The struggle for the Caspian Sea

Heartfelt No. 1, 2011 Diplomacy in Romania

The Black and Caspian Seas Foundation for dialogue, peace and harmony Wind of change on the old Silk Road

Our man in Brussels

The star named Gagarin50 years

The colours of the Khazah steppe introduction introduction photo: archives

differences there are in the political than ever to give a chance to this Bratianu, we could say that the or religious system in the countries cooperation, more so as the past Black Sea, as well as the Caspian from the region, one thing is years have shown the limits and Sea could become together “the certain. All these countries need disadvantages of using military pierre tournante of the global modernization; they need to offer force when solving problems. economy”, to which a prominent a better and wealthier life to their We have the duty and contribution is being brought citizens. Whereas disagreements responsibility to use this by the adjacent rivers: Danube, are, there also exist common cooperation chance in our regions, Dniester, Dnieper, Don and Volga. interests and visions and a very meaning the importance of these This is our chance, of those interesting common history. All of two regions for the stability and who are BSCSIF members - to these remain to be discovered and security of the geopolitical area rediscover each other, to visit exploited, so based on that to build from Vancouver to Vladivostok. each other and become friends Iulian FOTA, a joint space of trust. In recent years we have for the benefit of our countries The President of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea In the past years the two identified many opportunities for and peoples. We will explore this International Fund (BSCSIF) perimeters seemed to be extremely development and cooperation. I opportunity. We will make our contentious, being subjects to hope that all of us will understand duty. We hope that this institution contradictory and potentially in time that where the countries with its big potential will inspire conflicting influences. BSCSIF increase their trade basis, where also other people, other states, believes there is a real chance that the living standards grow – the other regions to follow our steps. the next years will be years of interest for disputes and war And the “Dialogue of the Seas” international cooperation, good decreases. magazine that we launch today, THE JOINT SPACE neighborhood and friendship. If paraphrasing the great in its first issue, will carry our OF COOPERATION And I think it’s more important Romanian scientist Gheorghe message to the world. AND MODERNIZATION

n 2008, in a joint discussion of That is how the idea of the two presidents of Azerbaijan, Ilham presidents gave birth to BSCSIF. Aliyev and Romania – Traian Established in Bucharest on March Basescu, a joint conclusion was 4, 2009, by notable personalities reached: the peoples from the from Azerbaijan, Georgia, countries of the Black Sea and the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Caspian Sea are not well enough Romania, Turkey and Ukraine, mutually acquainted. Unlike BSCSIF has quickly became an politicians or diplomats, between active non-governmental actor, the citizens of the countries from actively working within the region’s Ithis important region of the world countries, as well as in Brussels. - contacts, exchanges of ideas Subsequently, our friends from and friendships occur much less Russia, Bulgaria and Serbia have frequent. joined us. Therefore, there was a need to BSCSIF aims to contribute to create an organization that helps the development of cooperation on the citizens of those two seas to education and culture, economy get better mutually acquainted, and trade, environmental March 4, 2009, Bucharest. The establishment of The Black Sea Caspian Sea International Fund. to become friends, to increase the protection, tourism and regional Its founders with Traian Basescu, the President of Romania.

mutual help, to cooperate more. development. No matter how many introduction

2 3 contents Esandvent people photo: natalia ciobanu

Esandvent people he 5th Session of the Black Sea THE BRUSSELS SESSION / 5 Caspian Sea International Fund (BSCSIF) Board Members was thecountries of the region held at its Brussels branch. And In this section we will present to our readers the this is for a reason: the Euro- member countries of the Black Sea Caspian Sea No. 1, 2011 pean Union, whose headquarters is located

International Fund. ______Tin the Belgian capital, shows a particular azerbaijan interest and attention towards the region of Editorial Board THE LOYALTY TO THE HISTORICAL VOCATION the two seas and the Fund intends to work / 8 hand in hand with the EU on many of its georgia Mahir N.Quarayev, Azerbaijan projects. Moreover, the Fund has a chance THE GOLDEN FLEECE OF FREEDOM / 12 Tamaz Beradze, to become one of the main EU advisers in its turkey Prof., Deputy Editor, Georgia relations with the countries of the Black Sea TURKEY HAS 16th LARGEST ECONOMY / 16 Murat Auezov, Kazakhstan and Caspian Sea area. New connections be- Bayan Sarigulov, Kyrgyzstan tween the Fund and EU representatives were Projects,projects Mikhail Sinelnikov, Russia made on the occasion of the session held. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN PEOPLE / 20 Corneliu Vlad, Deputy Editor, Romania We dedicate this piece to the Brussels Session. Çağrı Erhan, Prof. Dr., Turkey TheSouthern Corridor THE POWER MAINLINE OF THE CENTURY / 22 Editor-in-Chief: Wind of change on the old Silk Road Vyacheslav Samoshkin English version: Olga Condratiuc Art Director: Dan Mihalache ______THE BRUSSELS SESSION The Magazine is being published by the International Fund For Cooperation and The Vice-President Akkan SUVER (Turkey) is also the president of a Partnership of the Black Sea and the prestigious Turkish Foundation - The Marmara Group Foundation. He Caspian Sea told about his trip to Kyrgyzstan and about the country’s leadership assurances to recommend new members for BSCSIF. A.Suver pleas for a strict budget planning regarding the Fund and he dedicated his President: Iulian Fota speech to this topic. Economic and Financial Affairs Counsellor: Marcela Curmei interview Project Manager: Natalia Ciobanu OUR MAN in BRUSSELS / 30 Counsellor: Luiza Popa ______T he Vice-President Eldar HASANOV (Azerbaijan) is called by his colleagues economy ISSN 2069 – 766X “a genuine engine” of the Black Sea THE MAIN CONCEPT OF REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA / 31 ISSN-L = 2069 – 766X Caspian Sea Fund. His energy is Printed at enviable – he is the ambassador of calendar RH Printing Bucharest Azerbaijan to Romania, and in addition THE STAR NAMED gargarin / years to that – to Serbia, Montenegro, as 32 well as Bosnia and Herzegovina. 5 E.Hasanov proposed to open new EX libris ______branches of Fund, other than the HEARTFELT DIPLOMACY / What did the Fund manage to achieve over current three, in order to expand its 34 When using the material, discovering romania / 35 the last six months? The information on that ability to establish new partnerships the reference to the magazine was communicated by its president, Iulian that will make the Fund more visible. is obligatory gallery FOTA, according to his report. The Romanian The representative of Azerbaijan also ______National Security Advisor of the President, called the BSCSIF branches to bring THE COLORS OF THE KAZAKH STEPPE / 38 Iulian Fota, leads the BSCSIF for two years, since sponsors, therefore half the funds Editorial address: its establishment. Determined to improve the collected they could leave for their BSCSIFCHRONICLE Bucharest, governance structure of the Fund, the session own needs. He proposed to develop decided to create a so-called “troika” consisting an action plan for the coming period. venue - bucharest / 13-19 Alecu Rusoo street, sector 2. 40 of the current president, former president and Based on the positive experience Tel: +40 21 211 1151, +40 21 211 1152; vice-president who will lead the Foundation of building a young project team in poetic anthology fax: +40 21 211 4094; according to the rotation principle. The Bucharest, E.Hasanov invited other POETRY ON THE ROAD / 41 e-mail: [email protected] “troika” has an advisory status and assemblies members of the Board to create similar Galaktion TABIDZE / 41 when required. teams in their countries.

4 5 Esandvent people Eventsand people

Starting with March 2011 up till March 2013, Vice-President Viktor Taking into consideration the interests KHMARIN (Russia) will take the lead as the BSCSIF president. of promoting the Fund’s image and Being a professional lawyer, he enjoys being a businessman expanding opportunities for its also and considers it a matter of creativity. “Those who relations of collaboration in the future, dedicate their own time to work at the Fund are altruists, the Brussels branch director, Marius because they think about the welfare of others: the OPRAN (Romania), recommended that environmental issues, the real, not imaginary reign of BSCSIF joined the European Policy democracy and human rights in countries of our region; they Centre ( think-tank), that concentrates work on creating control of civil society over the staff policy in a network of organizations, experts and the country and over the spending of budget money, but in officials from the European structures. the first place – on the formation of such a civil society”. M. Opran also suggested to develop national programs for countries in the region in order to promote own As Mikhail ZERNOV, director of the the Moscow branch, suggested educational process and to attract, BSCSIF Vice-President, academician Dossym to the Fund, the Board will amend the BSCSIF statute, because in this way, foreign students. These SULEYEV, has made a very long way to get to some of its articles do not comply with Russian legislation proposals, as well as the idea of inviting Brussels - from Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. All of concerning the branch associations and foundations, making the Turkmenistan representative to his huge experience of a scientist and high-school it difficult to register a branch in Moscow.T he Session has also participate in the Fund have been administrator, as well as a famous musician, he appointed M. Zernov as the chairman of the newly formed approved by the assembly. puts into service of the two seas Fund. commission on innovation and investment. the brussels session the brussels session the brusselsthe session brussels the brussels session session Vice-President Tamaz BERADZE (Georgia), historian, his old idea is to create a book, Ismail SAFI (Turkey), the director of the Istanbul branch, described its activities, a collective work, about the Black Sea. “Black Sea-Caspian Sea region – he believes – particularly two events - the conference in Cyprus, organized by his branch in gathers different cultures and civilizations, different peoples, but all of them have lots collaboration with the European University and the Economic Eurasian Organization in common, because along the history they were included in one and the same state and the conference that will be held in Istanbul on March, 2011, hosted by CWG formations, whether it was the empire of Alexander of Macedon or the Ottoman (Collaborative Working Group on Solid Waste Management in Low and Middle Empire. The Black Sea is rather connecting people, than dividing them... And the only Income Countries), in collaboration with the Istanbul branch of BSCSIF, the “Green thing dividing us now is the fact that the EU took into its ranks some of the Black Sea Partners” company, the Technical University and the Municipality of Istanbul. I. Safi countries and some of them left behind. It would be possible to show in this book also shared his ideas on cooperation with Moscow branch. about the Black Sea, the great importance of this region, as a bridge between East and West, and, moreover, this importance will grow”.

Vice-President, Eldar HASANOV and Deputy Permanent Representative of Turkey to the “The mundane” part of the Session included a dinner EU, Omer FARUK (at the right). at the “En Plain Ciel” restaurant, where the Fund leaders met Sorin DUCARU, the Ambassador of Romania to NATO (at the left), European Union representatives and Vice-President Lydia ROMANCIUC (Republic of members of the diplomatic corps. Moldova) will administrate the development of BSCSIF cooperation programs, including the subject matters and the schedule for funding applications. “The Cultural Heritage” is one of the matters on the first intake of applications for funding, proposed by L.Romanciuc and approved by the Board.

Vice-President and Board member Vadym The representative of Bulgaria, Dmitry TSVETKOV KOSTOV was accepted KOLESNICHENKO as a member of BSCSIF Board. He is a very experienced diplomat, who (Ukraine) heads the also worked within the UN senior positions. He worked as a member Fund Committee of the Presidential Council for European Integration in Bulgaria and is on matters of currently the president of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society. Legal Affairs.

6 7 thecountries of the region photo: archives THE LOYALTY

The Government TO THE HISTORICAL House in Baku

This is how Baku will look like in the VOCATION 21st century Dr. Eldar HASANOV, BSCSIF Vice-President

azerbaijan zerbaijan is the historical motherland of the Azer- baijanis. The origin of Book of Grandfather Korkut). It is 1300 years old. Just the country’s name dates like it is impossible to imagine today Greek history with- from VI-IV centuries BC out the “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, the history of the Europe- and means “a place protected by the de- ans without the legends of the Nibelungs and Roland, in Aity of fire”. Azerbaijani people is the sec- the same way we can’t imagine the Oghuz Turks past with- ond largest (after Turkey) Turkic people out the „Book of Dede Korkut”. in the world. Today on the globe there At the beginning of the XXth century, the first are more than 50 million Azerbaijanis. opera in the East was created in Azerbaijan – “Leyli and Originally, on the territory of Majnun” (1908), by Uzeyir Hajibeyov, based on the poem Azerbaijan has been practiced fire of the great Azerbaijani poet Nezami Ganjavi (1141- worship, Tengriism, Christianity. But 1209), which was called by Goethe “a prophet full of love the adoption of Islam and the spread Eldar HASANOV, a n d w i t ”. of Islamic culture in the VII-X centu- BSCSIF Vice-President ries led to the formation of religiously- T he path to independence H eydar Aliyev and his political legacy asia cultural community on a countrywide scale. Once situated In 1918, Azerbaijan was proclaimed - the first through- However, when Heydar Aliyev has taken the power in at the crossroads of several civilizations and absorbing all out the Muslim East - Azerbaijan Democratic Republic 1993, as a result of persistent demands and appeals of the the best from them, Azerbaijan has been for a long time a (1918-1920). A great contribution into its establishment Azerbaijani people, political stability in the country was bridge between East and West, North and South. Never- was made by Mammed Amin Rasulzade, Alimardan Top- restored. As a result of well-thought-out policy and reform theless today, being a part of the Turkic-Muslim world, it chubashov, Fatali Khan Khoyski and others. activity, the economy of Azerbaijan has started to get out stays true to its vocation. As a result of Soviet Russia occupation since April gradually of the crisis condition and the country em- The main book of Azerbaijanis is the series of ep- 1920, ADR was revoked and the power passed to the barked on the long road of progress. The ideas of Heydar ics „Book of Dede Korkut” (“Kitabi D d Qorqud”- The Bolsheviks. Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was Aliyev are considered to be the foundation of Azerbaijan formed and starting with 1922 till 1991 it has been a part development, at that time and in the present XXIst century. of USSR. A powerful national liberation movement for The Azerbaijani citizens strongly believe that the develop- secession from the USSR started in Azerbaijan in the late ment of our country as an independent state, which occu- Declaration of Republic May 28, 1918 and October 18, 1991 80’s of the past century. In order to suppress these move- pies a worthy place among civilized nations, and strength- Capital Baku ments, Soviet troops were introduced in Baku on January ening of this position is mainly based on the valuable Population 9.05 million people 20, 1990, committing a horrifying massacre among the heritage of our national leader. The idea of Azerbaijanism Form of government presidential Republic unarmed civilians. However, even before the collapse authored by Heydar Aliyev, operates today as a fundamen- President Ilham Aliyev of the Soviet Union a Constitutional Act “On State In- tal principle of the Azerbaijani nationhood. The present Prime Minister artur Rasizade dependence of Republic of Azerbaijan” was adopted on status of Azerbaijan as a constitutional state is tightly re- Official language Azeri October 18, 1991. lated to the dynamic development, carried on successfully Area 86,600 km (112 in the world) The war of Armenia against Azerbaijan, which began by the President Ilham Aliyev. He managed to prove that GDP per capita $ 9,953 after USSR collapse, led to 20% of Azerbaijani lands oc- the stable development of any country depends precisely Currency Azerbaijani manat cupation and formation of more than one million Azer- on the democratic processes, proper economic policies, Internet domain .az baijani refugees and persons forced to be displaced, cast long-term strategy and the development of civil society. Telephone code +994 away from the occupied lands and their homes, in Arme- By virtue of choosing an accurate course, the Republic of Time zone +4 nia. It is quite clear that this event has had consequences Azerbaijan will become one of the most modern nations in the political, economical and social life. of the international community in the near future.

8 9 thecountries of the region: azerbaijan

The richness of an ancient land Multilateral mutual relations are being established Today, Azerbaijan is a secular, independent, sovereign with the European Union. The Agreement on Partner- state of right, marching on a democratic path. The nat- Maiden Tower, ship and Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, Baku symbol Palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII c.) ural gas burns on this earth for centuries, the sea rolls enabled in 1999, calls for political dialogue, support its waves for centuries. And today, the elements of fire for democratic development, as well as economic co- and water create the foundation for economic prosper- operation and investments. In 2006 a memorandum ity of this country. on strategic partnership in the energy field between The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is a modern indus- Azerbaijan and the EU was signed. Along with the EU trial and scientific center, where live more than three enlargement to the East, Azerbaijan was included in the million people. This multi-ethnic and multi-confession- EU’s “New Neighborhood Policy”, “Eastern Partnership” Mud volcanoes al city has always been a cultural promoter in the East. and “Southern Corridor”. Azerbaijan integrates nine of the eleven climate Azerbaijan is a major energy player in the region zones of the globe: from subtropics to alpine meadows. and a key partner in the European Union. Being loyal Book miniature. Tabriz School The region has been famous since ancient times for its to its historical vocation and having its geostrategic “rare” items, still highly requested on the world market: location, it consistently confirms its important role oil and raw silk, saffron, cotton, sturgeon, caviar. This in building bridges between continents, between East From Behzad’s was the only place where unique therapeutic oil was and West. paintings (XVI c.) The weapons and armour to Nizami’s poems made by the geatest masters extracted - naphtalan. The major cities of Azerbaijan, In the matter of relations between Azerbaijan and Baku. Old City sights – of Azerbaijan were famous known far beyond the country, were – Baku, Shamakhi, Icheri Sheher NATO, it’s necessary to point out that Azerbaijan was throughout the whole East Sheki, Beylagan, Nakhchivan, Ganja and were situated among the first countries to join the “Partnership for on the routes of the Great Silk Road and the Roads by Persian gazelles, and the forests, slopes – by wolves, Peace” program. The participation of Azerbaijani mili- of Spices and Incense. Starting with the XII century, bears, lynxes, wild boars and deer. In the shallow tary forces in the peacemaking operations in Afghani- Baku became the main seaport on the Caspian Sea, a bays of the sea habits a diversified world of birds. The stan and Iraq may serve a good example of successful place where many land and sea routes around the world nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries created in the cooperation with the Alliance. converged. country contribute to the conservation and restoration Azerbaijan is the epicenter of mud volcanoes in of wildlife. Partnership potential the world, as there are 350 of the 800 mud volcanoes The Caspian Sea is the distinctive emblem of the Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the deepening existing on Earth. By the number of land and sea mud Azerbaijan nature. It is the largest lake in the world of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea partnership. Regions of volcanoes Azerbaijan ranks first in the world. These considered a sea. It has a sea salt water, sea-type cur- the Black and Caspian seas play an important role in volcanoes spout lava, dirt and liquid, which are used as rents, marine force winds... international and regional security and stability. Both raw materials for chemical and construction industries, regions have unique cultural, ethnic and religious di- as well as pharmacology. Busy with regional versity and color, dynamic economic and political life. The new subway station The nature of Azerbaijan is much diversified. On and European projects It is obvious that there is a vast potential for partner- in Baku also bears the name of the great poet its vast expanses, wide flat lowlands that lie below the Due to its oil and gas fields and balanced foreign policy, ship and cooperation. The Caspian region is extremely sea level go together with the mountain peaks, whose Azerbaijan is the initiator and main participant in re- rich in energy resources, through which a network of Azerbaijan girl height exceeds four thousand meters, burning deserts gional and some international projects. strategic transport and energy corridors from Asia to in national costume alternate with cool alpine meadows, lifeless salt marshes And all of this is basically due to its favorable geo- Europe already passes. Naturally, along with the Black with thick subtropical forests. The plains are inhabited graphical position. The integrated transport system of Sea, the Caspian and Central Asian region draws more the country, which is constantly being upgraded, plays and more attention of the European Union in terms of ture, humanitarian and social issues. And this represents an important role in the development of transcontinen- energy security, diversification of energy supply for its the main focus of the International Fund for Cooperation tal transportation directions: Europe-Caucasus-Asia growing needs and security of transport corridors. and Partnership of the Black and Caspian Sea activity, the and North-South, contributing in a tangible way to the The countries of these two regions, which have goal and objective of which is “dialogue, peace and har- international trade development and integration pro- historical relations and share borders and values are mony”. Since the establishment of the International cesses acceleration. The same purpose is served by the the more interested in the joint solution of common Fund, Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to this new energy pipelines: Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline problems in different areas: economy, democracy and prestigious organization and effectively participates in and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline. civil society development, ecology, education and cul- its activities. One of the main priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is integration into European institutions. In cooperation with the European Council, member of Baku bay at night which he is since 2001, Azerbaijan is improving its legislation by adapting it to international standards. As a part of the EC, Azerbaijani delegation works in a purposeful and productive way to model a fair Gobustan Mountains have more than 6000 stone carvings; the most position of the organization regarding the Armenian- ancient of them are 12000 years old Azerbaijani conflict.

10 thecountries of the region thecountries of the region photo: archives

XVI-XVIII centuries proved to be especially diffi- The City Hall cult for Georgia. Divided into kingdoms and principali- of the capital THE GOLDEN ties, the country had to carry endless wars with the two East superpowers simultaneously – Persia and the Ot- toman Empire. Weakened by unequal struggle, Georgia called Russia for help. Starting with year 1801 and sub- FLEECE OF FREEDOM sequent decades, as a result of wars carried by Russia against Persia and Turkey, the Georgian territories were Prof. Tamaz BERADZE, BSCSIF Vice-President included into Russian Empire and the name of “Georgia” has disappeared for a long time from the political map georgia eorgia is the most an- of the world. cient of the Black Sea After Russian Empire crashed on May 26, 1918, Tbilisi states and it broadens Georgia declared its independence. But the independ- Marriot Hotel on South Caucasus’ ence lasted only until early 1921, when the country was central and western annexed by Bolshevik Russia. Georgia had been a part part. Kutaisi is the second largest of the Soviet Union, as a soviet republic, until Decem- The country was dominated by poverty and lawlessness. Gtown after the Capital – Tbilisi and ber 1991. But everything has changed after the “Rose Revolution”, its main sea ports are Batumi, Poti when a new governance headed by Mikheil Saakashvili and Sukhumi. B efore and after the “Rose Revolution” came to power. A successful fight against corruption Georgia’s history is covered On April 9, 1991 the Supreme Council of Georgia has and criminality has started. Today, Georgia ranks 11th with myths and legends about Pro- adopted the Georgian Act on Independence Restora- among the countries with the lowest levels of corrup- ASIA metheus, chained to the Caucasus tion. Thus, a new chapter in the history of the country tion in the world; 86% of the population trust the force mountain, the Argonauts who vis- had begun. structures. ited the legendary Colchis (western Prof. Tamaz BERADZE, The first years of independence turned out to be The new leadership has begun to recover actively Georgia) searching for the Golden BSCSIF Vice-President very difficult. In the late 1991 – early 1992 a coup d’etat the economy. The country’s budget has increased 4 Fleece. Georgia is a country of agri- was produced causing civil war. In Abkhazia and Tskh- times, over the past seven years. The GDP started to culture and viticulture. Folk dances and Georgian folk invali region, the separatists captured 20% of Georgia grow fast: in 2007 it was 14%. music polyphony came to us from a distant era. territories. Nearly 450,000 people became refugees in After the Russo-Georgian war in August 2008, the The first Georgian state – Egriyskoe (Colchis) their own country. Russian Federation recognized the independence of kingdom – was formed in XV-th century BC. Initially, Since March 1992 until November 2003 the country separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Georgian it incorporated the historic Georgian territory, includ- was led by Eduard Shevardnadze. These were years of government, NATO, the European Union and other Declaration ing East and South-Eastern Black Sea coast. After the rampant corruption. Georgian budget was permanently regional organizations officially stand for Georgia’s ter- of independence May 26, 1918 and April 9, 1991 Greek colonization started in the VI-th century BC, the in deficit. Civil servants have not been paid for months. ritorial integrity maintaining. Capital Tbilisi territory of Georgia turned into a peculiar bridge be- Population 4,4 million people tween East and West, especially since the II century BC, Form of government presidential Republic when the great commercial transit route from China to President Mikheil Saakashvili Greece was crossing it. Prime Minister nikoloz Gilauri Kartli (Iberian) kingdom was formed in Eastern Official language Georgian Georgia in the IV-th century BC and according to the Territory 69.700 km ² (118th in the world) old Georgian chronicles, its first king has created the GDP per capita $ 5,057 Georgian script. Currency lari Antique Georgia is a country of a high culture. This Internet domain .ge is proved by archaeological excavations. Christianity Telephone code +995 gained an official status here in the early IV century. Time zone + 4 And two centuries later, the Georgian church became autocephalous. Many ancient temples, masterpieces of Christian architecture have survived till nowadays. Georgia has reunited by the late X-th century. In the history of this country, the period between the XII-th and the first quarter of the XIII-th century is called “the Golden Age”. This was the heyday era of Georgian ec- clesiastic and secular literature and architecture. Shota Rustaveli’s poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin”, the masterpiece of Georgian medieval literature, was cre- The official residence of the President of Georgia in Tbilisi ated during “the Golden Age”.

12 13 thecountries of the region: georgia

The Georgian ski resorts were among the best in the Batumi. A general view of the city and bay in the winter USSR until the end of 80’s. After perestroika and hos- tilities in the Caucasus, they haven’t operated for some time. Today, the resorts are being restored, there are more and more trails and lifts each year, new territories are being explored, the infrastructure is developing. Gudauri and Bakuriani are Georgia’s ski resorts that already receive tourists. Recently, the first ski trail was launched in the Georgian Svaneti winter resort. This is a new recreation The Holy Mount Mtatsminda. Narikala Fortress dates since the 4th c. and is almost the same age as Tbilisi center, even though still under construction, but having 40 kilometers of road and airport runway completed to- day. Svaneti will become a part of West Georgia tourism After the conflict with Russia, in August 2008 the Next to the zone, which also includes the new Anaklia beach resort. Narikala Fortress is the economic crisis has began in Georgia, that is, shortly St. Nicholas Church After the “Rose Revolution” in Georgia, the number before the global financial crisis. Georgia managed of tourists has been growing every year. In 2010 the to overcome crisis consequences with the help of in- The Bridge of Peace – a new country was visited by 36% more foreign visitors com- stitutional investment and its economy started to rise pedestrian bridge straddling pared to the previous year. The total amount was 2,33 since 2009. the Kura River, which unites million persons, meanwhile, more than 672000 were the old Tbilisi with its new districts EU countries citizens. and Turkey. And it also neighbors with Ukraine, Mol- From subtropics to glaciers dova, Romania and Bulgaria through the Black Sea. The Georgia’s lay is extremely diversified and complex. Manganese and Copper shortest and most convenient routes between the Black Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous. A There are numerous deposits of different types of min- and Caspian seas pass through Georgia. relatively small territory incorporates so many climatic erals in Georgia. The following deposits have a com- Its advantageous geographic location has become zones: from humid subtropical in western Georgia to mercial importance: construction materials, oil, coal, extremely important after Soviet Union collapse. Geor- permanent ice in the watershed area of the Greater mining and chemical raw materials, especially manga- gia was one of TRACECA project initiators, which is in Caucasus; eastern Georgia is dominated by moderately- nese, non-ferrous and rare metals. congruence with the European Union global strategy, wet and dry subtropical climate. The Chiaturmarganets Company performs the ex- aimed at reviving the Great Silk Road. For the recent The Great Caucasus southern slope is dissected by traction and primary processing of manganese ore from years, TRACECA has evolved into an entire Southern river valleys on the side spurs. Kolkheti, Kartli and Ala- than 700 kinds of mineral waters. Some of them have Chiatura manganese deposit. This is one of the world’s Corridor program, comprised of certain high-priority zani valleys spread out in between the mountains. healing properties. That is why there are many balneo- largest producers of manganese concentrates. The main projects, referring to development of transport and Georgia’s nature is characterized by richness and logical resorts in Georgia, among which we can name, product consumer is Zestafoni Ferroalloy Plant, being communications infrastructures in the region. a variety of landscapes. Here you can see semi-arid, foremost – Tskhaltubo. The mineral water brands in turn, a world leader in its industry. The South Caucasus Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline humid subtropical and alpine landscapes of highlands. “Borjomi”, “Nabeglavi”, “Sairme”, “Likani”, etc., are well- Madneuli mining and processing plant performs the was officially launched in the Turkish city of Ceyhan, The forests fill 38.6% of the country and in the West known abroad. extraction of semi-metallic ore out of the homonymous on July 13, 2006. The Pipe length is 1773 km. It passes Georgia humid subtropics they are very thick. field and also produces gold and copper concentrate. through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Georgia figures among first in the world in its T he revival of tourism Another energy premier for the recent years is the inland water reserves per area unit. It is particularly Georgia’s Black Sea coast, with its comfortable beaches A ll roads lead to Tbilisi Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, with the length of rich in rivers and, not surprisingly, has huge stocks of and outstanding facilities, mountain area with beauti- Georgia’s geographic position is very advantageous. It 970 km, launched in March 2007. The Nabucco gas- hydropower resources. Nevertheless, using so far only ful landscapes, healthy climate, the opportunity to go is the only country in the Caucasus bordering with all main is a quite ambitious project. Its length is 3300 km a small part of them (14%), the water-power plants con- skiing, rich vegetation, numerous monuments of nature countries of the region – Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and it will range from Caspian Sea, through Georgia structed produce more than 80% of republic’s electric- – national parks, waterfalls, caves, mountain peaks, and Turkey to the EU countries. There is a hope that ity. Incidentally, Georgia’s own water-power base covers glaciers, canyon gorges, over 12000 historic monuments The ski resort of Gudauri Nabucco construction will start soon and the EU coun- totally the internal demand for electricity. It also does – all of this creates excellent conditions for tourism tries will have a new source of natural gas. big strides towards elaboration of a renewable energy development in Georgia. Georgian government is doing Currently, a new railway route Baku-Tbilisi-Kars development program. The country has a favorable much to revive and accelerate the development of resort The subtropics of the is under construction. According to the construction investment environment, which provided billions into facilities and tourism since the “Rose Revolution”. Georgian Coast plan, a 105 kilometer line of steel will be built, 76 km of hydropower development. Moreover, Georgia already This is particularly prominent in the development which will pass through Turkey and 29 km – through exports electricity to neighboring countries and plans of a major sea resort of the country on the southwestern Georgia’s territory. In addition, the area Akhalkalaki- to transport it to the European Union via Turkey. Geor- coast of Georgia, from Ureki to the Georgian border Tbilisi-Marabda in Georgia is under reconstruction; it gia’s purpose is to become the first large-scale exporter with Turkey – the Kobuleti, Chakvi, Gonio, Kvariati, will increase its capacity to 15 million tons of cargo a of renewable energy to Europe. Sarpy resorts. The seaside town of Batumi, the capital year. Another Akhalkalaki goal is to build a switch in Likewise, Georgia is spotted by its quantity and of Adjara, turned into a Black Sea pearl. A new resort the train track, for transition from Georgian to Euro- manifold of mineral water reserves, being also on the called Anaklia in the Inguri river estuary, is under in- pean railways. Supposedly, the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars first positions in the world in this category. It has more tensive construction. railway will be launched in late 2012.

14 15 thecountries of the region thecountries of the region photo: archives TURKEY HAS 16th LARGEST ECONOMY Dr. Akkan SUVER, BSCSIF Vice-President Turkey Congratulations on the launching of the Black Sea Caspian Sea Inter- national Fund magazine - Dialogue of the Seas. Therefore, I would like to share some Cof my thoughts about my country. As the President of the Turkey Non Governmental Organization The Marmara Group, I know that we still have a long way to go. I know that ASIA we have to raise the standards of our democracy, we have to broaden its scope, and we have to enhance the Dr. Аkkan SUVER, means of participation. Our task is BSCSIF Vice-President certainly not over. Turkey aspires to become a world-class democracy and to benefit from the The House of Parliament in Ankara growing prosperity stemming from a competitive and knowledge-based economy. contributions to the establishment of a new viable inter- The structural reform process in the economy has I tell you this, as I am aware that each step we make national system. been successful. The Turkish economy has become more towards achieving this goal contributes to solving nowa- Turkey has been playing a crucial role in its multi- resilient to major external or internal shock waves since days issues one by one. dimensional region that extends to The Balkans, East 2002. It has managed to stay on course in spite of the Declaration of Republic october 29, 1923 The end of the Cold War marked a new international Mediterranean, the Caucasus and the Middle East and world economic crisis. Capital Ankara strategic environment, in which there is an abundance beyond. This unique geopolitical position has created Population 72.7 million people of pressing issues such as terrorism, extremism, energy both challenges and opportunities for Turkey. 11 percent growthe rate Form of government parliamentary Republic and food security, natural disasters, epidemics, frozen or In addressing the challenges and risks, and seizing The key factors in achieving this favorable outcome President Abdullah Gul active conflicts and remediation of countries suffering the opportunities, Turkey harbors various assets of which were “confidence”, “stability” and “predictability”. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan from disaster. the most important is its dynamic and aspiring popula- Just to give a few examples: Official language Turkish There is also a growing recognition that finding tion. • Excluding 2009, the year of global crisis, Area 780,589 km² (37th in the world) solutions to seemingly less tangible issues like global Our most important objective is to provide the na- the Turkish economy has grown at an annual GDP per capita $13,392 warming, poverty, reforming the global financial archi- tion with the highest political, economic and social average rate of 7.5 per cent during the past seven Currency Turkish lira tecture and preventing cultural polarization is becoming standards. years. Internet domain .tr increasingly urgent. The achievement of this objective will be highly fa- • As a result, Turkey has become the sixteenth Telephone code +90 cilitated if stability and peace prevail in our neighboring largest economy in the world with a GDP (in PPP Time zone +2 O ld in history, but young in regions. terms) fast approaching the trillion Dollar mark. demographics Turkish nation is old in history, but young in demo- • In the first half of 2010 Turkey scored the fastest With the emergence of new and unforeseen challenges, graphics. Our young, dynamic and resourceful popula- growth rate among the OECD economies, by 11 the international system is bound to evolve towards a tion of 72.7 million with a moderate rate of growth gives per cent. new state of equilibrium in the next decade. Turkey a competitive advantage in our development ef- • Total trade volume has reached 243 billion. We In this new global setting, Turkey continues to be forts. In other words, Turkey’s demographics are an asset are destined to reach 500 billion Dollars threshold a constructive actor in its region and to make positive for itself and its partners including the EU. in the coming few years.

16 17 thecountries of the region: turkey

• F oreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Turkey reached Mausoleum of the Turkish Republic founder – a total of 68.4 billion Dollars during the last four Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – in Ankara years (2006-2010). Even in 2009, the year of crisis, we received an FDI of 8.5 billion dollars. The FDI in the first half of 2010 was 3.2 billion dollars. • Turkey became the country which supplies secure energy to Europe. We have accomplished this by diversifying routes from different sources with new pipelines, part of them already functioning, part of them planned. • Tourism is also booming. 27.3 million tourists vis- ited Turkey in 2009, placing the country among the top ten tourist destinations in the world. Turkey was the only country which increased the number of tourists arriving during 2009. All these figures and indicators are records themselves, which could not have even been imagined before. The ruins of ancient Ephesus

A ssociation and cooperation in the Black Sea I would like to put a strong emphasis on an important The famous Ortakoy Mosque and The Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul issue – the energy association in the Black Sea Region, which would give a shape to this geography, enabling it tures created overnight by individual agreements between eco ­logy and economic relations of the Black Sea to protect the acceleration of peace, stability and pros- other Black Sea countries. I am concerned about the en- countries. It turnes out that the natural gas, known as perity. Energy security and unity in the Black Sea are the cleanest fuel, also emitts during combustion, like Bizzare rocks ergy lines that would be created politically and consider- of Cappadocia crucial for the future of Europe and for the mankind. ing only some political interests, therefore an undue and coal, carbon dioxide. I believe that we should put a joint The Black Sea energy strategies and the Caspian Basin uneven distribution of the existing capacity may result. renewable energy project into effect in the Black Sea and energy strategies should proceed from the assessment of According to my vision, the energy association is a reconsider economic requirements in terms of ecological the true value of the region. It is well known that Baku- necessity for the efficient use of existing potential to the balance and our health. I believe in the need of a total

Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum maximum extent, within the framework of equality prin- togetherness and cooperation for the Black Sea Energy. Temple of Trajan on the ruins of the gas pipeline provides extensively advantages to the global ciples and mutual interests. ancient Pergamum (today Bergum) energy security and sustainable economic development of On the other hand, where do we stand with alterna- 14th Eurasian Economic Summit Mineral springs of Pamukkale the region. I strongly believe that the Black Sea countries tive energy projects and alternative transport routes? will be held on April 13-15, 2011 need to create an energy association to prevent the emer- Which alternative energy types have the countries in this In conclusion I would like to mention about the Founda- gence of unfavorable, unnecessary and luxurious struc- region searched for so far, on their own, and continue to tion for Strategic and Social Studies of Marmara Group, search? What are their own steps taken towards transfor- where I do preside. It was established in 1985 and stands mation of wind, solar, geothermal energy, biomass ener- among the leading NGOs in the country. Saint Sophia Cathedral (it has been a mosque since 1453, but since 1934 – a museum) on the Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul gy? Which project’s efficiency and sustainability, regard- One of the major events organized by the Founda- ing natural gas, oil pipelines and electricity transmission tion is the Eurasian Economic Forum, which has as a lines is in the foreground? How many projects on energy goal finding ways to strengthen relations between the transportation through Black Sea countries are there and European Union and the countries of Central Asia, Cau- which destinations will be aimed for them? casus and Middle East. In this context, we will hold our Old woman in Where do the Black Sea countries stand in the case of 14th annual summit this year in Istanbul on April 13-15. traditional clothing emission of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases? And The previous Eurasian summit has hosted 169 officials - what are the efficiency shares of these investments and presidents, prime ministers, ministers, parliamentarians, all of these expenditures? representatives of international organizations and busi- An energy association that would be established nessmen from 44 countries. within the Black Sea area aimed to discuss all these is- For many years, the Marmara Group Foundation, sues and to turn extravagance into efficiency, would being a representative of a civil society, puts its signature form an important criterion not only for our future, but under national and international projects, studies and also for the future of humanity. I will try to bring up this activities on behalf of Turkey. Eurasian Economic Sum- issue at the Energy Sessions of the 14th Eurasian Eco- mits, Intercultural Dialogue Studies, Religious Tourism, nomic Summit that we will organize this year. the meetings of Social Responsibility Award, academic Yet I find an energy association necessary not only and social dimensional activities, are a few success exam- for energy efficiency but also for the environment, ples of the Foundation. A ntalya. Clear sea, blue sky

18 19 Projects,projects Projects,projects written by diana coman photo: archives

Diana Ioana Raluca Diana Diana Gabriela CALIN Clotaru COMAN Environmental engineer, Economical Adviser in Public Relations BUILDING BRIDGES Department of Environment International Economic Relations Representative Department Protection; Public Relations Department of projects of projects on formation Department on international economic and development of human cooperation Department of potential; Public Relations Diana Ioan Calin is a graduate of Economy and Aquisitions Department Environmental Sciences Faculty BETWEEN PEOPLE of Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj. From her point of view, Raluca Diana Clotaru is a student at International Economic Diana Gabriela Coman is a student at the Faculty of improving the quality of the environment is essential for Relations Faculty within the Bucharest Academy of Economic Journalism and Communication Sciences at Bucharest long-term development of the Black and Caspian seas Studies. She is responsible for the financial support of University. She found in BSCSIF a team of young Young enthusiasts from the Project Team region. “Here, I am surrounded by not only professionals but projects and finding opportunities of international economic enthusiasts, with whom she works with pleasure. “Here, also warm, sincere people”, said Diana, emphasizing on the cooperation within the departments in which she operates we build bridges that connect states, we are young atmosphere in the BSCSIF team. at BSCSIF. “architects” of human relations”, - says Diane. They were 331. And after an accurate her religion is to do good to people. Perfectly speaking selection, only ten have left, in fact, the English, Russian, Turkish and French and nurturing Liliana Alice Andreea best. They are young, some of them - still respect and special interest for the culture of the peoples COMAN Farcas NAIDINESCU Mediator, Department of Psychologist, Department Human Resources Specialist, students, all full of enthusiasm to do great of these two seas region, she accepted without hesitating, projects on intercultural of projects on formation Department of projects things. And, as great things are done the invitation to join the fine collective of the Fund, from relations and democracy; and development of human on formation together, the Black Sea Caspian Seas International Fund the very beginning of its existence. Department of human potential potential; Human Resources and development of human development; Department potential; Human Resources T(BSCSIF) gathered them together and offered a perfect Apart from the fact that she has thought the whole Department background for their development and implementation Liliana Coman is a student at Farcas Alice has a master’s process of selecting the project team, Natalia personally the Political Sciences Faculty within the National School degree in clinical psychology and psychological counseling Andreea Naidinescu is a student at Sociology Faculty of of the projects that bring together the people from the participated in the evaluation of each of 331 students of Political Sciences and Administration in Bucharest, at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She has a 6 years Bucharest University; she holds the position of Human specializing in International Relations and European Studies. experience in NGOs, beginning her volunteer career as a Resources Manager in this project team. The Fund gave The Fund means to her a good place to grow professionally student. Once found within BSCSIF such values as freedom, her an opportunity to implement her ideas regarding the and she is working with the same eagerness in both balance, respect, professionalism, she decided to start her importance of human resources. departments. career in a project team.

Natalia CIOBANU, coordinator of the Project Team Raisa POPA Roxana RACEU Mihai SANDU Natalia Ciobanu - the initiator and executive for the selection of a promising team of young professionals International Relations Environmental Analyst, Assistant Analyst, Consultant, Department of environmental Department of projects on in project management. “I think that we need to develop within the actual society an open-minded view Department International projects; Department of legal intercultural relations and aimed at diversification and approach on a larger scale the problems that exist in the region of the two Economic Cooperation projects; affairs and translations democracy; Public Relations seas. Being young myself, I am convinced that the young people are precisely the category we must be­ Department of legal affairs and Department Roxana Raceu has graduated gin with. I don’t think that we can imagine a better world without boldness, energy and ability to work translations from the Faculty of Environmental Mihai Sandu is a student at the of the young, sustained by the experience and wisdom of elders. This is the key to the Fund activity. The Raisa Popa is an expert in Inter­ Sciences and is currently a student Political Sciences Faculty and team youth takes remarkable initiatives and its efforts will bring certain results”, - thinks Natalia. national Relations and European Studies and is currently at the Law Faculty of Babes-Bolyai Faculty of History of Bucharest a student at both Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies University in Cluj. She believes that in the BSCSIF Fund she can University. He participates in projects related to history, and Law Faculty. “Within the Fund, I have the opportunity to perfectly combine these two chosen profiles. Roxana is working international relations and political sciences. “BSCSIF contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between the on projects regarding the environment of the Black Sea - Caspian is the perfect place to assert yourself as a young expert. countries and also to develop myself as a young professional”, Sea basin, and she keeps track of compliance between projects The establishment of the Fund is a benefit for everybody” - mentioned Raisa. and legislation of the Fund member countries. - claims Mihai. region of the Black and Caspian seas. They are accredited and young professionals included into the contest. “With as project managers and learn Russian and Turkish. the support of Mr. President Iulian Fota and permanent These young people are eager to get closer to the assistance of Mr. Vice-President Eldar Hasanov, we better. Among these initiatives we can mention the of a distorted image of the perfect woman. A very countries of the region, to make relations of friendship were able to select the top ten of the most prestigious participation at the conference of Collaborative Working important target group for the Fund represents the high and to build bridges between peoples, whose fates have universities in Romania. As a proof to this serves not only Group on Solid Waste Management in Low and Middle schools students. As a confirmation to that, there is crossed not only once during the times. the success of the group, which has already shown up, but Income Countries, which will be held in March 2011 another pilot project - “Together - for a green future!” “It is important that people of the region get to the fact that one of my team colleagues has already signed in Istanbul; the World Democratic Youth Forum of designed to enhance the sense of responsibility of high know each other, shake hands, see the similarities and a contract with a well-known international company in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea; the organization of the schools senior students towards the environment. differences between them. By virtue of this, they will live the field of financial services. At this moment, together discussion section on “Cooperation in the Black and And, in order to emphasize on the existence of a in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere”, - said Natalia with the rest of my wards, we compile the core of design Caspian Seas in the period of globalization. National shared history of the region, the team has created a Web Ciobanu. and implementation of various projects in the region” – perspectives” within the Conference “Improving the platform, providing information on the history issues Natalia has graduated from the Environmental Master said the coordinator. energy supply in Europe: a focus on Azerbaijan”, held in www.blacksea-caspiansea-history.info, where readers will program at the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj and is The members of this interdisciplinary group have October, and others. get to know what do such states as Georgia, Romania, an expert on the use of European funds and project started their activities on October 1, 2010. All the As part of BSCSIF activity, a project called “Your Bulgaria and Azerbaijan have in common… management. At the same time, Natalia is the coordinator amount of young energy and enthusiasm they invest in image is not fashion” will be launched in the social They are still at the very beginning of the road and of the young project team within BSCSIF. Natalia came 13 projects in the field of ecology, education, democracy sphere. This is a pilot project to develop the personality regard with hope into the future, in which, in addition to from the Republic of Moldova and following Thomas and economic cooperation, which, in their opinion, of young women of Romania, who have problems with the initiatives launched, they will be able to implement Paine, thinks that her country is the whole world and will change the situation in region of the two seas into social integration because of the mass-media propaganda successfully large-scale projects.

20 21 TheSouthern Corridor TheSouthern Corridor written by Vyacheslav Samoshkin photo: Archives and Paintings by Tahir Salahov

Baku-Novorossiysk oil pipeline

Baku-Supsa THE POWER oil pipeline TURKMENISTAN Nabucco gas pipeline to Central Europe (planned)

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline Trans-Caspian gas pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (proposed) MAINLINE OF THE gas pipeline

Baku, 1998. International conference on restoration CENTURY of the historical Silk Road

Secondly, the geostrategic impor- basin ranks third-largest after the Caspian Sea has begun. Consumer Wind of change tance of these countries as a tampon Persian Gulf and Siberia for its oil countries (U.S., EU and China) tend between Russia (Europe) and the reserves. In the continental shelf of to reduce its energy dependence on unstable Muslim world (Afghanistan, the Caspian Sea and its surround- traditional sources and to diversify on the old Silk Road Pakistan), a source of international ing areas lodes of 5.5 billion tons routes for energy delivery. terrorism, has increased since the in- are identified. According to some The first “project of the century” T he Black Sea – Caspian Sea region geopolitical vasion of international forces in Af- estimates, total reserves are 13,6-27,2 was developed and then the Baku- highlighting for the past 15 years and its energy ghanistan (2001) and American forces billion tons (for comparison: Kuwait Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was built in Iraq (2003). There is a struggle for has 13.2 billion tons). As regarding to and launched in 2006. Its costs, and transportation boom is quite natural political and economic influence in gas, seven trillion cubic meters have mainly supported by Americans ($ 4 this region. The major participants in already been explored, while the total billion) are high, but the efficiency and understandable. this new “big game” are the U.S., Rus- volume of gas storages is estimated to is still far from objectives. The de- sia and China. This implies another be at least 20-22 trillion cubic meters. signed capacity of the pipeline is 50 oremost, the traditional ways out on both regional and world argument for the Caucasus-Central This means that in several decades, million tons a year, but the actual transport corridor, heir of levels. Moreover, these aspirations were Asian countries to joint efforts over the Caspian region as a global oil re- filling of the pipe is still far from the Great Silk Road caravan, in tune with the interests of European their future political, economic and serve will be able to take the place of this figure. Thus, over the past four was blocked for a long time Union and with China’s strategy. In social development. the Arabian Peninsula and other oil years, Ceyhan tankers have pumped in the twentieth century 1994, Chinese Premier Li Peng brought Thirdly, the oil and natural gas regions in Africa and Latin America. 125.6 million tons of Azerbaijani and especially during the Cold War up the idea of a modern version of the available in this region comprise a oil and also partially Turkmen oil. Fperiod. And only after USSR had fold Great Silk Road. Naturally, this idea huge amount of energy resources. T he struggle It is assumed that Kazakh oil will up, followed by formation of eight new had an impetuous feedback from the And here comes the need for power- for Caspian Sea also supply this pipe. The meaning sovereign states, the situation started to countries of the region, especially Ka- ful transportation arteries to swap By all means this has caused an of the project is primarily politi- change. Having an independent evolu- zakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and even these resources, not only to Europe intense competition among world cal one and, in a certain way aimed tion, these states were looking their Romania. but also to China. The Caspian Sea oil companies; the struggle for the at ousting Russia from the region;

loaded with Chinese silk, Indian spices and precious stones, Iranian silver, criminals’ attacks and difficult climate – hot summers and cold winters – GLOBALIZATION MESSENGER Byzantine fabrics, porcelain and ceramics of the Arab-Asian world and have increased very much the prices on goods, so desired by Europeans. he Great Silk Road is the oldest colossal precursor to today’s globalization. It other goods, were passing through the deserts and oases, through Pamir That is why Europeans had no other ways than to use more frequently the started to function since the II-nd century BC until the XVI-th century, as a Mountains, Tian Shan and Altai mountains, across Murghab, Amu-Darya waterways, which have been called – Spice Route or Incense Route, and the T huge trade flow, due to transportation and communications network coming and Syr-Darya rivers. Their route laid through the territory, which today Silk Road was gradually forgotten; foremost, because Europe has slowly from China’s Far East to Europe, crossing east and west and vice versa, the longest dry bears the names of China, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, developed silk production. land portion on the planet. The Silk Road history is the story of international trade Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Syria and Europe. Important The Silk Road was also a channel for world of Chinese inventions birth and evolution. And the Silk Road means so much more. Not only goods, but branches of this network passed on to India and Russia, but there were spread – the compass, gunpowder, paper, coins and book print. In this way also knowledge was exchanged on this intercontinental axis, cultures have mutually also sea routes, the ones that Marco Polo paved and described, and which Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have spread to the Far East. interconnected and influenced themselves, great religions of the world were eventually won the competition with the overland route, being the one less This region represents a unique fusion of Indian, Persian, Western spreading and mixing with each other. The largest human civilizations have been difficult and more reliable. and Chinese influences. That is why UNESCO has initiated the program of participating in the formation of this axis for more than a millennium. The goods arriving from East and West were exchanged in oases and historical and cultural patrimony assimilation of this space with a rich and The Silk Road, named so merely in the XIX-th century by the German caravansarays, populated by merchants, pilgrims, warriors, spies and opulent heritage. Yet, we can say that the great operating and projected geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, means the totality of caravan routes that mobsters. The length of the route, numerous halts and trade points, many transcontinental power mains are gradually becoming modern replicas to crossed Europe and Asia, from the Mediterranean Sea to China and Korea. Caravans dangers faced by travelers in the territories inhabited by warlike people, the Silk Road, Spice and Incense Route.

22 23 TheSouthern Corridor

but the important thing is that it Constanta-Trieste would be useful The intergovernmental agreement bypasses not only its territory, but to us”. Astana’s interest for this route on Nabucco project was signed in also the congested and inconvenient can be explained for two reasons: Ankara in July 2009. In the year Black Sea channels, and this denotes firstly, once the biggest Kashagan 2012 works are expected to start, in its special value. In the same time, oilfield is being explored, Kazakh- order to launch this important gas Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline stan will get an additional 50 million pipeline till the end of 2014. was created. tons of oil per year, and secondly, The strategic significance of the As to alternative oil flows to the KazMunaiGaz national Kazakh project for the participating coun- Europe, one of them promises to be company owes today 100% shares tries is proven by the fact that, for A terminal at the Turkish port of Ceyhan

on a Ukrainian route. Recently, the of Rompetrol Romanian company, example, in Romania it is included last year. The European Union plans 2011-2014 will be 120 billion cubic meters, and the republic will re- presidents of Ukraine and Azerbai- which includes two refineries: Petro- into the Energy Strategy till the to receive in the coming years 8-12 meters. In 2011, the country will trieve and have available such extra jan - Viktor Yanukovych and Ilham midia (in the Black Sea) and Vega. year 2020. billion cubic meters of Azeri gas by produce 29 billion cubic meters, and amounts in 2014-2015. Aliyev agreed to increase shipments It is important to note that Azer- It is required to build an un- ITGI pipeline (Turkey - Greece - in 2014 - 32 billion cubic meters. We There is also the AGRI project of Azeri oil through the Odessa- baijan is able to supply oil to the derwater pipeline from the port of Italy). It will be connected to already cannot exclude the participation of (Azerbaijan - Georgia - Romanian Brody pipeline. This will be possible Black Sea through two pipelines: the Turkmenbashi to Baku in order to existing Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas Azerbaijan in the Nabucco project. Interconnector), which involves de- primarily due to Azerbaijan’s plans Baku-Supsa and Baku-Novorossiysk. transport gas from Turkmenistan. pipeline. The launching is set on According to existing estimates, in livery of Azerbaijani liquefied natu- to increase oil production. For ex- If necessary, they can be used for But it is unlikely to accomplish this year 2012. order to obtain minimum profit- ral gas (LNG) to Romania through ample, in years 2011-2014 in this Kazakh oil transportation. Negotia- in the foreseeable future due to the The cumulated gas produc- ability, the pipeline should be filled Georgia (Kulevi port) and the Black country, 223 million tons will be tions in this direction are already unresolved question of the Caspian tion in Azerbaijan for the years with additional 10 billion cubic Sea. Ukraine also shows some inter- extracted; in particular, the annual happening between KazMunaiGas Sea legal status; this issue hasn’t production in 2014 will amount 62.4 and SOCAR (State Oil Company of been solved even on the recent Baku million tons. Azerbaijan Republic). Summit of Caspian region states, The European and regional On the other hand, the option held on November 18. It is assumed projects provide the of energy resources swapping from The idea of Nabucco that the next attempt will be made construction of new roads and the east coast of the Caspian Sea is Another project of the Southern in 2011 at the Summit in Russia. railways and the modernization of the old ones considered practical and this fact Corridor from the series of alter- Having these clauses, a consortium was confirmed by Azerbaijan and native projects is the Nabucco gas of European companies is analyz- Kazakhstan. According to President pipeline, although, his designed ing the opportunities of Turkmen Ilham Aliyev, “The oil of neighbor- capacity is not very high (31 billion gas transportation to Europe via the ing countries, located on the east cubic meters per year). The original Caspian Sea in a liquefied form (3-4 coast of the Caspian Sea may be idea of Nabucco was to organize the billion cubic meters a year) starting transported through the territory of supply of gas from Iranian fields in with 2014. Hypothetically, this is Azerbaijan to the Ukrainian mar- the Persian Gulf. But in 2006, as the possible, but it would require a con- ket”. “And this project – he said – relations between NATO countries struction of gas liquefaction plant will also contribute to a better inte- and Iran have downgraded, because on the Turkmen coast and a termi- gration of the Black Sea and Caspian of the Iranian nuclear program, the nal for receiving and re-gasification Sea region countries. Thus, we will idea of receiving gas from Azerbai- on the Azeri coast. create another very reliable energy jan and Turkmenistan came out. A There is also another circum- The Georgian port of Poti corridor that will connect the Cas- pipeline would be connecting the stance: after all, is not clear how Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pian Sea to the markets of Ukraine eastern border of Turkey to Baum- much gas can Turkmenistan deliver, gas pipeline and the markets of Europe”. garten in Austria, passing through whereas it is already supplying 30 The President of Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. billion cubic meters a year through Nursultan Nazarbayev talks in the The shareholders of the project the Turkmenistan-China gas pipe- same spirit about the Precaspian are Bulgarien Energy Holding (Bul- line, launched in 2009. resources, but he has in mind a garia), Botas (Turkey), MOL (Hun- The European Union is able to somewhat different route: “It would gary), OMV (Austria), RWE (Ger- get gas in limited volumes from be nice to open a new route for oil many) and Transgaz (Romania). Azerbaijan, bypassing in this way, transport across the Caucasus cor- Each shareholder owns 16,67% of Russia. Azerbaijan has already some ridor, meaning through the Caspian Nabucco Gas Pipeline International opportunities in this sense. While Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Gmbh, established on June 24, 2004. domestic needs are 10-11 billion cubic Black Sea, and further, on tankers And the EU is ready to allocate meters, 28 billion cubic meters were to Romania. In this case, the project €7.9 billion for the construction. produced from its gas fields in the

24 25 TheSouthern Corridor TheSouthern Corridor

strengthening their economies, to the authority and confidence he infrastructure and human welfare, enjoys in the business environment, embedding European standards he can act as a guarantor for private in the fields of democracy, human investment in the region. rights, civil society development and The construction of Olympic strengthening dialogue and religious complex in Sochi for 2014 Winter harmony – that is on what the Black Olympics will contribute a lot to Sea Caspian Sea International Fund the modernization of transport and (BSCSIF) aims its activities – inevi- tourism infrastructure in the region. tably strengthens the stability and Russia actively participates in

Bucharest, April 2010. The signing of the Memorandum on cooperation security in the region, weakens the the development of transport cor- regarding liquefied gas transportation, between Azerbaijan, Georgia position of international terrorism ridors in the south. Together with and Romania. Later, Hungary joined the project, too. and drug trafficking, therefore being Kazakhstan, it increases the rail and beneficial to Russia. This policy for road transit of goods from China active participation in this regional to Europe. In addition, there is a est to the Azerbaijan’s LNG, but this where the first step towards registra- the very beginning the political and year. An underwater railway tunnel cooperation has been already fixed project of transportation corridor will require a re-gasification termi- tion of the TRACECA Intergovern- economical independence of the CIS is being built in Turkey under Bos- in Russia’s foreign policy strategy “North-South”, the agreement on nal construction in Odessa. mental program (Transport Cor- Black Sea-Caspian Sea region coun- phorus in Istanbul, which will pro- since year 2002. Therefore, her which was signed between Rus- It is expected that Europe’s de- ridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) were tries, and subsequently – the Basic vide a direct link to the European participation in the BSCSIF project sia, India and Iran in September pendence on imports of natural gas made. Here, the agreement on EU Multilateral Agreement on Interna- railway network. All of these lines seems quite natural. 2000. Later, Belarus, Kazakhstan, will grow and will reach by 2020 financing the technical assistance on tional Transport for Development of are part of the high-speed rail Cor- Russia’s government is doing Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, three quarters of the total demand development of the European East- the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Cor- ridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia. everything to raise the economic Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Tur- for gas. This means that the need West transport corridor, crossing ridor member countries. In 2009, the Corridor has trans- and social standards of its North key, Oman and Syria have joined it. for additional volumes of natural the Black Sea through Caucasus and What specific projects does ported 56 million tons of cargo, Caucasus, to increase the inflow of The project “North-South” has three gas will be at least 60 billion cubic Caspian Sea, with access to Central TRACECA program include and including bilateral traffic between investments in there, both public sketch routes to Iran: 1) via Kazakh- meters. Asia, was signed. It was conceived how do they run? members, which is lower than in and private, to create more jobs stan and Turkmenistan, 2) via Azer- According to the Romanian as an alternative to a more northern EU has allocated until year 2002, 2008. and improve the social and cultural baijan or 3) across the Caspian Sea. professor Radu Dudau, the Nabucco Trans-Siberian railway and highway €50 million to finance technical However, in recent years, the infrastructure. For poverty, by the The end points of the corridor in the competitors include not only the passing through the territory of Rus- assistance projects and has spend interest of European Union to way, is one of the factors conducive north are: the Baltic ports of Russia, South Stream project, promoted by sia. The integration of this corridor more than €100,2 million on invest- TRACECA project has lowered to recruit fighters-separatists from as well as the passing points on the Russia, but a series of other, already into the trans-European transport ment projects for the rehabilitation down. The expectations from this the North-Caucasian youth range. border with Finland, Belarus and existing gas pipelines and “tan- networks is also foreseen. Naturally, of road and rail arteries, port infra- project have not been yet justi- In this context, the appointment Baltic countries; and in the south: gles” with their infrastructure, like the TRACECA is also regarded as a structure, terminals, cargo contain- fied, because of the geographical of Alexander Khloponin as a pleni- Iran’s Persian Gulf ports, where Turkey-Greece-Italy (ITGI), Trans- booster for the development of eco- ers, ferryboats starting with the complexity of the route, as well as potentiary representative of the Rus- goods are being shipped to India by Adriatic Line, AGRI and others. nomic relations and trade along the Black and Caspian seas up to Ily- organizational difficulties in trans- sian president in the North Cauca- sea. However, the development of Corridor. ichevsk near Odessa and to Bishkek porting goods across the borders of sus is significant. He is very appreci- this corridor requires the construc- The EU interests In 1996, Ukraine and Mongolia in Kyrgyzstan. the participating countries. ated for his qualities of a successful tion of a new railway across Ka- In the early 90’s the EU was dealing joined the TRACECA program, then According to the project, which businessman and an efficient gover- zakhstan and Turkmenistan, while a with the condition of the Caucasus – Republic of Moldova and in 2002 started in 2007, the railways of Russian interests nor of Krasnoyarsk region, also due large share of cargo traffic between and Central Asia transportation – Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Azerbaijan (from Baku), will be The accelerated development of infrastructure – their road, rail and But the key moment was sign- connected to the railways of Turkey the Black Sea - Caspian Sea region, The liquefied gas is being transported on particular ships – LNG carriers with spherical maritime arteries, concerning the ing the Basic Multilateral Agree- by the railways in Georgia. For this which includes Russia’s North Cau- or membrane tanks development of new routes between ment on International Transport purpose the route of the Baku- casus, is objectively beneficial for Europe and Asia, reducing time for Development of the Europe-the Georgian border, having the length her from several points of view. and costs for cargo transportation, Caucasus-Asia Corridor, on Sep- of 503 kilometers is set into motion. This region is the most vulner- but also, of course, general devel- tember 8, 1998, at the International It is supposed that a steel railway able to Russia from a security stand- opment of economic relations and Conference on restoration of the is to be built from the Akhalkalaki point, because of the two resulting trade along the Southern Corridor. historic Silk Road, held in Baku. The station in Georgia to Kars station in threats – international terrorism, On the 3rd of May, 1993, ministers Agreement contains an annex on the Turkey. The project cost is estimated which feeds the North Caucasus of transport and trade of the eight international road and rail trans- at $800 million, which is equally separatism, and drug trafficking (we countries, former Soviet republics port, international trade marine assumed by Azerbaijan, through can say that the “Silk Road”, in the (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, navigation, customs and registration providing credit for Georgia, and sense drug transportation, unfortu- Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Arme- procedures. Turkey. In the future, this route is nately, already exists). nia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), were We should emphasize the fact expected to have a transport capac- Therefore, the full coopera- invited on a conference in Brussels, that EU has aimed to support from ity of 25 million tons of cargo per tion of the countries in the region,

26 27 TheSouthern Corridor TheSouthern Corridor

Russia and Iran is carried by sea. the Caspian Sea on tankers, in or- this year the feasibility study for the There is another mega-project der to pump it into the pipe and project, in case the pipeline will pass examined by Russia and Kazakh- pay for use of pipelines. Then, on through Romanian waters and ter- stan. This is a plan of new connec- the Black Sea, the oil is loaded on ritory. For each of the two countries tions between the Caspian and Azov ships again. The costs are high. Cur- the option of disbranching from the seas. There are two options: channel rently, only the transfer via the CPC main thread stays on, which would “Eurasia” (revival of the Stalinist costs $ 38 per ton, and through the mean not transit, but only delivery project – the 740-kilometer Manych Baku-Ceyhan pipeline - even more to the consumer. channel, from the Azov Sea through expensive, while transportation by As to the technical parameters Krasnodar and Stavropol, which tankers through the channel will be of the South Stream pipes, they are: has been frozen once World War less expensive. capacity - 63 billion cubic meters a II begun) or the construction of a The end of the last year brought year, or 35% of the total annual Rus- second line of the Volga-Don chan- yet another news from the region: sian gas exports, launching - year nel (1065 km. length). The Moscow before visiting India, the Russian 2015, the estimated construction Hydroproject Institute has already President Dmitry Medvedev told cost (here is the most vulnerable accomplished the necessary studies, about the possible participation of point of the project) - from €19 up while the two leaders should take Russia in the TAPI gas pipeline pro- to €24 billion. The French com- the final decision. ject (from Turkmenistan through pany EDF may join those two main According to the Russian Prime Afghanistan to Pakistan and India), shareholders of the South Stream Minister Vladimir Putin, this pro- the idea on which discussions have – Gazprom and Italian Eni (holding ject “would also radically change the been made for 15 years. The length 40% shares each). geopolitical situation of the Caspian of the pipeline - 1735 km, capacity Oil platforms on the continental shelf point out the rebirth of oil extraction in the Caspian Sea, states and allow them to become sea - 33 billion cubic meters of gas per The Caspian Sea but also the need of strengthening the fight against environmental pollution powers”. But the economic aspect is year, preliminary cost - $7,5 billion. juridical state the important one. The main cargo Earlier, at the Ashgabat Summit, The problem of the new status of on the new path is oil. 20 oil and the four direct participant countries the Caspian Sea occurred imme- shipping channel, and, respectively, baijan are considering new propos- it was signed by the Prime gas fields are found and more than have signed an intergovernmental diately after the emergence of new free navigation. In the same manner, als referred to the diversification Minister of Hungary. Bulgaria 250 promising oil-bearing areas are framework agreement on the “prac- three littoral states - Azerbaijan, the delimitation of national coastal of energy transportation routes to has also expressed its interest in identified on the Caspian shelf. The tical” beginning of this project. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. But zones and shelves will occur accord- the EU countries. In April 2010, the participating in the project. forecasted resources of oil fields are The gas supply is expected to unfortunately, this problem has not ing to this law. But it seems that, at “Memorandum regarding mutual The joint venture AGRI LNG estimated around 6-10% of world be from Dovletabad field, whose yet been solved on none of the three this moment all parties are willing understanding on cooperation in the Project Company, headquartered in reserves. For the present, a consider- reserves are estimated at 1,7-4,5 tril- summits of the five states of the to work out some midpoint option. field of supply and transportation of Bucharest, which will be responsible able proportion of Kazakh hydro- lion cubic meters. However, many region. However, on the last one, in Until the status of the Caspian liquefied natural gas” between Azer- for project, is already registered in carbons is being pumped through experts consider the TAPI project Baku (November 2010), the light at Sea is not clear, the construction baijan, Georgia and Romania was Romania. Its founders are Romgaz risky because of the difficult situa- the end of the tunnel has showed of transcaspian gas pipeline from signed in Bucharest. This relatively (Romania), SOCAR (Azerbaijan) tion in Afghanistan and in Kashmir. up. Preparing for signing the con- Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan – the not expensive project, called AGRİ and GOGC (Georgia). It is expected Nonetheless, the South Stream vention on the Caspian Sea status, countries lobbying for this project – (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania In- that the EU will take part in fi- gas pipeline project has a strate- which may occur at the next summit is not possible. The Caspian pipe is terconnector), yields for transporta- nancing the feasibility study of the gic importance for Russia. It must in Russia in 2011, diplomats should designed to be the basis for the in- tion of natural gas from the Caspian project, also in its implementation, pass under the Black Sea and then develop proposals on a national ternational Nabucco project. Russia Sea through the Black Sea waters to since, as much as Nabucco, AGRI through Romania or Bulgaria to coast zone scale, on the basis of 24- sticks to the environmental issue of Europe, by joining efforts of three will work towards the development the Central and Western Europe. 25 nautical miles. the project and does not agree with countries. In this case, Azerbai- of European energy infrastructure in The final decision of the Black Sea The stumbling block is how to the construction of such a pipeline. jani gas will be liquefied in Kulevi the Southern Gas Corridor. route is still pending: the Gazprom deal with the Caspian Sea – a lake or Russia believes that due to the en- (Georgia) and then transported company is considering both Roma- a sea? If this is a sea, which opposes closed body of water of the Caspian to Constanta on particular ships, nian and Bulgarian versions. A joint to Russia and Iran opinion, then the Sea-Lake, there will be an inevitable where it will go through re-gasifica- danger of environmental catastro- tion process. In the first stage, from In this article we touched on only some as- phe, which can have by far terrifying three to eight billion cubic meters of pects of the historical awakening to a new consequences than the recent disas- gas will be supplied a year, later – up life of the ancient intercontinental main. The ter in the Gulf of Mexico. to 20 billion. palette of this economic recovery is far rich- the Caspian Pipeline Consortium venture agreement on design and international maritime law will be On September 14, the er. For example, one of the most important (CPC). There are other routes, such construction of the pipeline on Bul- applicable, and the Volga, along with O ne more alternative declaration of support for the aspects is the joint efforts of countries in the as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipe- garian land was signed in November its channels, Volga-Don and Volga- Meanwhile the construction of the AGRI project was signed in Baku. region aimed at environmental protection. line. But in any case, the Kazakh 2010. In turn, the Romanian side Balt with access to open seas, should Nabucco gas pipeline is for some Together with the presidents of And we will constantly come back on this side is compelled to ship oil across should finish in the first quarter of get the status of an international reason delayed, Romania and Azer- Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania, matter on the pages of our magazine.

28 29 interview economy interview recorded by mihai sandu photo: archives photo: archives

ariusran Op is a member of the European Economic and Social Committee Executive Bureau and its rapporteur. He works as an expert in international THE IDEA relations and scientific research within BSCSIF and its Brussels branch director. Our correspondent talked with him about the opportunities of EU cooperation with the Black Sea MCaspian Sea region countries. THAT UNITES US Academician Gheorghe DUCA OUR MAN he socio-economic initiatives presented by In reference to that, I would like to note that compar- communists and democrats during parlia- ing to 1995 the share of gross added value in GDP, cre- mentary elections in Moldova, their promises ated by the processing industry in Moldova in 2008, has to eradicate poverty and ensure an European dropped down from 22,8% to 11,3%. For comparison, the in BRUSSELS future to our country have one common de- figure in 2008 in EU countries was equal to 19,8%. In the nominator able to unite the entire society. The accom- agricultural sector, traditional for Republic of Moldova, Tplishment of these promises is possible only once with the during the same period, this marker dropped down dra- What are the European Union countries (about €175 million), pilot revival of the real economy. matically from 29,2% to 8,8%. programs and projects referring programs on regional development, After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Republic On the other hand, the economic liberalization does to the Black and Caspian seas aimed at leveling differences in of Moldova has quickly liberalized its foreign trade and not ensure protection for the domestic market and it can region? economic and social development economy as a whole. The spontaneous opening of Moldo- marginalize or even extinguish the local economic agents, The EU is developing the “Black Sea of partner countries (about €75 mil- va for the global market, in the absence of a clear-cut exit who are not able to compete today on equal positions with Synergy” program, consisting specific lion); implementation of “Eastern strategy from the “socialist crisis”, led to a sharp decline their counterparts from developed countries. In a coun- initiatives in such areas like transpor- Partnership” multilateral dimension in living standards and de-industrialization of the coun- try where, at this moment, the necessary entrepreneurial tation, energy, marine management, in accordance with the European try. From being a middle developed country, Moldova has culture lacks - domestic economic agents work in inauspi- environment, fishery, migration, fight Neighborhood and Partnership turned into the poorest state in Europe. cious conditions, because of the instability of economic, against organized crime, information Framework Program for the years The period after declaration of independence is charac- banking and administrative infrastructures. society and cultural cooperation. 2010-2013 (approx. €350 million). A terized by deterioration of quality of life, although a posi- Thus, it is necessary to prevent the complete collapse The EU proposed a new cross-border permanent assistance is being pro- tive trend has appeared in recent years. This trend is fea- of the economy. It is crucial to find remedies reducing cooperation program, involving local vided to such regional initiatives in tured by the evolution of the Human Development Index the described risks above in order to help domestic firms. authorities of the region and actively transportation and energy, as INO- (HDI) compiled within the UN Development Program. In this sense, we must emphasize on preferential access supporting the activities of NGOs. GATE and TRACECA. Yet, the Incomes marker is the most vulnerable for Mol- of our entrepreneurs to the developed country markets, In my opinion, here is precisely the dova. If in 1990 this index was equal to 0.5, then in 2010 it’s which is risky, because it contributes to the development What sources of financing do Could you name some specific matter, in which our organization only 0.46. For comparison: in 2010 for Ukraine it was 0.57, of industries with high labor intensity, to the detriment of exist for such projects? examples of funding? should and can play an active role; for Romania – 0.67, for Poland – 0.72 and 0.83 for Germany. knowledge accumulation and technological development. “The Eastern Partnership” Project One of the projects is the ring high- that is to obtain from the European Thus, Moldova’s economical development is in worst For this reason, in order to have a successful economic launched in Prague on May 7, 2009 way around the Black Sea, having a Commission the recognition of condition, which, respectively, affects in a negative way development, Moldova should pay a special attention to stipulates a substantial increase in the 7.000 km length. The other one – the being the most important EEAS the quality of life. issues of economic cooperation with developed countries, level of financial engagement of the EU declaration of “Henri Coanda” Bu- potential partner regarding the de- It is well-known that the positive trends in Moldova’s as there is a direct connection between the economic towards Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, charest International Airport as the velopment of EU external relations macroeconomics in the recent years are basically coming structure of the state and its viability as an independent Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The official stopover hub during the Win- with the countries of the Black and from the large influx of cash remittances from abroad. economic and political entity. European Commission has allocated ter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014. Caspian seas, including the official However, the current situation does not ensure a sustain- Currently, the country’s economy depends on re- €600 million for the period of 2010- confirmation of this status. able development of Moldova on a long term and repre- sources coming from outside, supposedly with external 2013, including the amount of €350 What is being done at the EU sents an erroneous model of temporary economic growth economic and political influence, while the main concern million of new funds. Central and local level, in order to support the What role can a young BSCSIF aimed at consumption. of the political class in the country is focused on solv- governances, small and medium enter- efforts of BSCSIF Fund? project team play here? The election campaign is already behind, therefore, ing minor issues. The real problems faced by society and prises and civil society organizations Even though a new European ex- They are young professionals, relying on a civilized and balanced dialogue, the economy entrepreneurs are solved by provisional measures with fi- are able to use these funds. ternal action service (EEAS) was with strong computer skills, revival must be declared as a national idea. This idea, in nancial support and advice from outside. The Moldovian established, on the decision-making English and financial-banking our opinion, will unite the society and put an end to the political class ignores the fact that the capitalist economic In what way are the funds being level there is a tacit recognition that terminology knowledge. We want period of uncertainty and controversy. model is based on the principle of competition, not on distributed? EU lacks experience and informa- to prepare a generation of young In order to improve the condition of the national mutual aid. In a capitalist environment you must rely on The resources will be used for three tion on how to build relations with project managers, able to achieve economy, it is necessary to create in the country an inno- your own efforts and competence and the one who is not main purposes: institution build- the new states formed in the Black remarkable success on a medium vative industrial sector, able to produce goods with high enough competitive is doomed to extinction. The coun- ing programs which promote the Sea - Caspian Sea region, after So- and even long term, as an outcome added value, based on the use of new technologies and tries threatened to be extinguished are called to be in a administrative reforms in partner viet Union crash. of global trends predictability. knowledge-intensive areas of the service sector. legal incapacity. In the top 2010 countries in a legal inca-

30 31 economy calendar text and photo: Vyacheslav Shalaev

pacity, made by Foreign Policy Magazine, the Republic of Moldova ranks the 58th. In this context, the Moldovian Academy of Sciences THE STAR called the political forces of the country for cohesion, for the major strategic priority is to ensure economic growth of the Republic of Moldova in order to create a prosperous years society in a state of law. NAMED The high cost of raw materials and energy resources is a major obstacle for the economic development of Mol- dova. Therefore, innovations in the economic sphere are the only way to revive national economy. Moldova faces ing the poet’s moral transparency, who “had the chance Therefore, the poem “Year5 1961” was born problems of a systematic type and their solutions must be YURI not to knock on doors, that now are compromised and are and he translated it with the help of his friends comprehensive and based on the triad: Education – Sci- compromising”. into five languages, Sanskrit, Urdu, Russian, ence and Innovation – Economic development. his year, April 12th marks 50 years since the The particular temper and originality of the poet, had English and French, and now he publishes it in al- One thing is certain: the Republic of Moldova should flight of the first cosmonaut of the Earth - Yuri been revealed this time too, when he decided to publish a ready six languages, including Romanian, in a book rely on its unique treasure to be supported in its devel- Gagarin. And not only Russia is getting ready to book with only one poem, translated into five languages. with a special graphical representation. By virtue of its opment – human potential. Some efforts put in the field celebrate this event, but the whole world, as Ga- It is dedicated to the star named Yuri... uniqueness, this book will surely become a rarity. of innovative education, science and innovation can lead garin is a history of mankind. We can say that The space theme sunk into the soul of the poet right The originality George Canache’s project consists in to positive results in economic terms only if following his deed changed the world into a better place: the people of after the flight of Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. At that the amount of copies printed, which is equal to the number the steps: Tthe whole planet have once again felt part of one big family... time, George was 10 years old. Like many of his peers, he of cosmonauts (astronauts, taikonauts) who reached the • de velopment of industrial policy that will ensure the But the Romanian poet George Canache is going to cele- collected stamps and matchbox labels on the space theme, space from the beginning of its exploration till nowadays. welfare of the population and the simultaneous growth brate this anniversary in his own way. He has a personal gift was interested in literature on space expeditions. Once the copies are numbered, he will send a book to every- of the economy as a whole; to all cosmonauts/ astronauts of the planet, but especially to Many years later George met Dumitru Prunariu, the body, so that receivers would get the number corresponding to • b uilding a society with a considerable proportion of a the Gagarin family... first Romanian cosmonaut. In 2001, celebrating the 20th the order of space flights. Naturally, he would like to send the strong middle class; George Canache was born and raised in Bucharest. His anniversary of his flight aboard spacecraft “Soyuz 40” and first copy to Gagarin family – to the widow Valentina, which, • formation of an economy based on highly profitable ac- grandfather was the mayor of a nearby commune Tamadau space laboratory “Saliut 6” (by that time he was already as he knows, lives in Zvezdnyi town near Moscow, to her tivities with a high level of diversification (deepening – the one that hosted the airfield, where prominent figures a general and Chairman of a Sub-Committee within the daughters Elena and Galina, and certainly her grandchildren, the division of labor), by the means of inclosing modern of the Romanian opposition tried to fly abroad in 1947, flee- UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), cos- one of whom is also named Yuri... Moreover, once George has technologies and latest discoveries into the economy, ing from the communist government. During the investiga- monauts and astronauts from Russia, United States and made a pleasant discovery to find out that Yuri is one of the development of innovative and entrepreneurial culture; tion, his grandfather gave no indications that could hurt other countries have gathered for a traditional meeting at Russian versions of the name of George (St. George!), meaning • in volvement and integration of foreign currency into the the captured group of escapees. George’s father had worked the Bucharest Muzeum of Aviation. And the director of that George Canache and Yuri Gagarin are namesakes... country, including remittances of migrant workers, in until 1945 in the state archives and then he got arrested, as the Muzeum, Paul Sandache, a good friend of George, has Here is the poem, where the author has given the name - order to implement national innovation projects; a class alien element and placed into the Romanian Gulag, invited him to this meeting. 1961 - in binary computer code: • de velopment of industrial sector and high technology to dig the Danube-Black Sea channel; but he was released George remembers seeing the stellar pioneers “alive”, activities in the service sector, aimed to increase the two years later and acquitted. The settling down of the com- being whirled in a Romanian folk dance Perinita, by the added value per capita; munist regime in Romania was associated with the presence wives of cosmonauts and astronauts, and symbolically 11110101001 • es tablishing prerequisites in order to bring qualified of Soviet tanks. Despite the family circumstances mentioned kissing them – according to the dance ritual – with the staff into the national economy, as well as enhancing the above, George Canache has always manifested interest knee bent down on the shawl laid on the floor... A river jetted to the Skies: growth of qualified workforce as a whole, leading to a towards Russia, he loved Tolstoy and Esenin. Working in Thus, the friendship between George and the first «О Господи, сделай, не падала чтобы звезда!»*) – transition from the existing economic model based on the cinematography and being a member of the Romanian Romanian cosmonaut began. The poet had meditated a the export of labor to a model based on the export of Filmmakers Union, he admired the films of Andrei Tarko- lot about space, about Yuri Gagarin and his flight. George THE STAR Yuri prayed! – products and services with high added value; vsky, especially with the “genial” “Andrei Rublev”... is, as all the Romanians are, a religious man. He read that THE STAR Yuri prostrated! – • m odernization of the productive structure of the econ- In his youth, George was well acquainted with “the great Gagarin was descended from a simple family of Christians And those from the TERRA-ARK: omy and its integration in regional and global levels, blond”, the poet Nichita Stanescu, who has played a special from the Smolensk region, which honored the traditions of Oh, Lord, oh Mighty Lord! Let not a star fall down!» – leading to overall economic growth; role in his fate. He saw in Canache’s poetry “something their ancestors. Once, he had a clear picture (it was a kind The TERRA-ARK prostrated! • C hisinau transformation into an economic center, which diamond” (“can see the light through the diamond”), which of poetic vision): Gagarin aboard Vostok 1, the first human will create favorable conditions for the development of had strengthened in the young poet the faith in his literary on Earth orbit. Then George remembered Prunariu’s words Anno Domini, when a tear drop first floated.**) highly profitable activities, additional opportunities and vocation. about his flight: “You feel like you are the master of the synergies for the country as a whole and for the agricul- Since his first publication in the literary press, George world, but at the same time you can die at any moment...”. Exactly - “floating” and not “rolling”, because it was a tear, tural sector in particular. Canache had surprised the audiences and critics with his And then George imagined that Yuri Gagarin, in a moment the first tear at zero gravity! So, through the “diamond” of his poetry, the Romanian poet We believe that the presented suggestions should help extreme brevity and expressiveness of lyrics, similar to the of an extremely dangerous enterprise, as if praying for him- saw the light of a living star named Yuri, who half a century after bring together all political forces and also the real economy, Japanese haiku. Everybody was surprised that he published self and his young family – as, in fact, down on Earth, along its appearance on the celestial orbit, acquires the features of a in order to redirect the Republic of Moldova on the path of his first (and so far the only one) book of poems, so late – with his wife Valentina there were his two beloved daugh- fairytale hero, beloved by all earthlings... growth and engage the national intellectual potential into only in 2007. A former chairman of the Romanian Writers ters, Elena and Galina. The first prayer in outer space! The *) «Oh, Lord, oh Mighty Lord! Let not a star fall down!» – solving the problems of our society. Kvishine Union, Laurentiu Ulici saw this as a special sign, appreciat- prayer of a Christian said in mind ! In Russian! **) The poem translated into English by Julieta Rotaru

32 33 EXlibris EXlibris t ext: corneliu vlad photo: archives text: eldar hasanov HEARTFELT discovering DIPLOMACY romania uring globalization Diplomacy in Romania”. era, which shouldn’t The Ambassador, Dr. Eldar A scrap from the book “Heartfelt Diplomacy in Romania”, behave like a “clash Hasanov is in a diplomatic mission of civilizations”, for already ten years. One may by Eldar Hasanov * a new type of thoroughly sum up after a decade diplomacy in relations between of activity. And these results can be Our country is a paradise on earth… Dstates is being modeled – a more presented in a summary, as follows: Many are those who have craved it for almost delicate one, efficient, agreeable Dr. Hasanov is a foreign diplomat two thousand years. Ioan Pop de Popa and more ...human; we are talking with the most powerful public image about cultural diplomacy. American in the country where accredited. political scientist Joseph S. Nye His presence in society is not only a The author proves his knowledge ince I have been working in Romania I have the Romanian nation. The Emperor Trajan raised two makes an interesting distinction by matter of protocol. “An ambassador’s and expertise, equally to both been on many cross-country trips and have monuments to honor his victory: the famous Trajan’s discovering an auspicious outlook on mission doesn’t consist of putting Romanian and Azeri historical concluded that this is a unique country and Column, with its bas reliefs of battle scenes, which em- international dialogue between “hard on a tie”, the diplomat writes in his and cultural space, discovers an extremely interesting one. Romanians bellishes the Roman Forum to this day, and the second power”, that is, power exercised in diary, in a form of a joke or seriously, and efficiently uses Romanian- themselves like to say that they are “a Latin – “Trajan’s Trophy” (Tropaeum Traiani) in the town of a political, military and economic though, being always impeccably Azerbaijani relations, the historical island in a Slavic sea”. Their Latin origin is proven, for Adamiclisi, situated not far from the Romanian city of way and “soft power”, which operates elegant. He is known and highly and cultural interaction. Sinstance, by the Roman grammar of the Romanian lan- Constanta. It was reconstructed according to descrip- through culture. “Soft power” uses appreciated in Romania not only On the same high level is guage, the numerous historical facts and proofs, herit- tions in the twentieth century by using the stone frag- intellect as a weapon and appeals in political circles at the highest situated Ambassador Hasanov’s age and legends. ments that were discovered. Still, this long war and the to people’s feelings, pleading for levels, not only in the diplomatic “hard” Diplomacy. Azerbaijan is, One of the Bucharest central squares is even called conquest of Dacia were not the first instances of Da- rapprochement, deeper mutual corps, but also in cultural, among the countries surrounding The Roman Square. Often, when I pass by in my car, I cians and Romans crossing paths and destinies. understanding and cooperation scientific, artistic and journalistic Romania, an active partner, which, let my look tarry on the bronze sculpture of the Rome In one of the squares of the same Constanta city, between nations and peoples. This environment. His presence among using author’s phrase from the wolf feeding the future founders of the “Eternal City”, on the Black Sea shore, tourists make long stops just new type of power is exercised country’s intellectual elite has book, acts “from the heart”. The Romulus and Remus. How could I not mention here the to stare at another bronze statue of the famous Roman through what has recently started become habitual. By means of mutual visits between the heads famous lines by Russian poet Nikolai Gumilev: poet Publius Ovidius Naso. He was exiled here in the to be called – cultural diplomacy. these friendships, he got to know of two states are frequent, as the former Roman colony Tomis, by the Emperor Augus- Azerbaijan, one of the world’s deeper and closer the everyday life implementation of important “Romulus and Remus went up the hill, tus, for ten long years, until his death in AD 17. Here youngest independent states, and soul of people, among whom economic projects is. Quite The hill in front of them was deaf and dumb; he wrote the famous “Tristia” (Sorrows) and “Epistulae with an ancient and glorious he vigorously, enthusiastically and naturally, the status of the Romulus said: “There will be a city in here”. ex Ponta” (Letters from the Black Sea). He was buried history, is successfully practicing effectively delivers (also) the cultural Romanian-Azerbaijani relations “A city like the sun”, - answered Remus”. here. The statue was erected in Constanta in August (also) cultural diplomacy and diplomacy. has been recently raised to the 1887, following the initiative of the city prefect and the ambassador of Azerbaijan to This high-class diplomat sets in level of strategic partnership. The As you figured out, this is the famous wolf set in the was designed by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ferrari. The Romania, Dr. Eldar Hasanov is an motion a huge cultural arsenal, and book is full of examples on this center of Rome. Rome city authorities have offered an interesting thing is that the inhabitants of Ovidius’s outstanding representative of this plenty of projects: book selection cooperation, reason why it can be identical copy of it to the Bucharest City Hall as a pre- Italian hometown, Sulmona, were especially pleased diplomacy type. and translation, development of called a Book of friendship. In one sent in 1906, at the celebration of 1800 years since the with this sculpture as they had been meaning to raise a Being a lawyer and author of bilingual dictionaries, concerts and of diary fragments included in the end of “Trajan’s war”. monument dedicated to their great countryman in their dozens of books and more than tours for artists, art exhibitions, book, in response to a journalist In 106 A.C., the powerful Roman army of the em- city for a long time; therefore, they asked the sculptor hundreds of other works, Dr. mutual visits of cultural figures request to formulate what is his peror Trajan was finally able to conquer, after several to create for Sulmona an exact copy of the bronze statue Hasanov has in his service records and youth, establishment of country’s national specific, Dr. failed attempts, the vast territories of the kingdom in Constanta. This monument was unveiled during a top government positions, including active associations of friendship, Hasanov said without hesitation: of Dacia, with its enormous treasure. I learned about ceremony at Sulmona, in April 1925. The fact that two General Prosecutor of Azerbaijan opening of parks and monuments, Koran, the oil, natural beauty, this for the first time at home, from the movie “Dacia”, twin monuments are erected in two different corners Republic and important jobs within cooperation with various scientists, cultural richness and multinational with its impressive battle scenes, directed by the Ro- of Europe, has a profound significance and reflects the the UN system. But this high official training for young professionals composition. There are enough manian director Sergiu Nicolaescu. For the next 170 dramatic fate of the poet Ovidius. is a versatile cultural figure, who in the two countries, activities reasons to get closer to the “heart” years, these lands were administrated by Romans. Ac- The highway north from Constanta runs through practices a “heartfelt diplomacy”, for children and youth, sports of a country having in Romania an cording to the official version, the Daco-Romans were fabulous landscapes, with lakes, ponds and thickets of as he testifies in the title of his competitions, charity... and the list ambassador, whose good bilateral descendents of this historical clash and coexistence of reeds. After about thirty kilometers the landscape be- recently published book, “Heartfelt keeps on going… relations deserve him. two peoples, which would then become the basis of gins to change. We see the ruins of the ancient Greek

*) The book was awarded with the title of “Best book of year 2010” by the Bucharest Writers’ Association.

34 35 EXlibris EXlibris

colony Histria founded in the seventh century before to the law on property restitution in 2006, the castle fire stations - shortly, a modern infrastructure and cul- tion of the sun, which casts its rays exclusively from the Christ. It lasted for more than ten centuries and became was returned to the Habsburg Archduke Domenico, the tural institutions; this paved the way for the Romanian sea. (The Azerbaijani Caspian Sea coast is similar, in a ruin in the late Byzantine period, when the alluvial son and heir to its former owner - Princess Ileana, aunt principalities’ integration into Europe and cleared the this regard, to the Romanian one.) The wonderful local sands of the Danube Delta slowly isolated the former of the last Romanian King, Michael the First. way for Moldova and Wallachia’s unification in a single wines also account for the hordes of tourists holidaying important port and created a lake. On the slight slope A glance at Romanian history would be enough Romanian state on January 24, 1859. As a token of the in Romania. In the “Murfatlar” winery, situated not far descending to the port, you can see the fortress ruins, for anyone to be amazed at how much the Wallachian citizens of Bucharest’s gratitude General Kiselev, one of from Constanta, in addition to dozens of varieties of the basilica, the altar stones and the attic columns of and Moldavian voivodes have fought in the Middle the most beautiful boulevards in the Romanian capital remarkable dry and semi-sweet wines, a liqueur unique the wealthy Greek houses. An extraordinary outdoor Ages!.. And only that given will you be able to see the city- Kiselev Boulevard- has borne his name for 180 to Romania is produced- “Ovid’s Tear” - because this is museum! Several epochs blending in together! price Romanians had to pay in order to gain their free- years now. And January 24 is celebrated in Romania as the exact same land of Dobrogea we have already men- Here the Danube Delta begins, one of the breath- dom and state independence. Definitely the Ottoman an official holiday - Unification Day. tioned in connection with Ovid, soaked in the exiled taking natural beauties of Romania, the peaceful realm domination, which lasted for almost five centuries, was Another foreigner whose role was instrumental in poet’s tears, yearning for his homeland ... which provides a haven for cranes, storks, pelicans, easier for them than, let us say, for the Bulgarians - Romania’s fate was the German Prince Charles of Ho- One more generous gift of nature is the mud and and snipes. Many lakes and streams where the fishery they only had to pay the tribute, their great dukes were henzollern-Sigmaringen, invited by Romania to occupy mineral springs that have turned Romania into a world is held by the locals – Lipovans (in Russian - Old Be- designated by Istanbul, and of course there were trade the royal throne in 1866. Having sold all his property in class health resort. The famous Băile Herculane resort lievers, people who, since the time of Peter the Great, restrictions, but the Romanians were always fighting for Germany, Prince Charles built in the mountain resort of (Hercules Baths), in the south-eastern part of the coun- after the schism, have run away from Russia, from the their rights and defended them both by diplomatic and Sinaia, near Brasov, his summer residence - Pelesh Pal- try, has been known since ancient times. Since that glo- persecution of the official church). They are mainly the military means. ace, which became a masterpiece of architecture, com- rious era some bath facilities have been preserved, plac- descendants of Don and Kuban Kazaks and in the im- The greatest diplomat and military commander who bining the styles of the German Renaissance, Baroque es where the Roman patricians enjoyed sulfur baths… mediate and distant villages there are about a hundred went down in history was Stephen the Great (1457 to and Gothic. Several years ago, according to the law of Speaking about Romania and its achievements in thousand of them. Naturally, the Danube Delta is one 1504), voivode of Moldova. He was also famous for the restitution, it was returned to its heir - the last Romanian medicine, I cannot overlook the Geriatrics Institute es- of Romania’s major tourist attractions. In recent years, powerful support he offered to Orthodoxy. He built in King, Michael the First, in order to be later purchased tablished in 1952 by the remarkable scientist Ana Aslan a new form of tourism called agricultural tourism has the north of Romanian Moldova unique monasteries. by the State. Thus, the Pelesh Palace has preserved its (1897-1988), which became the first institute of its kind been blooming… They are especially valuable as European art forms as status as a wonderful museum with a rare collection of in the whole world. In this center, that became a model Another magnet that attracts travelers is the Car- the churches of Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita, Drago- European paintings, tapestries, books, but, especially, for all the similar institutions in other countries, over pathian mountainous region of Transylvania. When mirna, Arbore are embellished with frescoes, not only medieval weapons. The picturesque location of the pal- thirty heads of states and celebrities have undergone, more than one hundred years ago the Irish writer Bram inside but also on all exterior walls. So why are the ace, located not far from the mountain ski resorts of Pre- over the years, rejuvenation treatments, among them Stoker wrote his famous novel “Dracula”, he did not exterior walls of the churches painted, and most impor- deal, Busteni and Poiana Brasov, only enhances its appeal being Salvador Dali, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Neruda, even think that his child will become a touristic icon, tantly how did the murals made in the middle of the for Romanian and foreign tourists. As for the German Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy , Indira Gandhi, bringing to Transylvania more and more batches of XVI century (after the death of Stephen the Great), de- prince, he was naturalized, and at the outset of the last Marlene Dietrich, Charles de Gaulle, Josip Broz Tito. tourists from all over the world, where not only the spite the wear and tear of time and weather, get to be so Russian-Turkish war, in May 1877, Romania proclaimed Romania’s uniqueness, “its uncommon expression” novel’s action takes place, but also the action of many well preserved nowadays? Romanian experts explained its independence and he was crowned the first king of has manifested itself even during the dramatic political films based on this original story about the “Prince of to me that in the era of Turkish domination, outdoor Romania under the name of Carol the 1st. It happened in cataclysms that shook Eastern Europe in the late 80s. the Night,” the vampire. murals were necessary to function as an open book, May 1881. During his reign (until 1914) Romania saw a Unlike other countries of the former socialist camp, The Dracula myth is based on the real historical as a form of propaganda for the Orthodox religion, as period of unprecedented growth in all areas. the Romanian Revolution in December 1989 was not a figure of the great Wallachian prince Vlad Tepes, who self-protection against other religious influences. As Whatever the era we are looking at, this country “velvet” one, but bloody. However, Romanians as a na- reigned in mid XV century. An iron- handed ruler, he regards the uncanny survival of these paintings, it turns constantly acquired something new. The Romanian tion, have an inner structure, characterized by warmth, was fighting against the corruption of his own boyars out that the murals were created using the ancient tech- capital city, Bucharest, really blossomed in the period hospitable spirit, humor and a total lack of aggression. and protecting the interests of local merchants, har- nique of painting on wet plaster, which originates here between the two world wars. During these years, it In December 1989, Romanians, led to desperation assed and even impaled German traders, fighting with in the Carpathian Mountains, as a legacy from the Byz- became the city of charming and unique villas as the by all kinds of difficulties and deprivations, rebelled Ottoman Turkey, which by this time was gradually antine Empire. Due to the beauty and uniqueness of the construction law forbade copying other people’s pro- against the last communist dictatorship in Europe. The invading this part of Europe, and after the fall in 1453 azure exterior paintings, the most remarkable church is jects. In Bucharest’s historical areas, one can still see former president of Romania, who was the leader of of the Orthodoxy stronghold, - the Constantinople - , Voronet, dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the East”… residential areas whose houses are built in various this popular movement, Ion Iliescu, justly remarked he even claimed to be an Orthodox world leader. In a The Adrianople Peace Treaty in 1829 pumped fresh styles- the national Romanian architectural style known that this revolution could not have been a “velvet” word, he made a lot of enemies for himself, so gradually European blood into the development of the Romanian as “Brancoveanu style”, Moorish, French “colonial”, one, because the Ceausescu regime had a powerful his figure began to be tainted by rumors and legends principalities of Wallachia and Moldova, consolidat- German baroque or the eclectic style that incorporates repressive apparatus, nipping any emerging conspiracy about his bloodlust and brutality. He lost and regained ing the victory of Russia in the Russian-Turkish war Gothic elements. This was also a glorious period for in the bud and never without blood shedding (as it the throne several times until he died fighting with the and strengthening the autonomous status of Wallachia Romanian literature and art under the patronage of happened, for instance, in Bulgaria) as all the existing enemies. and Moldova. All restrictions on their trade on the King Charles II. opponents, were under supervision by the security Those times find a vivid expression in the archi- Danube were lifted; the economy soared, mainly due to Romania is the country of spatial and temporal service – the securitate. No “round table” was tecture of the Sigishoara medieval fortress-town, the the unbounded grain trade. The Organic law - the first diversity. As a rule, Romanians divide their holidays admitted, as in the case of Poland, because birthplace of the Wallachian voivode’s father, where the constitution for Wallachia and Moldova, was elaborated between the mountains and the seaside. The Romanian all such democratic initiatives were stifled World Congresses of vampirologists and drakulalogs under the leadership of General Pavel Kiselev, head of Black Sea coast is special. For instance, the famous from the beginning. As a result, the are traditionally held – (yes there are such things!) the Russian military administration in these principali- Mamaia resort, north of Constanta, boasts white sandy only remaining way was the popular I have also visited the “Dracula Castle” in the Bran ties during 1829-1834, who also set up a permanent beaches, a low degree of water salinity, which results in revolt initiated in Timisoara and mountain region next to Brasov. By the way, according army, police and gendarmerie service, post offices and increased comfort while bathing, plus the specific posi- continued in Bucharest.

36 37 gallery gallery t ext: rose suleimanova photo: archives THE COLORS OF THE KAZAKH K. Telzhanov. Kopkar (folk game). 1960

А. Kasteev. Grubbed land STEPPE in the mountains T he Kazakh pictorial art was born on the verge of XIX-XX centuries and developed in a close

tangency with the Russian fine art school. G.Ismailova. Kumis. 1966 he first professional Kazakh artist became Abylkhan Kasteev, a former shepherd. In the late 20’s, among other S.Aytbayev. Hapiness. 1966 Kazakhs, he was a student of Russian artist Nicholay B.Akanayev. Evening walk. 2001 Khludov. The first generation of painters has been trained in universities of Moscow and Leningrad, and today S.Kalmykov. they are the glory of Kazakhstan. This is S.Aitbayev, G. Ismailov, A. Red Horses. 1911 TGalimbaeva, K. Telzhanov, B. Tyulkhiev, I. Stadnichuk, A.A. Shkholnyi, L. Leontiev. Zh.Lepesov. Of course, socialist realism imposed its imprint on the Golden autumn. 1945 development of Kazakh art, including painting. But the ideological control of the center has been less drastic in Kazakhstan, therefore a favorable environment to search for bold and creative painters was А.Galimbayeva. created. That is why, some Russian artists had settled down in the Sweet melons. 1950 Alma-Ata, including Sergei Kalmykov, a disciple of Petrov-Vodkin, who started out as avant-garde in Alma-Ata and worked as a designer in the theater. D.Mukhanova- The artists of the 60’s revolutionized the Kazakh painting art. Their Khurshudyan. Kazakh works represent the synthesis of the national traditions of artistic girl in a national costume. 2008 descriptiveness. Their pieces have influenced the work of many artists of Central Asia and future generations. The picture “Happiness” of Salihitdin Aitbayev (1938-1994) became a kind of manifesto of artistic ideas in 60’s, reflecting the elements that later became essential to the national school of painting: planity, synthesis, color saturation and figurative symbolism. In the paintings of Kazakh masters the image of a steppe is often drawn. This metaphor represents both homeland and the universal code of the Turkic consciousness, through which artists reveal in their paintings the most specific deep layers of mythology, ideology, national spirit and history of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. In this sense, such artists as Alexander Sydyhanov and S. Sariev go even further – into a “symbolic art”, using a national mythological symbolism – the Moons, Earths, birth marks of the Kazakhs. Others work in a surreal manner. The pictures of Kazakh artists are exhibited not only in the “A. А.Sadykhanov. Moon-Earth. Kasteyev”Alma-Ata State Art Museum, but also in the Hermitage, the Louvre, and as a part of many private collections. Kazakhstan is not only a source of oil, gas, gold and uranium, but also a country with great artistic heritage and the original Kazakh G.Ismailova. G.Ismailova. White and red peonies painting art is vivid evidence to that. Uigur girls.

38 39 BSCSIFCHRONICLE The”New Silk Road” poetic anthology photo: archives WRITTEN BY MIKhaiL SINELNIKOV photo: G.TABIDZE. POPTRAIT BY K.SANADZE

Galaktion VENUE – POETRY ON THE TABIDZE Snow ROAD I’m watching lilac snow-flakes, Bucharest Small maids falling from the bridge, Admiring the wet distress n the caravan packs of the That makes my heart with cold pinched. Marcela CURMEI, Great Silk Road there was not Oh, love, this soul is full of snow, Adviser on BSCSIF economic and financial affairs only silk; not only porcelain I’m older, days are slipping by, and musk, not only Sham- My homeland has been a row akhy carpets, Chinese silver Of velvet roads, stormy cry. he Central Office of the Black Sea Caspian Sea ranks first among Romania’s non-EU trade partners. It is and Byzantine gold; but also manu- Well, that’s my life, International Fund is located in Bucharest’s obvious that the new, alternative routes for energy resources Iscripts of priceless books written in In cold January strands, historic part, at the crossroad of two streets transportation from the Caspian region to Western Europe hieroglyphs, with Syrian, Arabic, But they are always on my mind - named after the writer Alec Russo and Roma- will run precisely through the Romanian territory. Greek letter. Swaying on camels, Your little pale snowy hands. nian poetry genius – Mihai Eminescu. Around During BSCSIF establishment process, Romania was the caravanning people sang, filling My love, I see them…see your hands, this place many foreign embassies are settled in villas. the only European Union member. Romania built a sort of the mountains and the deserts with Amid the snow, feebly bent, TBucharest was not chosen by accident to be the loca- bridge between the CIS and EU countries. And this living melodic and plaintive sound. Der- Your veil in the frozen land Appears now and again. tion of BSCSIF headquarters. First of all, it’s almost at the relationship is already yielding with benefits – whether it’s vishes, wandering Sufis, Orthodox, geographical center of Europe and the office is equally about the approval of an important mediating role of the Nestorians and Taoist monks were Mikhail SINELNIKOV, And I am watching snowflakes, distant from the two Fund branches – in Brussels and Fund or about the mutual work on realization of specific travelling in caravans and many of Russian poet and translator, Academician at Small maids falling from the bridge, Moscow (the third one in Istanbul is located right by its them were poets. When halting at Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and at The lilac sorrow that makes projects. Petrovsk Academy of Science and Art My lonely heart with cold pinched. side). Secondly, the Romanian capital is located at the The Bucharest BSCSIF Central Office is trying to the fire, they were telling amazing 45th parallel, which passes through the Black Sea, Crimea, use in its activity all of these opportunities. Having the stories from One Thousand and One Oh, what a day! It’s snowing, cold, Caucasus, Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan and almost reaches support of wonderful people unified within it, the Fund nights, poems of the magnificent Pushkin, Lermontov, Tyutchev have I’m deep in blue and weary dreams, If only did the winter go! Kyrgyzstan, thus being a sort of “region builder”. strives to intensify the contacts between business com- Dastan, the poetic novels of the proved to be more long-living and If only I survived the winds! Bucharest is the venue of East and West, the crossing munities of the two seas’ region, struggles to overcome the East. They were meeting, interfer- precious than the most durable and of two branches of Christianity – the Eastern, Orthodox, bureaucratic obstacles and foremost to enhance the mu- ing, migrating to foreign lands, and beautiful silks. In each of these coun- I see a path, a quiet play, You slowly following the road, and Western. Another world religion – Islam – comes here tual acquaintance. As it is known, the main marketing rule collecting spectacular details and tries there was created a proficient I love the snow just the way through Dobrudzha from East. Thus, the presence of spir- is to know the offers of each other. facts, and then they returned to school of poem translation, and over I loved your veiled gloomy note. itual interpenetration energy pole is striking. I think that the capital of Romania, its Black Sea their homelands as stories of world centuries, the mutual translations I did enjoy those quiet days, Bucharest is also a venue for Eurasian business. Here, coast or the picturesque Carpathian Mountains could literature ... The countries of the have been enriching each national The cool breeze playing in the air, we can mention the powerful presence of Russia’s business become an excellent location not only for economic Caspian Sea and Black Sea coasts culture... There will be always a place Your rumpled hair in the rays, world represented by Gazprom, Lukoil, Russian Aluminum forums, but also for youth festivals, meetings between are rich not only in oil, grain and for poetry on the pages of our maga- The wild flowers in your hair! or TMK, business world of Kazakhstan, which owns a large writers and artists of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea cotton, but also in ancient literature. zine. And this poetic topic begins I thirst, I long for you, I starve - oil company Rompetrol, Azerbaijan’s business world – countries. And the BSCSIF headquarters will contribute The delightful doinas of Wallachia with the works of one of the greatest -A vagrant craving for a home, mainly, the state oil company SOCAR and as to Turkey – it to that by all means.. and Moldova, soulful Ukrainian poets of the past century, truly be- My days are gruesome, you are far, dumas, majestic “Dede Korkut”, loved by his people. These are verses I’m desolate and all alone. “Manas”, “Alpamysh”, the big and of a genial Georgian - Galaktion I roam in the cold snow, The BSCSIF Chronicle the small epic stories of Kazakh- Tabidze (1892-1959), illuminated by Deep in my blue and weary dreams, Forum in Zaporozhye. Union and the USA. That is why several universi- National perspectives stan. But the folklore is genial at the light of visionary insights and If only did the winter go! If only I survived the winds! Last year, in November, Zaporozhye (Ukraine) ties in Europe, USA, Black Sea and Caspian Sea and globalization. all peoples. The important thing is soaked with celestial harmony. This hosted the 4th International Investment Forum, area have elaborated a multidisciplinary project Within the international conference “Energy resources Translated by Tsiuri Pilauri where BSCSIF was its media partner. The other on research of the two seas range, which is meant of Europe and Azerbaijan”, the Fund, in coopera- that the countries in the region have divine murmur, which serves the forum organizers were – Ernst & Young, Interna- to stimulate the production of knowledge, in- tion with the Embassy of Republic of Azerbaijan in also brought to the light great poets, Georgian youth as a language of love You’re thirteen tional Institute of Business and Kiev International novation, research and development of human Romania and Azerbaijan-Romania Culture and Youth whose creation became world’s her- confessions, cannot be forgotten nei- You’re thirteen and you’ve ensnared Management Institute. The forum’s objective was resources. To these issues was dedicated an in- Association has organized a seminar on national itage. The verses and poems of Ni- ther in full vigour, neither at the end a graying lover’s evil dreams. aimed at stimulation of investment activity in ternational conference held in July, in Bucharest. perspectives of regional cooperation in globalization zami, Khagani, Fizuli, Vagif, Navoi, of the days... Line up thirteen bullets here: Zaporozhye region. Besides BSCSIF, representatives from Azerbaijan, era. It was held in October 2010, in Bucharest. Experts Lutfi, Ogahi, Makhtumkuli, Kemin, The poems by Galaktion Tabidze I’ll kill myself times. Moldova, Kazakhstan, Italy, France and the United from Romania, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan stressed Mollanepes, Yunus Emre, Dzhala- were translated in Russian, English, Interdisciplinary project. States were among the participants. The confer- on the need of a close cooperation between the coun- Another thirteen years go by, letdina Rooney, Rustaveli, Baratash- soon you’ll arrive at twenty-six. The information on dynamical development of ence organized by George Washington University tries in the region in order to meet in a proper way the French and many other languages. vili, Vaja Pshavela, Makhambet, Thus, the spiritual poetry connects The tallest iris gets the scythe: the Black and Caspian seas region and its oppor- is a part of a project, co-financed by European challenges of globalization and global economic crisis. time and poem mourn their necks. tunities is very little known both in the European Social Fund. Liliana COMAN Eminescu, Lucian Blaga, Arghezi, peoples, divided by land and Taras Shevchenko, Lesia Ukrainka , distance.

40 41 How hastily youth slips away— remorseless wishes of the lion. And everything glows tenderly when Autumn sunlight’s pouring in. The tangled window The tangled window, night and curtain, a flickering candle left, forgotten after a vision of you, in the twilight departed to never return. G alaktion Tabidze. Portrait by Korneli Sanadze Laughter, fire, bitter tears, extraordinary shining eyes— bowl with everflowing wine with fine thread of silver light. glorious and dismal, I’ll suffer every obstacle — Can reach the secret guarded in the O, eyes have never seen the sky so A tempest of ideas departed to never each prison cell, each bitter slight, darkness of this heart of mine. lovely as to-night! return. As long as I can still see well In sleepless hours when night shines The moon adorned in beams of enough to know my country’s plight. on my window in a clear white light pearls seems like a queen divine, Those brilliant extraordinary eyes I open wide my heart and show my The stars like fire-flies tangled in a that so vividly pierced the darkness The darkest taste of loneliness, secret to the clear white night. web about her shine. like a far-off flash of lightning, the saddest unbefriended state: Night knows the anguish I endured, The Mtkvari flows a silver stream of departed to never return. I’ll suffer all, as long as I the happiness that passed me by. lambent beauty bright. can see my country’s shining light. In all the world we are but two — O, eyes have never seen the moon And with those eyes night and I, night and I! so lovely as to-night! I think, a song miserable, vile, died * * * Here in immortal calm and peace with an avalanche. You at the sea-side the great and noble sleep And my own life took this path: You long to live like a posh billionaire; Beneath the soft and dewy turf in departing to never return box seats at the opera oh, how The sea grew gray in the coming night. many a mouldering heap, debonaire! You stood on the shore like a guiding Here Baratashvili came with wild Uncertainty While all my desires are easily met light. desires to madness wrought, by an endless road, love, and this last Oppressed by raging fires of passion There is inside your heart cigarette Your beauty lashed at me like fire, and perplexing thought. a bitter, brutal death, Translated by Christopher Michel Sweet adoration and desire. O could I like the swan pour forth a place of deep upset my soul in melody where the lyre cannot breathe. A ship at sea enthralls the sight That melts the mortal heart and Night and I As love — the heart with sweet breathes of immortality! Once a boiling fire, With pen in hand I sit alone while delight. Let my free song fly far beyond this now your blood is frozen. night is burning, melting, pale. world to regions high And your eye has no tear, The breeze that comes in from the I watched the fading ship depart… Where on the wings of poesy ‘twill your heart — no compassion. window tells me the valleys’ fairy I felt a pain... pain in my heart. glorify the sky. tale. If death approaching makes the And when asked: “What occured, The earth tries to remove the veil the The vessel bore with her the fire fragrance of the roses sweeter. what does your heart yearn for?” moon has thrown over her face. And ecstasy of sweet desire. Attunes the soul to melodies that He raises his arms skyward The wind beneath my window sways make all sadness dearer. yet gives to men no answer. with lilacs in a loose embrace. * * * And if the swan’s song thus be- Blue columns rise, then lean against comes a denizen of heaven, My heart’s the softness of a dove-hued sky Yes, to-day is autumn If in that, song she feels that death As full of passion as I would these lines Autumn... will be but ecstasy, then — the Black Sea with rhymes to glorify. The soul Let me like her sing one last song I was travelling, night approaching, Enchantment silently transforms the Wishes solitude... and in death find delight. The sea showed me its gardens. world with stealthy magic light Soft hues are dying, So breathless still and lovely I have —Shota Rustaveli As full of passionate emotions as my Gentle Mary. never seen the night! heart this very night. A sky-blue shadow’s flying... O mighty dead, let me die here My heart’s the Black Sea leaning on Within my heart I long have borne a Autumn beside you as I sing. and beating on Adjaran slopes. secret hidden from all eyes Recalls your lips… I am a poet, and to eternity my The furious storms I’ve undergone: Lest it be soiled by breath or touch What a pity... song I fling, let them miss your placid boats. deep in my heart secure it lies. Farewell, And let it be the fire that warms None knows what sorrow-burdened Mary. and lights the spirit’s flight. And though the others cannot tell, load that one heart can in silence O, eyes have never seen the Your pine and fir will understand bear; moon so lovely as to- that I’m not carved from mud or shale, None knows the anguish that is mine, The moon night! but made of doubt and faith: a man. concealed within my heart fore’er. over Mtatsminda Translated by Venera No warm embraces of smooth arms, My eyes have never seen the moon so Urushadze As such, I’ll suffer what may come: no wonders of love-laden breasts lovely as to-night; Thirst, thunderstorm or freezing rain, Can ever lure away the secret that in In silence wrapt she is the breathless As long as, with the rising dawn my heart securely rests. music of the night. one hope has light enough to shine. No sleep, however heavy-eyed, no Moonbeams embroider shadows

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