appointments. extra time to allow them to foster the aims ing its relations with the citizens and non- "For two years now the RTCG Council of the ruling political coalition through the governmental organisations, the Parliament has not been functioning and the "argu- so-called public service", \urovi} warns. is also ready to ignore recommendations ments" against certain appointments have He added that the "alleged higher and opinions of non-governmental organi- been changing from one case to another - interest did not exist two years or two sations and institutions. The EP Resolution creativity is boundless. It seems, however, months ago, when the parliamentary from December 2007 has clearly urged the that it is becoming ever more difficult to majority refused to appoint 6 members to Parliament of Montenegro to cease with conceal the fact that Montenegrin society the Council and for heavens know how the current practice of deciding on the has been sliding into a soft dictatorship, if many times violated the law". appointed members to RTCG Council. The such qualifications are at all appropriate" "In the previous case the relevant par- same demands have been put forth by the said \urovi} in the interview for European liamentary committee confirmed that the European Commission, Council of Europe Pulse. procedure has been entirely observed, and and OSCE", \urovi} stressed. He stressed that the Law on Public neither the international nor the domestic He warns that instead of a "mature Broadcasting Service RTCG, long adopted in public had a singly objection to the process response by MPs to the requests from the national and international public all we got Only a powerful, joint action of all citizens, national organisations were new manipulations and panic attacks and institutions and international organisations can prevent absolute on the non-governmental sector". anarchy which is slowly but surely permeating Montenegro. If we "Unfortunately, the reactions of the domestic public towards the scandalous fail to act now, we have no right to be surprised once dictatorship behaviour of the Parliament were mild, becomes a glaring, everyday phenomenon in Montenegro while the reaction of the international organisations who monitor the process of the Parliament, has been entirely suspended. of appointments. In the most recent case, democratisation in Montenegro is appar- "The recent procedure of sidelining however, the relevant committee was not ently also insufficient. Only a powerful, the Regulations to place on the agenda and even asked to evaluate the regularity of the joint action of all citizens, national organi- once again refute appointments of the nomination process, so that everything was, sations and institutions and international nominated members to the Council, with directly and against the law, left to voting, organisations can prevent absolute anarchy justification calling upon the "higher inter- where the outcome is obviously known. which is slowly but surely permeating ests", is at best ridiculous, although the sit- The parliamentary majority does not care Montenegro. If we fail to act now, we have uation is far from being jolly. The said about the interests of Montenegro and its no right to be surprised once dictatorship "higher interest" was to elect hastily one or citizens. All they need is 6 or 8 (the more becomes a glaring, everyday phenomenon two people from the extended list, in order the better) tightly controlled people in the in Montenegro", \urovi} warned. to make the process appear legal in the RTCG Council", \urovi} said. eyes of the public, form the Council and He claims that "it is none of their N.R.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 14 S c i e n c e F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8

P R O G N O S I S O F A L E A D I N G B R I T I S H E C O N O M I S T S J E R E M Y R I F K I N EU to lead the third industrial revolution

limate change and the depletion of The EU must now work to find ways Coil reserves are taking place faster of storing these renewable energies. than expected and the policies being put "Renewable energy is intermittent. in place are insufficient to keep up, says The sun isn't always shining, the wind one of the leading British economists isn't always blowing." Jeremy Rifkin, pleading for the EU to lead Existing storage media, such as bat- the way towards a "Third Industrial teries or differentiated water pumping, Revolution". can only provide limited storage capaci- We are "at the last stage of an ener- ty. But Rifkin believes that hydrogen can gy era", Jeremy Rifkin told EurActiv. provide a solution - as a "universal medi- Jeremy Rifkin The current energy system based on um that 'stores' all forms of renewable "We are now living the IT revolution, fossil energies will not last through the energy". but we have yet to see its full potential, 21st century as oil prices surge and "peak "If some of the electricity generated its "deeper historical mission", Rifkin said. oil" - the point of maximum oil produc- when renewable energy is abundant can According to him, that potential lies tion - will, according to him, be attained be used to extract hydrogen from water, in their convergence with renewable in 2030 at the latest. which can then be stored for later use, energy, partially stored in the form of "I don't know who's right, the opti- society will have a continuous supply of hydrogen, to create the first 'distributed' mists or the pessimists. But anyway, it will power," he explained. While the technol- energy regimes." happen between 2010 and 2030, and it ogy may appear expensive now, so were Rifkin believes that nuclear energy is leaves a very small window," he said. the first cars and computers, he added. one of the "blind allies" on this road, and Action is needed urgently, he added, "The third pillar relates to distribu- that investment in that direction only Rifkin believes that hydrogen can provide a solution - as a "uni- inhibits progress towards the "third indus- versal medium that "stores' all forms of renewable energy trial revolution". "In order to fulfill the world's energy needs through nuclear energy, you have pointing to the increasing number of tion. Europe must establish a continent- to put under construction a new nuclear studies, including the United Nations' wide, fully-integrated intelligent inter-grid power plant every 30 days for the next third climate report, which reveals not that allows each EU member state to 50 years. That's 2,500 new power plants. only the speed and acceleration of cli- both produce its own energy and share This is not realistic", he added. mate change but also the alarming con- any surpluses with the rest of Europe in "Everyone is trying to hold onto the sequences it is already having. "We have a 'network' approach to ensure EU ener- current system because they are afraid to understand the enormity of what is gy security. In this way, Italy could share and no-one is willing to make the first happening here. We are talking about the its surplus solar energy with Britain, which sacrifices. Yet, the Third Industrial potential extinction of our species," Rifkin could in turn share its excess wind power Revolution could probably be the great- warned. with Portugal, and so on. est economic opportunity in history. A third industrial revolution will be But for this to happen, the "commu- Precisely the EU - as the world's biggest based on three pillars. Firstly, renewable nication revolution" must connect with internal market, with 500 million con- forms of energy, including solar, wind, the energy revolution" Rifkin stressed. sumers - has the necessary assets to lead hydro, geothermal, ocean waves and The great pivotal economic changes the way. Europe should not panic or biomass, need to be developed and fac- in world history have occurred when new deconstruct because other economies, tored in "wherever we are, in our infra- energy regimes converge with new com- like the US, are bailing out. Europe cre- structures, in our homes, in our offices, in munication regimes, he said, pointing to ated the first industrial revolution. USA our vehicles". The EU has already started the convergence of Gutenberg's print created the second revolution and investing in these and has set itself the press with coal steam and the first indus- Europe can make the third one", Rifkin target of attaining a 20% share of renew- trial revolution, or the creation of the emphasised. able use in energy by 2020. This is a telephone in the 20th century, which "good thing", says Rifkin, but it will "not converged with internal combustion and N.R. - V.[. be enough". oil for the second industrial revolution.

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 15 F r o m m y p o i n t o f v i e w F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 Why do I want to be a citizen of Europe?

rulers of England and political mas- Why do I want to be a citizen terminds of Eastern Europe. I, like so of Europe? Because I want my many young people in the Balkans, country, my Balkans, to learn some- have read Jacques Prevert, Edgar thing from Europe. To be pushed to Alan Poe and Herman Hesse. Does revise long forgotten lessons on fun- an average European know about damental human rights. To learn Petar Petrovi} Njego{, Stefan Mitrov about freedom of speech and Ljubi{a, Mihailo Lali}, Vuk Karad`i} expression, respect for the law and or \ura Jak{i}? They do not, you can human rights, the rule of law. I take my word for it. want our youth to study and earn by Bojana Stani{i} It is our advantage, an advan- their distinctions at the prestigious o tell the truth, I do consider tage we ought to learn to exploit and universities. Tmyself a citizen of Europe. I am demonstrate our intelligence in the Why else? Because I want to European in spite of the fact that best manner. Although I personally make Europe better. Somebody may neither Montenegro where I live, nor disagree with a few politics and laugh, but I mean it. I want to give Serbia, my homeland, nor principles of European Union, I Europe a bit of our Balkan passion Macedonia, the country where I was born are members of the European I want to give Europe a bit of our Balkan passion and hot blood, to Union. I do not feel European teach it how to laugh and love, to sing and have fun. I want the because of the geographical belong- cold-bblooded Brits to see how humans can be warm and hearty, to ing to the Old Continent, but tell workaholic Germans that there are other things in life but work, because every one of these three and to teach the French that we can also love, more strongly and countries, historically and culturally, passionately than they do has many European traits. Un- fortunately, either we do not know believe that there is no other road and hot blood, to teach it how to how to display those convincingly, or for Montenegro, or for the Balkans in laugh and love, to sing and have fun. those who we consider European do general. I want the cold-blooded Brits to see not want to see and recognise them. And why? Because only by how humans can be warm and I feel European, because my grabbing ahead on that road lit by hearty, to tell workaholic Germans education, personal culture and lev- 12 yellow stars can we force the rest that there are other things in life but els of tolerance set me on par with of Europe to take us seriously, not to work, and to teach the French that any Dutch, German of French citi- think of us as of savages who only we can also love, more strongly and zen. Perhaps I am even a little ahead know how to wage wars. Because passionately than they do. I want to of them. Unlike many Europeans, only this road will give us a chance show everyone that our little coun- try has, all on the heap, mountains While in Brussels they protest against the noise of airplanes, in and the sea, cheerful Mediterranean Podgorica one does not dare ask for the basic rights. "Illegal" forms spirit and harshness of the North, of protest are rewarded with lay-ooffs of workers, and instead of multiethnicity and multiculturality. receiving medical assistance, they are simply thrown out on the We are today at the margins of street Europe and Europe has not yet who do not even know where to show our Balkan and European heard of us. This is why I want to be Montenegro, Serbia or Macedonia is, values. And finally, because only in a citizen of Europe, as soon as pos- I can place every one of the 27 EU this way can we assume in the near sible. member states, I know their capitals, future the place that rightfully A few days ago I read in the the fathers of the French revolutions, belongs to us. papers about a German pensioner

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who missed his destination by 820 forms of protest are rewarded with crossed at the crossings and rubbish km and ended up in Denmark, lay-offs of workers, and instead of thrown into rubbish bins. instead of the west of Germany. The receiving medical assistance, they are Let us show this Europe that liv- lively 84-years old arrived with his simply thrown out on the street. ing the Balkan way does not only car to a private holding in the north- Why do I want to be a citizen of stand for barbarism, wars and crimes, ern Jutland, Denmark, convinced Europe? So that such things would for filth and lack of education. Let us that he has in fact reached the vicin- become unthinkable! show that it also can mean patriot- ity of his house near Essen. Now the question is how to ism, love for freedom, justice, and Do you now understand why I achieve this goal. finally, why not, being humane and want to be a citizen of Europe? I found the answer in the words courageous. Let us show them that It must be a great feeling to have of Paolo Coelho: "The secret lies in we are capable of integrating their an ordinary citizen, hitchhiker or a the present: if you pay attention to values into ours and turn the Balkans traffic policeman inform you that you the present, you can make it better. into a region where everyone would have entered the territory of another If the present is better, what comes like to live. "God gave us bow and state, instead of the proverbially after will be better too". arrows, but he did not bless us with unfriendly border police. It must be We have no illusions that our the ability to stretch the bow and great not to stand in line for "non- present will improve by joining EU. shoot the arrows", said Henryk Sienkiewicz Let us show this Europe that living the Balkan way does not only . I believe it is time to show that we can also shoot those stand for barbarism, wars and crimes, for filth and lack of educa- arrows and prove to European Union tion. Let us show that it also can mean patriotism, love for free- that we deserve to be a part of it, dom, justice, and finally, why not, being humane and courageous with all our advantages and disad- EU" citizens at every airport. It must There are few things that the act of vantages. Let us show that our cul- be great to be a citizen of EU. To accession can change. Whatever ture and education are not lesser have the right and freedom to say ought to be changed in order to join than those of Britain, Denmark or what you think, to have the right and the European 27 should be changed Italy. Let us prove that we can offer freedom to choose. here and now. something to Europe! I would like my biggest problems Let us improve our present, to Let us use our intelligence and in life to be the airplanes making make our future better, "European", learn European lessons. Let us give enormous noise over Podgorica. To like our politicians like to say. Let us our best to get the best. Let us bring take it as a reason, like the citizens join our forces to create a democrat- Europe here so we can be its citi- of Brussels, to walk out on the streets ic state, let us, the ordinary citizens, zens. and protest. And while in Brussels not our politicians, be the ones who they protest against the noise of air- will begin implementing EU stan- The author is a journalist of TV planes, in Podgorica one does not dards. Let us not wait for Europe to "Vijesti". She attended VI generation dare ask for the basic rights. "Illegal" teach us that the street ought to be of the European Integration School.

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A L B A N I A A N D E U R O P E A N I N T E G R A T I O N S Dreaming of success

by Rudina Hoxha suffer dilemmas or prejudices over European integration. On one point, he core of European integration at least, its people think alike. The Thas not been transmitted success- Albanians, who experienced the fully to the Albanians because the fiercest dictatorial regime in Europe political class has presented it simply over 50 years, have dreamed a lot as a matter of political will - the 3.6 about the West, the Promised Land, million people living in Albania are Europe and Freedom. This is why the running after a dream. Unfortunately, phrase EU integration is virtually they do not know exactly what the sacred to this nation. Polls show that dream is fully about. They want their the Albanians are the most enthusi- Tirana country to join the European Union astic people in the region about their (EU) and are very enthusiastic about own integration: more than 90% EU affairs' analyst and director of the prospects. Sentiments are strong. strongly support this process, in con- the Albanian Institute for International When talking of Albania's experience trast to the prevalent trend in the Studies Albert Rakipi explains this along the road to integration, these region: the closer a country view given the Albanians' historical are the first impressions one gets. Like approaches the EU, the less support sentiments to Europe, through a sort no other society, Albania does not for the movement by its society. of misunderstanding among some segments of Albanian society. The Albanians, who experienced the fiercest dictatorial regime in "Albanians perceive EU integra- Europe over 50 years, have dreamed a lot about the West, the tion as a miracle which will come Promised Land, Europe and Freedom. This is why the phrase EU from abroad. If the EU takes the integration is virtually sacred to this nation long-awaited decision on Albania overnight, there are Albanians who GGOOVVEERRNNMMEENNTT AANNDD OOPPPPOOSSIITTIIOONN think that the Miracle will happen at once: roads will be resurfaced, there WWOORRKKIINNGG TTOOGGEETTHHEERR will be jobs, prices will be lower, hospitals will provide a high quality OONN JJUUDDIICCIIAALL RREEFFOORRMM service, universities also and irector of the Albanian Media Institute, Remzi Lani insists on the fact that "it embassies will issue visas for them. Dis important to change Albania's concept of European integration from a for- But, their perception is wrong," said eign policy's affair to a domestic one. It is our job to address our sharp problems Rakipi who also blames the govern- in order to turn Albania into a normal country, so we can join Europe afterwards." mental propaganda for highlighting There are such unresolved and lengthy problems that constitute the gist of only the bright side of integration the EU's 2007 progress report on Albania, released in November. Reforms were while failing to make the crux clear. the buzzword of this report which lashed out at the government's insufficient In fact, most of the Albanians efforts to implementing the reform in the judiciary and elections, fight corrup- shrug their shoulders when they are tion and build a safer and more reliable business climate. In line with the 2007 asked about the essence of European EU progress report, the Albanian government has set its priorities and duties to be carried out. For the first time, in the name of the EU and NATO inte- integration even though they have gration, both majority and opposition have put down their arms and have heard the phrase regularly since June begun to show up the first signs of consensus over key reforms, concretely 2006 when Albania signed the those of the judiciary and electoral system. The Interim Agreement, in force Stabilization and Association Agree- since December 2006, has started to be applied and in this respect the ment (SAA) with Brussels. Albanian Parliament has passed a number of important laws and decisions, "A debate on European integra- especially in the area of fiscal policy. tion at the population's or elite's level

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reforms remains the only indicator that will tell whether this country will get candidate status or not. What can be said with certainty now is that the European Union is seen by the Albanians as the most important strategic actor. "The role of the European Union is quite visible in Albania. It has contributed consider- ably to state building and politics consolidation, so a zero-sum game has often been avoided. The EU is also present through its economic projects mainly in infrastructure and the electricity network," says Rakipi. Since January, pre-accession financial assistance to Albania has has been virtually absent, or has been the Socialist Movement for Integra- been provided under the new improvised because the political class tion, Ilir Meta, a strong opposition Instrument for Pre-Accession has presented integration only as a voice in Albania. Meta suggests a Assistance (IPA). The European matter of political will," says publicist thorough revision of the national Commission allocated a total of 61 and scholar Pirro Misha, who is also strategy on integration and develop- million euros in 2007. head of the Albanian Institute of ment. But the pattern is familiar: No one can deny that EU inte- Public Dialogue and Communication. against the opposition's skepticism, gration has been the major stimulus Debates, he insists, must address the government keeps bragging. for Albania to progress with its dem- thorny issues directly related directly "Albania will open membership ocratic processes. to integration such as economy, talks with the European Union on the "Being under EU integration pres- poverty, challenges for the rural pop- second half of 2008 if reforms are sure and international monitoring, ulation (Albania has the highest per- successful," Albanian Integration Albania has been forced to respect centage of rural population in Europe) and other problems. A debate on European integration at the population's or elite's A visa facilitation accord was level has been virtually absent, or has been improvised because the enforced earlier this year but, unfor- political class has presented integration only as a matter of polit- tunately, little has been changed in ical will," says publicist and scholar Pirro Misha the visa procedures for the Albanians: they have to present the same num- Minister Majlinda Bregu stated proper standards which has helped us ber of documents as before. recently after the country's premier, bring the democratic processes ahead," "Overall, Albania has made some Sali Berisha reconfirmed Albania's said analyst Skender Minxhozi. progress in strengthening its govern- integration into the EU and NATO as All in all, joining the EU is a two- ment structures to address its com- two major goals for the government. way process. As time passes, the race mitments towards the EU and the The speaker of parliament, Jozefina to join this powerful organization will broader development agenda. Further Topalli pledged the ratification of get keener and the parameters more strengthening of capacity, coordina- Albania's SAA by the parliaments of difficult to be met. It is not known to tion and strategic planning remains all the 27 EU member countries by what extent this will expose Europe's necessary," states the EC Progress August 2008. So far, the parliaments lack of desire to have a second Report for Albania. of 17 EU countries have ratified enlargement after that of May 1, 2004 In order to achieve much more, Albania's SAA leaving ten others still and this may delay Albania's acces- the Albanian opposition has under- to do so. The President of Albania sion to the EU. Nevertheless, until scored the vital need for having a Bamir Topi wants greater commit- the dream takes wings, the Albanians clear integration strategy. ment to SAA's ratification. "The SAA keep on dreaming… "No one really knows exactly ratification is encouraging, but insuf- when Albania will exactly join the ficient," he says. The author is a journalist in the European Union," said the leader of Meanwhile, Albania's progress in "Albanian Daily News", Tirana

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E U W A R N S R O M A N I A A N D B U L G A R I A O V E R ' S L O W ' A N T I -CC O R R U P T I O N E F F O R T S A N D T H R E A T E N S W I T H S A N C T I O N S Brussels expected a better game from Sofia and Bucharest

t is a cruel irony that the EU has max- Iimum leverage in questions of corrup- tion performance before accession, but once countries are in the Union, where money, goods, people - and problems - can move freely, the influence drops to almost zero. This has to change, warns Rune Rasmussen, Transparency International EU Policy Officer. The comment is a follow-up on the interim reports by European Commission on the progress made by Romania and Bulgaria on judiciary reform and fighting corrup- tion and organised crime which shows that both countries must seriously step up their efforts ahead of the next detailed evaluation due in mid-2008. Otherwise they could face sanctions, Brussels warned. "An EU that works must be free of corruption. The fight against corruption Sofia in Romania and Bulgaria is a question ruption, high-level corruption and Romania's Action Plan for local of the integrity of the entire European organised crime lacks meaningful per- corruption, high-level corruption and Union. It's critical", emphasised formance indicators and the measures organised crime "lacks coherence and Rasmussen. proposed (such as awareness-raising suffers from gaps", does not provide The reports, issued on 4 February campaigns, etc.) do not reflect the level sufficient detail for local corruption and 2008, express EC's concern over the of commitment necessary to tackle the does not feature sufficiently targeted absence of convincing results in the fight against high-level corruption in The report on Bulgaria concludes that whereas some successful both countries, as well as organised efforts have been put in place in the areas of judicial reform and crime in Bulgaria. fighting corruption at the country's borders, efforts to fight cor- The report on Bulgaria concludes ruption within local government and organised crime should be that whereas some successful efforts strengthened to show positive results have been put in place in the areas of judicial reform and fighting corruption issues concerned. As for Romania, the activities and indicators to deliver the at the country's borders, efforts to fight report points to delays in implementing intended result. corruption within local government and a coherent recruitment strategy for the "If I can use a sporting analogy, we organised crime should be strengthened judiciary and fighting local corruption. expect a much better half. None of us to show positive results. EC's main concern regarding want to see extra time or penalties. "What we see, especially in the Romania is that despite the structures in That is why we expect the two govern- area of organised crime, is that, while place, such as the national anti-corrup- ments to improve in the second half," the figures are improving, we have no tion directorate, the authorities "have Gray added, underlining that sanctions way to assess how this fits in with the not been able to demonstrate convinc- may be imposed in case of further lack situation on the ground, and also with ing final results" in the fight against of progress. other data that is been provided in high-level corruption. "We have ten The final reports will be published previous years," said EC spokesperson important cases that have been delayed in mid-2008 when, depending on the Mark Gray. for over six months," said Gray, express- progress made, sanctions could be Furthermore, the report points out ing the EU executive's concern about imposed upon the two countries. that Bulgaria's Action Plan for local cor- the pace of reforms in the country. When Bulgaria and Romania

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 20 E U c h a l l e n g e s F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8 joined the EU on 1 January 2007, the Commission made clear that there was still work to be done for the two coun- tries to meet the necessary EU require- ments. Otherwise, the EC may decide to make use of special safeguards. Such safeguards are included in the Accession Treaties and can be invoked against new member states as a last resort, which could lead to a refusal to recog- nise court decisions or cuts to EU funds. The current report is part of a "Co-operation and Verification Mechanism" replacing the monitoring system since 1 January, and looks in particular at the progress made in the areas of judicial reform, organised crime and the fight against corruption. The progress reports on Bulgaria and Romania conclude that "progress in the judicial treatment of high-level cor- Bucharest ruption is insufficient". However, the Commission finds that it is too early to require a long-term commitment," EC there are still efforts to be made and trigger or remove the threat of sanc- President Jose Manuel Barroso stated. that progress regarding high level cor- tions against the two countries. EC said it was satisfied about ruption is "insufficient". "While safeguard clauses are not Romania's progress in tackling judicial Romania is currently investigating being proposed by the Commission at reform, local-government corruption two former prime ministers and two this stage, we will remain vigilant. The and setting up a national integrity former ministers over corruption allega- further changes that are necessary agency. However, it points out that tions. Some commentators were sur- EC made clear that there was still work to be done for the two prised by the report's softened tone countries to meet the necessary EU requirements. Otherwise, the and criticised that even in areas where EC may decide to make use of special safeguards. Such safeguards there has been hardly any progress, the Commission certified that the two are included in the Accession Treaties and can be invoked against countries "largely met the benchmarks". new member states as a last resort, which could lead to a refusal But Freedom, Security and Justice to recognise court decisions or cuts to EU funds Commissioner Franco Frattini under- lined that he wanted to send out the right message to the populations of Bulgaria and Romania. TTHHEERREE IISS AALLWWAAYYSS SSPPAACCEE "It is not a blaming and shaming exercise. It is an honest report high- FFOORR IIMMPPRROOVVEEMMEENNTT lighting what the two governments should do", he said. ecoming a member of the EU does not mark the end of work. Many things However, the EC is not letting Bare yet to be achieved, but we hope that Romania will continue its reform Bulgaria and Romania completely off process and make quick progress, said the chairmen of European Democrats the hook. It will continue to follow in EP, Joseph Daul, welcoming EC's decision not to use safeguard clauses their progress and keep up the threat against Romania. of sanctions, such as the non-recogni- Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu judged that the report tion of court judgements, until mid- was "fair" and promised to continue reform efforts. 2008. Frattini said that the Commission "The report shows that we are treating these issues very seriously. Many would not shy away from making use of the requested measures are in the process of being taken and there will be of the safeguards if the two countries more progress soon", he added. were "failing to make progress and Bulgarian Europe Minister Gergana Grancharova welcomed the Com- meet the benchmarks". mission's decision not to apply safeguard clauses to Bulgaria and said the way forward was through "work, partnership and trust". N. RUDOVI] V. []EPANOVI]

E u r o p e a n p u l s e N o 2 9 21 G e t t i n g a c q u a i n t e d w i t h E u r o p e a n U n i o n F e b r u a r y , 2 0 0 8

A G U I D E T O W O R D S A N D E X P R E S S I O N S NON - GOVERNMENTAL F R E Q U E N T L Y U S E D B Y T H E P E O P L E W H O A R E ORGANISATIONS P R O F E S S I O N A L L Y D E A L I N G W I T H E U I N T E G R A T I O N IN EUROPEAN UNION Eurojargon

support post-graduate studies involving SSOOLLIIDDAARR cooperation of at least three universities from three different EU countries. Erasmus olidar is a European network of Mundus scholarships are available for stu- SNGOs working in development and dents from all countries. humanitarian aid, social policy, social Eurobarometer: This is a Commission service provision, migration and lifelong service, set up in 1973, which measures learning in order to promote social and and analyses trends in public opinion in all economic equality in European societies. the member states and in the candidate The network consists of 42 mem- countries. Knowing what the general pub- bers active both in Europe and interna- lic thinks is important in helping the tionally in alliance with trade unions, the European Commission draft its legislative labour movement and civil society. By eople within the EU institutions and in proposals, take decisions and evaluate its organising seminars and conferences an Pthe media dealing with EU affairs often work. Eurobarometer uses both opinion lobbying in institutions responsible for use 'eurojargon' words and expressions that polls and focus groups. Eurobarometer decision making in the area of social they alone understand. Eurojargon can be publishes its findings in more than 100 policy, Solidar strives to rise awareness very confusing to the general public, which reports annually. about the gap in social and economic is the reason we decided to introduce Eurocrat: The term "Eurocrats" (a pun status of citizens in European societies those terms for the benefit of those who on the word "bureaucrats") refers to the and works to diminish this gap. are new yet entirely comfortable with the many thousands of EU citizens who work An important segment of Solidar's field of EU integrations. for the European institutions (Parliament, activities takes place in the framework of Enhanced co-ooperation: This is an the Council, the Commission, etc.). "SOS Europe" (Support our Social arrangement whereby a group of EU Euroland: This is an unofficial nick- Europe) which calls for equal access to countries (minimum eight) can work name for what is officially called "the euro high-quality, accessible, affordable together in a particular field even if the area" or "the euro zone". This area consists social, care and educational services for other EU countries are unable or unwilling of the EU member states that have adopt- all members of society. Solidar focuses to join in at this stage. The outsiders must, ed the euro as their currency. So far the on inclusion of marginalised social however, be free to join in later if they countries involved are Austria, Belgium, groups, especially in the area of educa- tion and works to strengthen the role wish. Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, and participation of civic society into Enlargement: In the 1950s, the EU Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, decision-making processes on all socie- began with just six member states. It now Slovenia and Spain. tal levels. has 27. Growth in EU membership is European Communities: In the 1950s, Thus, in cooperation with its part- known as 'enlargement', and it has hap- six European countries decided to pool ners, Solidar works to influence and pened several times: 1950 - Belgium, their economic resources and set up a sys- inform the EU agendas on social policy France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, tem of joint decision-making on econom- issues by providing reports and informa- Netherlands, 1973 - Denmark, Ireland, ic issues. To do so, they formed three tion on various socioeconomic parame- United Kingdom, 1981 - Greece, 1986 - organizations: the European Coal and Steel ters and formulating recommendations. Portugal, Spain, 1995 - Austria, Finland, Community (ECSC), the European Atomic A number of Solidar member Sweden, 2004 - Cyprus, Czech Republic, Energy Community (Euratom) and the organisations work with and for Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, European Economic Community migrants, lobbying the EU Institutions for Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, 2007 - (EEC).These three communities - collec- migrants' rights and their inclusion into Bulgaria and Romania. tively known as the 'European communi- the European societies, with a special ERASMUS: This is not really eurojar- ties' - formed the basis of what is today focus on migrant workers. gon. Named after the great Renaissance the European Union. The EEC soon Since 2006, Solidar is exploring scholar, it is an EU-supported education became by far the most important of the education and life long learning issues. programme that began in 1987. By 2007 three and was eventually renamed simply Internationally, Solidar promotes and nearly two million students have so far 'the European Community' (EC). coordinatings humanitarian aid projects benefited from Erasmus grants, which give EC decisions are taken using the in countries including Sri Lanka, India, European university students a chance of 'Community method', which involves the Iraq, the Balkans and Palestine. For more living and studying for the first time in a EU institutions. This covers everything the information visit www.solidar.com foreign country. In 2004 a new pro- EU does except for those things that are gramme, Erasmus Mundus was initiated, decided purely by agreement between Prepared by: Petar \UKANOVI] with a 40 million euros annual budget to governments.

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Centre for Civic Education, Centre for Development of Non-GGovernmental Organisations and European Movement in Montenegro with support of the NNeeww Foundation Open Society Institute - Representative Office of Montenegro issue ggeenneerraattiioonnss ooff DDeemmooccrraaccyy SScchhooooll ANNOUNCEMENT I generation of Democracy - For participants in VII generation of - XSchool started the programme in February. The School is organised by EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS SCHOOL Centre for Civic Education with Support of the Friedrich Ebert European Integrations School consists of 7 modules, lasting four months in Schtiftung. 30 new participants will total, and offers a broad range of theoretical and practical insights into the field be spending the next four months of European integrations. learning about democracy through Participants attend lectures twice a week for two hours (with a possibility of five modules of the Democracy additional lectures) and participate in specialised seminars. School. The curriculum consists of Renowned lecturers from the country and abroad, members of the diplomat- theoretical insights, comparative ic corps in Montenegro and other guests introduce the participants to history, studies and practical recommenda- development and functioning of European integration processes, the contempo- tions for building up the knowledge rary status of European institutions, their influence on our society and the and skill of applying democratic prospects for cooperation in this area. principles in everyday life, and Eligible candidates are those with a special interest in acquiring new knowl- especially in the political sphere. edge in these areas and contribution to the promotion of the idea, meaning, and The leader of the school is Prof Dr standards of European integrations in Montenegro. All applicants are welcome Radovan Radonji}, and there will be regardless of their age, gender, nationality, religion or beliefs. Priority will be given additional lectures by renowned to the applicants who demonstrate high levels of societal activism in governmen- experts from country and abroad. tal, non-governmental, party, trade union, economic, scientific or cultural The School was attended so far by domains. 234 citizens of Montenegro, mostly All attendance costs are covered by FOSI, CCE, EMiM, CDNGO, but the par- activist of non-governmental organ- ticipants are obliged to attend at least 80% of the programme. isations, political party activists, Applications with a short CV should be sent by 15 March 2008 to: journalists, civil servants from local Centre for Civic Education and state administrations, students (for European Integration School) and others who expressed their Njego{eva 36, I sprat, 81 000 Podgorica interest in participating in the pub- Fax: 081 / 665 112 lic scene of Montenegro and con- E-mmail: [email protected] tributing to further development of democracy in Montenegro. C O O P E R A T I O N F O R S U C C E S S Creating conditions for responsible management of public funds

n 11.02.2008 NGO coalition organisations through public funds, a games of chance. O"Through Cooperation to the Aim" system that would be based on clear The key speakers at the conference organised a conference on the topic principles and criteria with full respect were: Goran \urovi}, president of the "Better financing for NGOs from public for independence of the NGO sector Cooperation for Success coalition, funds", which was attended by repre- and establishment of adequate respon- Daliborka Uljarevi}, coordinator of the sentatives of the NGO sector and the sibilities of all sides for the money Working Group III - structure of NGO Government of Montenegro. coming from these funds. In this sense financing from public funds, Fadil Mu~i}, The goal of the Conference was to the discussion contained recommenda- member of the Working Group III - use this joint discussion forum to estab- tions for amendments and changes in structure of NGO financing from public lish mutually acceptable solutions that the existing Regulation on the criteria funds and Dragan Drobnjak, president of would contribute to an efficient system for selecting the beneficiaries and the the Commission for distribution of for the financing of non-governmental modes of distribution of funds from the finances from the games of chance.

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F O R T H I S I S S U E W E R E C O M M E N D :

- Accreditation via ECTS - credits (2 Applications have to be send via nor- ECTS for participation & final exam; mal mail (snail mail) - applications via 4 additional ECTS for seminar email will NOT be accepted. paper) The International Summer School INTERNATIONAL SUMMER Seggau is funded through grants given by sponsors and donators from all BALKAN CASE CHALLENGE over Europe. For that reason it is pos- 2008 sible to reduce the tuition fee for stu- VIENNA, AUSTRIA dents to the amount of Euro 360.- Scholarship / Financial aid: Full (reduced fee Euro 180.-). This tuition Date: mid of April till mid of May fee includes the Summer School pro- Deadline: March 31st, 2008 gramme, meals, housing and a print- INTERNATIONAL SUMMER Open to: exceptional students ed report. Travel arrangements have WUS Austria invites exceptional stu- SCHOOL SEGGAU to be made and paid for individually. dents from Albania, Austria, B&H, GRAZ, AUSTRIA Accreditation: Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, As the Summer School is based on Scholarship / Financial aid: partially Kosovo UNMIK, Moldova, Monte- the ECTS system, the recognition as a available negro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia, regular part of participants' studies at Date: June 28th - July 12th 2008 who study law, economics, political their home universities should be Deadline: 21st of March 2008 sciences, international relations, infor- facilitated. In order to obtain a certifi- Open to: students from all over the mation technologies or related disci- cate, students must actively participate world plines to take part in the BCC 2008. in one seminar module and all lec- This year's Summer School will take On an international level the BCC tures (recommendation: 2 ECTS). It is place from June 28th to July 12th International Case Study Competition also possible for students to write a again at Seggau Castle (near will be held between 6th of July and scholarly seminar paper (recommen- Graz/Austia) and will focus on the 11th of July 2008, Sub-Competitions dation: 4 ECTS). This paper will be topic "US EUROPE: Towards a multi- will be held in the respective cou- evaluated by the academic coordina- cultural continent". ntries/region between mid of April tors to ensure an appropriate level. Aims and objectives: and mid of May 2008. The deadline for applications is the Interdisciplinary meeting and coope- The around 140 winners out of all the 21/03/2008 (date of receiving!)! ration of teachers and students, Sub-Competitions will compete in the focussing on East and SEE and deal- competition in Vienna. Prerequisite ing with the cultural and intellectual for participants to compete in the aspects and dimensions of current Sub-Competitions is a successful European integration. Shaping profiles admission via an online process, fo- of future executives in different areas llowing established criteria. Please find such as politics, administration, econ- further details for the applications omy, science and religion. under www.bcchallenge.org - Two-week Summer University for Applications are to be submitted 80 students and 15 teachers. online until 31/03/2008. - 2 lecture series, 6 parallel seminar Contact: modules, excursion to Graz WUS Austria - Discussions with guests from the Heinrichstr. 39 area of culture and politics 8010 Graz

EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse is electronic magazine established within EIC programme, with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. The publisher is Centre for Civic Education. EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse is registered with the Ministry for Culture and Media as item No. 578 Editor in Chief: Ne|eljko Rudovi} Editorial Board: Vera [}epanovi}, Daliborka Uljarevi}, Dragan Stojovi}, Vladimir Vu~ini} Tehnical Editor: Bla`o Crvenica; Language Editor: Milena Milunovi}; English Language Editor: Maja Mugo{a; Translation: Vera [}epanovi} Njego{eva 36 / I Tel / fax: + 381 81 / 665 - 112, 665 - 327 E-mmail: [email protected] EIC Bulletin -EEuropean pulse can be downloaded at the www.cgo.cg.yu

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