Kosovo* · Muhamet Brajshori Winning Articles the Need for Internal Integration and European Integration

Winning reports 2 ¡ CONTENT ¡ CONTENT 3

Information ¡ Iceland · Nanna Árnadóttir ¡ Foreword Comissioner Štefan Füle ...... 4 My Home, My Iceland, My Europe...... 71 ¡ Background on the Journalist Award ...... 6 ¡ Ireland · Angela Steen ¡ Imprint ...... 157 Polish migrants post-crisis in Ireland: is there no place like home? ...... 74 ¡ Italy · Antonio Di Bartolomeo From Sarajevo to Brussels, a one-way trip ...... 77 ¡ Kosovo* · Muhamet Brajshori Winning Articles The need for Internal Integration and European Integration ...... 84 ¡ Albania · Evis Qaja ¡ Latvia · Michael Dozler An integration policy that can overcome conventional taboos ...... 8 Latvia’s example should slow Croatian EU bid ...... 87 ¡ Austria · Verena Ringler ¡ Lithuania · Vija Pakalkaitė Kosovo 2.0 ...... 12 Insolvency Tourism: Leave the Homeland and avoid debt? ...... 90 ¡ Belgium · Kristof Clerix ¡ Luxembourg · Célia Laherrere Albania, country in transition ‘Isolating the Balkans is not an option’ ...... 17 Medicine without Borders ...... 95 ¡ Bosnia and Herzegovina · Zeljko Derajic ¡ The former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia · Danica Tuntevska Miljen’s ordeal comes to an end ...... 25 The railway to Bulgaria stopped dead in its tracks ...... 99 ¡ Bulgaria · Vladislav Velev ¡ Montenegro · Mirela Rebronja Bulgarian Sedianka in Belgium ...... 29 How to prepare for EU negotiations – Finding the right people for the job ...... 102 ¡ Croatia · Miho Dobrašin ¡ The Netherlands · Sarah Haaij Greece is writing European history all over again ...... 32 The imaginary enemy ...... 107 ¡ Cyprus · Andreas Polycarpou ¡ Poland · Monika Stefanek European Integration or National Isolation ...... 36 Changes are coming in the West ...... 110 ¡ Czech Republic · Petr Horký ¡ Portugal · Maria João Guimarães Ireland to decide about the Lisbon Treaty with Dell’s move to Poland playing The fall seen from both sides ...... 115 into the hands of the “No” voters ...... 41 ¡ ¡ Denmark · Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist, Julie Elver Romania · Ionela Savescu The Story of Ceauşescu’s Starved People...... 125 Icelanders Find Security in Old Traditions ...... 45 ¡ ¡ Finland · Tuomas Rimpiläinen Serbia · Ivan Radak Good ideas get fi nancial backing from Brussels ...... 130 The open border has remained under control after expansion of the Schengen area ...... 50 ¡ Slovakia · Radovan Potočár ¡ France · Prune Antoine My Secret European Dream ...... 136 Poland: Nobody’s Children ...... 54 ¡ Spain · Andrés Valdés Lopez, Roberto Yanguas Gómez ¡ Germany · Judith Liere Without the shadow of the wall ...... 139 Tolerated, but not welcomed ...... 58 ¡ Sweden · Tove Leffl er ¡ Greece · Aikaterinis Petros Script to Tove Leffl er’s report about Sarajevo ...... 144 It’s all Greek to me ...... 61 ¡ Turkey · Fulya Ozerkan ¡ Hungary · Viktória Iván New EU president to play key role in Turkey bid ...... 148 Transiting Europe ...... 67 ¡ United Kingdom · Clea Caulcutt Roma face eviction in Paris suburb ...... 151

*under UNSCR 1244/1999 4 ¡ FOREWORD ¡ FOREWORD 5 ¡ Commissioner Štefan Füle ¡ Commissioner Štefan Füle

Dear Friends,

Since its launch in 2008, the European What is more signifi cant here, in my view, is membership, I am constantly reminded The award itself is intended to foster cross- Young Journalist Award has served as a the fact that young Europeans continue to of the key role played by journalists and community networks and dialogue based showcase for up-and-coming journalistic give voice to the belief that their future lies the media in making sense of these proc- on knowledge and mutual respect. This is talent from across the European continent. in further European integration; that the EU esses and explaining them to citizens. It all the more necessary today, as we expand This year’s edition has thoroughly demon- continues to hold hope of greater stability, is vital therefore that the next generation our horizons to Iceland in the far Northwest strated the depth and breadth of that tal- prosperity and progress. This vote of con- of journalists engages with the substance of Europe and at the same time travel to Is- ent, with over 1 000 entries from some of fi dence also serves as a small reminder of of European policies and objectively com- tanbul, 2010 European Capital of Culture, at the most exciting print, online and radio the enormous benefi ts the EU has brought municates the related facts – benefi ts and the other end of the European continent. journalists in 36 European countries. to so many since its creation just a little challenges alike. over 50 years ago. This booklet presents the winning entries of These young Europeans have shown their Communicating EU enlargement policy is the European Young Journalist Award 2010. commitment to challenging and ultimately EU enlargement is a dynamic force for not an easy task. The winners of this com- The diversity of the following reports dem- enlarging our collective vision of what Eu- freedom and solidarity in Europe. It has petition have successfully dealt with a com- onstrates the wide variety of approaches rope and the European Union mean today. re-united a divided continent and helped plex range of socio-political and economic that exist to making sense of Europe and consolidate peace, security and democracy. issues in this area and crafted them into the EU. Each nevertheless illustrates the The year 2009 was crucial for many of the Accession to the Union is not simply a suc- credible, honest and captivating narratives extent of our shared values and common enlargement countries. No less than four cession of steps on a political roadmap but providing a balanced perspective on the EU goals. I hope you enjoy the reading! of them – Montenegro, Albania, Iceland is rather a transformative process that has and the debate surrounding EU member- and then Serbia – had formally applied for already profoundly aff ected the lives of mil- ship. In lending a human voice to the poli- membership in a period of just 12 months. lions of European citizens. cy and the processes involved, these young It was also a challenging year and one of and aspiring journalists are encouraging particular economic and fi nancial diffi culty As we continue negotiations with candi- citizens to take ownership of these issues Štefan Füle for many, something which is expressed in date countries and assist potential can- that concern them. European Commissioner for Enlargement several of the articles in this collection. didates in their preparations for eventual and Neighbourhood Policy 6 ¡ BACKGROUND ON THE JOURNALIST AWARD ¡ BACKGROUND ON THE JOURNALIST AWARD 7

“Enlarge your vision” Winners’ Trip

The European Young Journalist Award on ¡ The relevance of the content in relation to All national winners were invited to a cul- EU enlargement is a competition for young the topic, tural trip to Istanbul, which took place from journalists and journalism students aged 8–12 May 2010. Istanbul, one of the Euro- 17-35 from the European Union member ¡ Originality in the treatment of the subject, pean Capitals of Culture for 2010, provided states, candidate countries, potential can- an ideal location for the winners to enlarge didates and Iceland. The third edition of the ¡ Journalistic style, their vision through cultural exchange, and competition was launched on 20 October discuss their views about culture, identity 2009 and was open until 28 February 2010. ¡ Quality of writing, and EU enlargement. More than 1000 print, online and radio media reports focusing on past, present and ¡ Ability to catch the reader’s attention In addition to the experience of the cultural future EU enlargement issues were submit- trip, which gave the EYJA winners the opted from all 36 participating countries. ¡ Eff ort put into the preparation of the article. portunity to visit a range of sites in Istanbul, they participated in a closing conference This year’s competition provided an even From among the national winners, three with media and politics representatives greater incentive to participate, as the reports were awarded with special prizes in from various countries as well as journal- national winners also competed among the following categories: ist “mentors” from the national juries and themselves for three special prizes at Euro- the European jury. At the fi nal conference, pean level. ¡ Most original the issues that were tackled in their winning reports were discussed in depth along The EYJA encourages young journalists and ¡ Best research with a range of perspectives on the Western journalism students to enlarge their vision Balkans, Turkey and Iceland. As all of the and contribute to the dialogue about EU ¡ Best journalistic style EYJA winners are involved in issues related enlargement. The award also gives young to EU enlargement, media and politics, one journalists from around Europe the op- The special prize winners were selected by a of the aims of the conference was to help portunity to network and exchange per- European jury composed by Brussels-based these journalists fi nd potential partners for spectives on EU enlargement: in so doing journalist correspondents. their work. In workshops and panel discus- it promotes discussion and debate among sion, experts from international politics and young people from across Europe. According to the competition rules, entries media shared their perspectives on various had to be published between 1 October 2007 dimensions of EU enlargement. National juries composed of media repre- and 28 February 2010 and be written in one sentatives selected one national winner in of the offi cial EU languages or one of the each of the participating countries. Partici- languages of the candidate countries po- pants were evaluated according to the fol- tential candidates or Icelandic. Articles were lowing criteria: submitted via the multilingual competition website: www.EUjournalist-award.eu 8 ¡ ALBANIA ¡ ALBANIA 9 ¡ Evis Qaja ¡ Evis Qaja

Evis Qaja is a freelance journalist and scholar with a rich academic background in history, literary studies and social An integration policy that can CVsciences. She is currently completing her doctorate at the Aristotle University’s Pedagogic Faculty, Department overcome conventional taboos Social Sciences. In parallel, she has acquired international diplomatic training and a diploma in “Mainstreaming Disability Equality in the World of Work”. conomic and social change has a profound It means that each citizen shall have the right to Einfluence on the way we appraise the sys- state his or her own language, ethnic origin, and tem under which we all live. It changes the no- religious beliefs – all in accordance with the new tion and the shape of our cultures. It changes Law of the European Union regarding EU mem- Summary: This article unpacks the broader implications of Albania’s anticipated 2011 census our mentality in relation to national or personal ber states and the national census of candidates. andSummary: what it means for the country on its path to EU integration. development. It alters the way we understand our collective identity. And it affects our relationship f we travel back in time, the first census was with ethics, science, art and politics. Traditional Icarried out 5801 years ago, in 3800 BC, when Estimation of jury: The article convinced the jury through its ability to capture the hierarchies crumble one after another. Societies the Babylonians registered their population. interest of the reader and the originality with which the journalist treated the issue. assume a multicultural character. Social classes The ancient Egyptians catalogued their lands Qaja treats the subject analytically and chose an original approach to describe the are no longer distinguished by the behaviour of in 3050 BC, when the pyramids were being topic. The material presented the micro context of the EU integration process from an individuals, and the nucleus of a nation is no built. Under Pharaoh Ramses, details of each interesting point of view, considering it is usually only unpacked on a macro-scale. It longer shaped by the model that emerged in the family were recorded. In China, under the Yao reveals a unique and interesting interpretation of the social, cultural and existential Middle Ages under the dictate of religious ideol- Dynasty, round about 2238 years BC – over changes for the EU future of Albania. ogy. At the beginning of the 21st century, we are 22 centuries before Christ – registration in- free to decide when we want to integrate or where cluded data on land production and commer- we belong, and to express our solidarity through cial routes. In 578 BC Servo Tullio requested a democratic participation. We are able to embrace census of ancient Rome, whilst simultaneously our multidimensional role, and therefore, in a in ancient Greece the first attempts at a cen- sense, create our own collective “passports”. sus were being made during the time of Solon. Registration was introduced again in the 17th ithin this framework, the national census century, while it was carried out more systemat- Wis an important task that the Albanian ically in the 18th century in Europe as well as in government will attempt in 2011. It’s a challeng- North America. The first periodic registration ing exercise that will benefit everyone, whilst was carried out in the United States of America it will also provide an overview of the socio- in 1790, in England in 1801, in France in 1817 economic progress in the country. We already and in Belgium in 1847. know that population registration is, in itself, an old and familiar phenomenon. But, equally sig- Europe is opposed to no one… nificantly, as Albanian citizens we are now aware that the new policy driving Albania’s integration am convinced that the census organised by is presenting a new initiative, in the form of com- I this government, in line with the new Law prehensive and all-inclusive population registra- of the European Union, will facilitate progress tion in compliance with international standards. towards joining the European family. For the 10 ¡ ALBANIA ¡ ALBANIA 11 ¡ Evis Qaja ¡ Evis Qaja first time, this census will give a comprehensive improve the present and prepare for the future. saw an increase of 15%, while Germany’s popu- munism from communists, and progress from overview of the democratic and socio-economic Obviously these developments do not always lation was unchanged. On 1 January 2009, the regress. We need to support the fight against situation in the country. The census form will offer a perfect example for everyone to follow. population of the 27 EU member states was these rotten mentalities in order to establish an include questions on the economic environ- In certain countries and in specific instances, 499.8 million. Statistics published last August all-inclusive and democratic society. It is in eve- ment, personal income, education, home inter- they may require reassessment or readjustment. by Eurostat stated that the figure had increased ryone’s interest to share the conviction that we net access and living conditions, in addition to However, by taking this path and sharing in the by 2.2 million compared to 2007. In 2009, the all need one another, no matter what position vital information concerning foreign languages joint commitments accepted by many states, population of Eastern European states such or power we might have. Our individual capaci- spoken and various other social, cultural and re- Albania can ensure that it plays its part in such as Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and ties no longer match our needs. This may be a ligious aspects of life in contemporary Albania. adjustments, and contributes to building struc- Romania decreased. The only exceptions to this bitter truth, but we should not hide it. If we do In fact, I find it hard to understand why, in this tures designed to improve socio-economic con- pattern in Eastern Europe were Poland, Czech not accept this change in our circumstances, we new century of so many changes, there are still ditions and set new standards for the way we Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia. are under-estimating our own capabilities. Our taboos that do not allow our country to pursue a live today and tomorrow. refusal to welcome change would be a sign of faster route towards Europe. Since Europe is op- iven the open policies of developed coun- inopportune superiority. Our isolation has not posed to no other country or group of nations, Civilisation of an open society Gtries regarding population registration, the only been a cause of vulnerability, but also a it has no aggressive goals. It does not possess Balkan barriers associated with our national cause for destruction. In fact, the collapse of a selfish or imperialistic nature, either inter- t’s been almost a century and a half since the and religious attitudes still continue to concern communist regimes in Europe and an apparent nally or in its relationships with other coun- IAustrian philosopher Karl Popper described me, especially as many other states have moved consensus on the democratic rights associated tries. Europe is open to all who wish to join, and exalted “the open society” which “releases far beyond these concepts. In fact, the very idea with citizenship did not flatten debates or differ- as long as they respect and guarantee its stated critical qualities and characteristics in man”. of a nation seems to constitute a constant entity ences, and certainly did not eradicate conflicts rights and freedoms. Europe exists because of Popper predicted this society would be “human that’s almost metaphysical, and which is brought between countries, groups and individuals. its commitment to international cooperation and logical, equal and without prejudices”. It is a up by Albanians time after time. But there is a and solidarity, and due to its rational organisa- matter of record that he wrote his work in 1938 contrary view. According to E. Renan, a nation t is important to remember that these recent tion in a world where it has an important place. -when the Nazis entered Austria, and remained consists of “a daily referendum”, a heritage of Ichanges were not solely born out of different Arguably, Europe’s biggest asset is its capacity there until 1943 – in order to fight “the closed nationalistic ideology and other economic and cultural and social traditions (which in the near and willingness to truly contribute to the direct society” dictated by “forces of magic, and out- cultural components developed in a traditional future are meant to disappear in the face of one needs of humanity, in response to the new am- dated dogmas”. In the prologue to the second society. On the other hand, Durkheim, founder global hypothetical law). It is somehow ironic bitions of many nations, including our own. edition of his work, Popper writes that “in spite of the French School of Sociology, states that to promote concepts of freedom and responsi- the present situation in the world (Cold War) I “no doubt, the idea of a nation is mystical and bility, to appeal for individual initiatives and urope’s real spirit is most evident is its abil- remain as enthusiastic as ever”. This enthusiasm dark”. The historian and researcher Hugh Seton- to cheer for diversity as an important asset of Eity to recognise the realities, options and is reflected in recent EU statistics. The thresh- Watson concluded that “no scientific definition our societies, and at the same time to surround obligations we face, without making distinc- old of 500 million inhabitants was passed for the of a nation can be proposed, but the phenomena these claims with talk about indisputable and tions between boundaries and traditional en- first time on 1 January 2010, when the popula- has existed and will continue to exist and con- permanent requests or obligations in global de- mities. Modern societies, organised in pluralist tion of European Union, with 27 member states, tinuously adopts the definition that ‘a nation velopments. Freedom of citizens means freedom democracies and lawful countries, are mobi- reached 501.26 million, according to the INSEE exists when a substantial number of individuals of a society and open discussion, theoretically lised by the mechanisms of market economics (French Institute of Statistics). Germany, France in a society perceives themselves as representing guided by equality among individuals – and not and private finance initiatives. They progress and Great Britain are the most populated coun- a nation or act as a nation’”. by fear of hurting the nationalistic conscience through cumulative personal experiences (both tries. Germany is in first place with 81.7 million of a few at the expense of the integrity of the positive and negative). And the increasing ma- inhabitants, followed by France with 65.4 mil- n truth, we have wasted enough time expect- Albanian people. terial and intellectual resources of individuals, lion and the UK with 62 million. During the last Iing constructive engagement from destroyers, countries and communities helps them to both decade, Ireland (4.45 million) and Spain (46.08), expecting culture from the ignorant, anticom- 12 ¡ AUSTRIA ¡ AUSTRIA 13 ¡ Verena Ringler ¡ Verena Ringler

Verena Ringler is a media and public affairs entrepreneur, focusing on the EU in the world. She worked with the EC/Gal- Kosovo 2.0 CVlup and various other international organisations. Verena’s international journalism endeavours include a three-year stint with Foreign Policy magazine in Washington, D. C., Young Kosovars are unwilling to accept the also boasts a number of trendy restaurants and numerous publications in profil, Die Zeit, Frankfurter state that has been handed down to them – and shops. The past two years have seen the Allgemeine Zeitung, the Eurasisches Magazin, etc. Verena a state characterized by mafia, mismanage- opening of Grand Store, Kosovo’s first high- has travelled to Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, the Caucasus, and ment and misery – and have decided to take class shopping mall, a 24-hour restaurant, sev- Lebanon. She has an M. A. from the JHU/SAIS. the fate of the young republic into their own eral filling stations and the Route 66 Bar. The hands. luxurious “International Village” is being built just round the corner. Summary: To many observers, Kosovo is synonymous with “trouble”. But many young wo DJs are spinning discs and mixing Kosovars are flocking to Pristina, the nation’s capital, hoping to change that. They are Tbeats with melodies. Slowly, the morning ver the past decade, Kosovo has come to making music, working as designers and opening bookstores, creating a tide of inno- sun rises in front of the Spray Club in Pristina. Obe associated with economic dependence vation that precedes any notable revival in urban life. What’s more: these young people Bersant Rizaj, 35, dressed in a t-shirt and and fanatical nationalism, oppression, war, debunk the stereotypes about the country. Think Balkan women are submissive or op- jeans, is dancing and hopping amongst a sleep- refugee camps and displacement, the UCK, pressed? Krenare Rugova, a fashion designer employing 20 tailors in her growing firm, says less mob. Suddenly he shouts, “This here – this the UN, the mafia, NATO troops, aid money “fashion is a means of free speech” and creates multi-functional jersey dresses aimed at is the Sound of Pristina!” After London and and stagnation. empowering women. Are young Albanians really obsessed with mono-ethnicity? Bersant Berlin it’s now Pristina’s turn. The capital of Rizaj, an Albanian electronic music pioneer, says he hopes previously expelled Serbs return Kosovo as the new capital of house music? ut this small country is being quickly re- to town. Irina Karamarkovic, a Serb singer, predicts that Pristina will soon become a tourist Rizaj, the owner of the Spray Club, would like Bdefined by a new generation. Two out of destination. Doubt Kosovars jump start their economy? Akan Ismaili, a telecom whiz who to think so. “Pristina has always enjoyed an every three Kosovars are under 30, and young employs 400 people, says Kosovo is rebounding: “Everybody tries to seize opportunities”. excellent reputation in the music scene. In the people no longer want anything to do with Now Europe’s youngest society – more than two-thirds of Kosovars are under 30 – wants eighties, London was enormously influential. ethnic nationalism. They see themselves as to forge connections with the rest of Europe, only to run into a visa blockade that they view Then it was New York’s turn, then Vienna’s entrepreneurs and individuals with creative as short-sighted. “He who can travel does not need to emigrate,” says one young man. and Berlin’s. Now, it’s Pristina’s,” says Rizaj. talents, who are active and involved. Their programme: Kosovo 2.0. uring the past few months, the Spray Estimation of jury: In the discussion on competing submissions, one clear favourite ap- DClub has hosted renowned deejays “My dream has become reality,” says Rizaj, as peared. “Kosovo 2.0” by Verena Ringler reached the highest levels in style, quality, investi- such as DJ Digweed, LTJ Bukem and David he calls on his mobile phone to order a pizza gation and actuality. In this masterpiece, the 34-year-old journalist gives a surprisingly new Morales – a fact that Rizaj takes as a clear sign at five in the morning. “My siblings live in insight on the young republic of Kosovo. In her report, Ringler describes impressively how a of Kosovo’s rising popularity in the clubbing Austria. I came back here and now I’m able to new generation of young cosmopolitans is stirring up the country. They are entrepreneurs scene. His club is located in Gorenje Village, a do my part in creating the best nightlife any- and individuals with creative talents who are active and involved. By creating a deliberate huge, ever-expanding construction site where where. Pristina is full of energy.” He opened contrast to the usual picture of Kosovo the report attracts the reader’s attention. The re- the country’s first stretches of motorway were the club nearly two years ago, at a time when port is accompanied by a service box that provides facts about the political, economic and laid. The neighbourhood was named after the there was no neighbouring business. social situation of the country. Verena Ringler is a worthy representative of Austria for the domestic appliances manufacturer Gorenje, European Young Journalist Award. which opened a hotel and restaurant in the ccording to the Gallup “Balkan Monitor” area four years ago. Kosovars buy their toi- Asurvey series, Kosovars are the most opti- let cisterns and V-belts there, but the Village mistic of all Balkan nationalities – in spite of 14 ¡ AUSTRIA ¡ AUSTRIA 15 ¡ Verena Ringler ¡ Verena Ringler

45 percent unemployment and a growing trade ince de facto independence, many Kosovars corruption and kleptomania, driven by a lust here are two reasons. The first is because deficit. The declaration of the country’s inde- Shave switched gears from inertia to mo- for power. On the other hand, a surprisingly Tall these things need to be improved and pendence in 2008 seems to have acted as an mentum. For almost two years now, Kosovars large number of well-educated Kosovars are Kosovo’s economy has yet to pick up. Where impetus for many young people, whose con- have been responsible for their own country. returning home from abroad. H&M stores have not yet been opened, where cept of Kosovar history is shaped less by the “For us, independence means that nobody can you cannot yet drink your coffee at Starbucks violence and struggles of the past decades than govern our lives any more. Now we know that any have studied at Harvard and and where the Hilton hotel chain does not yet by what they perceive as centuries of foreign we’re the ones who control our future”, says MOxford, and have lived in the metropo- offer accommodation, there is room for pio- domination. Akan Ismaili. Ismaili has taken on the former lises of New York and London. They are stir- neers. The second reason is that family ties are telecommunications monopoly Post and ring up the country. These include Shpend so strong that they draw sons and daughters s Akan Ismaili, the 35-year-old founder Telecom of Kosovo (PTK) with his firm Ipko. Ahmeti, Harvard graduate and founder of back home. Many factors, including distrust Aof the IT and telecommunications firm the GAP Institute for Economic Studies in of the state, oppression, and decades of labour Ipko says, “Until recently we lived as if some- smaili has established a strong brand and Pristina, Engjellushe Morina, Oxford gradu- migration, have helped to strengthen these one had pressed the pause button on our lives. Ihelped freshen up Pristina’s decrepit urban ate and Director of the IKS Institute for Socio- ties. Nothing stirred at all.” image with the modern shops he has opened. Economic Research and Besa Luci, a graduate He employs 500 people and regularly registers of Columbia University, working at the new n her studio, 29-year-old fashion designer ver the past 600 years, someone or other his staff for advanced training courses for net- Kosovo Foreign Policy Club. IKrenare Rugova puts the finishing touches Oalways governed Kosovo or parts there- work technicians. His work has paid off, as, in on a bridal dress and says, “People thought I of – Ottomans, Albanians, Montenegrins, 2006, the majority of Ipko shares were bought thers, such as Sevdije Kastrati, at present was crazy. ‘You’re leaving New York to go back Austrians, Serbs, Germans, Italians; Tito, by Telecom Slovenia. Ismaili has a simple ex- OKosovo’s first Master’s student at the to P-r-i-s-t-i-n-a?’” Slobodan Milosevic, Ibrahim Rugova, NATO, planation for the boom in his line of business: American Film Institute in California, and the UN. For two decades, Ismaili and his “Kosovo is experiencing an internet boom be- Rozafa Basha, Master’s student in architec- hat was six years ago, after she graduated friends waited for the oppression of the cause of our isolation. We can only visit three ture at Lund University in Sweden, are already Tfrom the Parsons design school in New Albanian majority by the Serbian adminis- countries without a visa. The rest we can only planning their futures in Pristina. York, thanks to a scholarship. She bought her- trative elite to come to an end. In the 1990s, connect to on the Net.” self a ticket to Pristina and opened a bright schools were made inaccessible by police road et why are these young cosmopolitans studio with wooden floors and a large display blocks, and football players from the wrong ull of dynamism and entrepreneurial Ychoosing to go to Pristina, of all places? window in the city centre. Krenare also runs a ethnic side were thrown off neighbourhood Fspirit, Ismaili has established a pension Why decide to live in a city where there are factory manned by 20 employees, and sells her teams. fund for his staff, as well as a foundation for regular power outages, the water supply is of- collections in boutiques in Zurich and Vienna. research and social projects. He has taken on ten interrupted, and hospital patients have to “In Pristina, haute couture can only be seen smaili waited for the end of the wars in Bosnia the government by starting a private fundrais- bring their own bandages and hypodermic from a distance. But fashion is a very good way Iand Croatia, and ultimately for the end of the ing campaign for the poor via text-messaging. needles? Why live in a city whose two rivers of helping liberate women, since it is a form war in his own country. Many Kosovars waited “Here everybody wants to learn, everybody flow beneath concrete slabs, where parked cars of freedom of expression”, she says. Her reci- for the day when they would be able to return grasps every opportunity”, he says. brazenly block sidewalks and where cyclists pe for emancipation: jaunty jersey dresses for home from the refugee camps and from abroad. risk their lives? Where there are no parks and self-assured everyday wear. “People think our At last, the heavy machinery of political, mili- owever, young entrepreneurs want noth- where the Minister of Culture is not support- women are conservative. Yet they are chang- tary and economic development, driven by the Hing to do with the country’s political class. ive about the newly pedestrianized centre of ing at a breathtaking pace and have long since United Nations, started to roll in. In their view, the elite are the embodiment of town? started to determine their lives themselves.” 16 ¡ AUSTRIA ¡ BELGIUM 17 ¡ Verena Ringler ¡ Kristof Clerix

twenty-minute walk from Krenare ivojin Rakocevic, director of the Serbian- Kristof Clerix (1978) works as a journalist for MO*, a Bel- A Rugova’s studio, another pioneer is at Zlanguage Radio station KIM in Caglavica gian monthly magazine on international affairs (www. work. On the dusty Bajram Krasniqi Street, one says, “Anyone in Europe who still believes that CVMO.be). He regularly reports from Eastern Europe and is can see a small sign reading “Akupunktura”. two peoples cannot coexist is a slave to tyran- specialised in security issues. In 2005, Clerix won the en- Lulzim Mripa’s practice is the first acupuncture ny.” Club-owner Rizaj wishes “that the Serbs couragement price of the Flemish-Dutch Association of studio in Pristina. He opened it some months would come back. Without them we’re like a Investigative Journalists with an article on the activities of ago. During the war he fled to London, where tree from which a branch has been cut off, to- foreign secret services in Belgium. ‘Vrij Spel’, Clerix’ book he studied traditional Chinese medicine. “One gether with its blossoms.” He also thinks that on the same topic, was published in Dutch and French. day I woke up and told my wife, ‘I’m going the mayor of Pristina should sit down together back.’” Since then the family has been com- with his counterpart in Bilbao, to figure out muting between London and Pristina. how a Guggenheim Museum could be set up Summary: Albania has come a long way. Until 1991, the Balkan country had been in Pristina. Summary:completely isolated from the rest of the world. Almost two decades later, European ripa is constantly booked up. His diary membership is on the horizon. “It is unbelievable what Albania has achieved since Mis full of names from all of the ethnic nd Ismaili, the head of Ipko telecommu- 1991”, comments Gülden Türkoz-Coslett, resident coordinator of the United Nations groups present in Kosovo. Anyone unable to Anications, dreams of travelling without in Albania, in Clerix’ article ‘Albania, country in transition’, “Some countries need a pay for the treatment right away either pays visas, as “people who can travel don’t need to couple of centuries for these kind of changes.” But every process of transition has to when he can – or, receives free treatment. emigrate.” deal with growing pains. Today Albania ranks 68th on the UN-Human Development “Therapy doesn’t distinguish between rich and Index, which means it is one of the least-developed countries in Europe. And poverty poor, ugly and beautiful. Acupuncture aims is not the only challenge. In his article, Clerix e.g. describes the revival of the Kanun to create harmony, which we want to see in blood feud in the north of the country (another symptom of the transition process) Kosovo. We’ve got a lot to share”, says Mripa. and analyses the political upheavel in the aftermath of the Gerdec disaster, in which 26 Albanians got killed. Clerix gives the floor to Albanian students, NGOs, journalists, pathy and hopelessness seem to be un- politicians, diplomats and international organisations. “Europe must integrate the Afamiliar concepts in Pristina, and those Western Balkans as soon as possible,” concludes Edi Rama, the charismatic mayor of who are determined to play active parts in the Tirana. “For in the end, 22 million people can’t stay behind in the middle of Europe.” regeneration of the city are spinning dreams, regardless of obstacles. On her new CD “Songs from Kosovo”, the young jazz singer Irina Karamarkovic, from the Serbian part of the Estimation of jury: The article is about the potential candidature of Albania for EU city of Mitrovica, works with old songs from membership. It describes the present situation in Albania on many levels: in a family various ethnic groups. She has dedicated the circle as well as in a city and in the whole country. The evolution that the country has album to “those who have lost their identity”. known thanks to the EU is described too. The journalist visited Albania to make his report and he did an extensive research work; he gives a lot of descriptions and the reader is really immersed in the country. The reader can learn a lot about Albania by reading this article. Furthermore, the journalistic style and the writing are very good. 18 ¡ BELGIUM ¡ BELGIUM 19 ¡ Kristof Clerix ¡ Kristof Clerix

This was the case with the infamous law 7501 home town of the former communist leader Albania, country in transition that regulated landownership. Because so many Enver Hoxha and author Ismail Kadare – the Albanians didn’t accept this law, conflicts over arid mountain side turns green. The oasis – ‘Isolating the Balkans is not an option’ land often remained unsettled. The people re- showing as an equilateral triangle in the sat- turned to the Kanun as a means of solving the sit- ellite images of GoogleMaps – outlines the uation. Even if the Kanun is actively applied only village of Lazarat, notorious all over Albania. For Bushat, Northern Albania Kanun’s purpose is to prevent murder. Most of in the north, its psychological influence is present decades its inhabitants have been known for their the rules emphasise reconciliation and peace. throughout the whole of Albania. It is more im- rebellious nature. huge wall with a grey iron gate surrounds But the problem is that people don’t know the portant here than the Bible and the Koran.’ ABesian’s home. His bedroom window is Kanun. They think that they apply the laws uring the communist period, the tradition- bricked up. In the courtyard, three dogs stand appropriately, but actually they misinterpret esian shows his house, smelling of freshly Dally right-wing inhabitants of Lazarat suf- guard. To this day, the thirteen-year-old boy has them. And as such, the killing goes on.’ Bbaked bread. Frames with photos of his mur- fered particularly hard. But after 1991, many of never set foot outside the door – too afraid that he dered family members are displayed on the wall. them found a job at the customs office near the will be murdered. or instance: the Kanun states that women and Outside, in the twenty to ten metres courtyard, Greek border, only to loose it again after a change Fchildren must be spared in any blood feud. there is a well and an apple tree. Cats play among of regime. So they had the great idea of growing o kill time, Besian watches a lot of TV, pref- Well, what a lot of use that is for Besian. An me- the grapevines, and in the background the Bushat cannabis to secure a steady income. Ever since, the Terably Albanian films or international foot- diating attempt by the Committee for National mosque can be spotted. village thrives as the country’s biggest producer of ball – the French Bleus are his favourite team. Reconciliation – who claim to be succesful in cannabis – and gained a reputation for it. And three times a week, a teacher drops by. one out of every two cases – came to nothing. esian and his family live on what they grow According to Gjin Marku, as many as 6,000 peo- Bthemselves, and on a monthly church gift of t is said that Lazarat is functioning as a sort of ompletely closed off from the outside world, ple have been killed in Albania since 1991 as a about 20 euro. The boy stares at the wall. ‘I would Ifree state, beyond the control of the Albanian CBesian lives with his sister, mother, aunt, result of blood feuds, and 1,300 families currently like to play in a real football team,’ he whispers. authorities, denying acces to police and outsiders. nephew, niece and grandparents. His father and live as prisoners in their own homes. These num- ‘But that is impossible. I can’t go outside the gate. Its reputation was well established in August 2004 two uncles were murdered – his family got entan- bers are hard to verify, but it is a sure thing that Too dangerous. I don’t believe I’ll ever be free.’ when the villagers single handedly fired upon an gled in a blood feud, after a row over sheep got the Kanun is back in full force in certain areas of Italian police helicopter that was taking aerial out of hand. Northern Albania. jin Marku is a bit more hopeful. He thinks photographs of the cannabis plantations. Gthe influence of the Kanun will diminish ince the fall of the Albanian communist re- ‘During the communist period, the Kanun as the standard of living in Albania will rise. hrough a number of go-betweens and after a Sgime in 1991, the old tradition of the Kanun was strictly forbidden,’ Marku says. ‘Those ‘Poverty and a lack of education certainly play a Tgreat deal of preparatory talks, an exceptional has resurged in North Albania. The book, mean- involved in blood feuds risked death by hang- role in the resurgence of the Kanun. I expect the visit to Lazarat would be granted. ‘In Gjirokaster, while more than five hundred years old, regu- ing.’ With the downfall of communism and the mentality will change as the economical situation take the minibus direction Lazarat’, someone said lates all aspects of daily life. The most known subsequent collapse of a widespread pyramid- in Albania improves and as the judicial system through the phone that Sunday morning at the paragraph states that blood must be avenged with type savings scheme in 1997 – causing large becomes more efficient.’ end of September. But all said and done, at the blood. numbers of Albanians to loose their property very last moment, all contacts fell through: ‘You and possessions – the country fell prey to com- Lazarat, South Albania may go into Lazarat, but at your own risk. We ‘Most of the Kanun’s rules work well for the plete anarchy. cannot guarantee your safety.’ Albanian people,’ says Gjin Marku, chairman wenty five kilometres from the Greek bor- of the Committee for National Reconciliation, arku: ‘The institutions were weak, democ- Tder, the arid Mali i Gjërë mountains are Bye bye Lazarat then. a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that Mracy and human rights were still unknown, towering in a pictoresque landscape. Nearby the mediates in Kanun blood feuds. ‘In fact, the and laws barely existed or weren’t adhered to. UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokaster – 20 ¡ BELGIUM ¡ BELGIUM 21 ¡ Kristof Clerix ¡ Kristof Clerix

‘The thing is, at this very moment they’re har- erjani insists one shouldn’t stigmatize all he demonstrators believe the accident of administration: there is no continuity. Every time vesting the cannabis, they’re not keen on pri- SAlbania because of on village. ‘As a matter of Tcrown witness Trebicka happened on a mo- a new political party comes into power, the whole ers’, says Eugjëllush Serjani, local correspond- fact, I think the problem of Lazarat will solve it- ment way too convenient for some of the present administration shifts. Civil servants only have job ent in Gjirokaster for the Albianian journal self when Albania makes headway with economy. rulers. The Gerdec disaster itself, in which 26 security till next elections. That’s why they will try Shqip. ‘Only for funerals outsiders can get in.’ As it happens, the cannabis growers’ children ed- people died and hundreds were wounded or lost to gather as much money as possible during that ucated abroad might one day be working for the their homes, raises a lot of questions. Why did time, and so corruption is ubiquitous on all levels.’ ccording to the reporter the cannabis culti- EU in Brussels.’ the government outsource the destruction of tens Avation has been booming since 1998 and this of years old ammunition to a private company? n the most recent Corruption Perceptions Index year will yield about 60.000 plants. ‘The income n 2004, for the EU the incident with the heli And why did the dismantling take place right in I(CPI), Albania jumped from number 105 to 85, is an estimated thirty million euros. The seeds Istill proved that ‘essential progress in the fight the middle of a residential area, at 15 minutes dis- but there is ample evidence that corruption is still are indeed imported from Holland. They do well against organized crime and against corruption tance from the capital, and on top of that, by non- standing strong. in the microclimate of Lazarat.’ The cannabis is is crucial, otherwise integration is endangered.’ qualified personnel? smuggled over unguarded crossings into Greece, Nowadays the verdict is somewhat milder. ‘It is ‘Albania is not Poland’ then goes direction Europe. indeed no good if there’s a village that escapes ou can hear a pin drop when the colossal, the control of the authorities and justice’, says Ycharismatic mayor of Tirana and Albania’s he revival of the Kanun up North, the can- ‘Lazarat is the most prosperous village in Helmut Lohan, ambassador for the European most prominent opposition leader, Edi Rama, Tnabis cultivation in Lazarat and the problems Albania. Cannabis has changed life radically. Commission in Albania. ‘But a village is but a vil- mounts the improvised stage at the head of the around Gerdec are symptoms of the transition of Thanks to the income the villagers can send lage. I am certain that in due time, when Albania demonstration. ‘If Kosta Trebicka died in a EU- Albania, the changeover from post-communist their children to school in Great-Britain and continues on the path to European membership, country like Germany, England or France, no-one anarchy to a streamlined democracy with strong the USA. Some dwellers stopped the cultiva- the question of Lazarat will evaporate.’ would have thought he was killed. But in Albania, institutions and a healthy economy. tion and are starting up legal activities such everybody thinks a crown witness was murdered, as importing food and beverages, trading con- Tirana, Central-Albania before anything else’, says Rama. ‘Our problem lbania has come a long way. For tens of years struction materials... ‘ is not whether Prime Minister Sali Berisha has Athe country was shut off the outside world, riday evening. On the Skanderbegsquare something to do with Trebicka’s death. Our prob- Tirana even got out of touch with the Soviet Union eavily armed police patrol the road board- Fin the centre of the capital thousands of lem is that Berisha has something to do with the and China for a while. ‘Really it is quite unbeliev- Hing Lazarat. Serjani: ‘The police doesn’t get Albanians assemble – mainly followers of the left death of hope.’ able, all that Albania has achieved the past seven- access to Lazarat. Not to take on the cannabis cul- opposition – to protest against the government of teen years’, says Gülden Türkoz-Coslett, resident tivation that is, they can get in for other matters Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The car accident of upporters of Mjaft also joined the demonstra- coordinator of the United Nations in Albania. like murder or theft. In August, the police confis- businessman Kosta Trebicka prompted this man- Stion. This NGO, partly funded by a number ‘Some countries need a couple of centuries for cated ten tank trucks near Lazarat to cut off water ifestation: he died mid September, in broad day- of Western countries, has criticized the mis- these kind of changes.’ supplies. Every year the police tries to mount that light, on a straight stretch of road. A few months government of Albania since 2003. Mjaft also kind of actions. To no avail: the cultivation con- earlier in an interview with the New York Times, provides judicial advice to some of the victims ürkoz-Coslett emphasizes one shouldn’t com- tinues. The police doesn’t want to make matters Trebicka had revealed the link between persons of the Gerdec-disaster. ‘The biggest problem of Tpare Albania too easily with other Eastern worse either, and tries to avoid an armed conflict close to the Berisha-government, the illegal arms Albania today is that the institutions don’t func- European countries. ‘This is not Poland. The with Lazarat. For the villagers possess kalash- trafficking from Albania to Afghanistan and the tion independently.’ says Mjaft-spokesman Ervin Albanians had to begin from scratch seventeen years nikovs: during communism a military unit was tragic explosions of ammunition depots in Gerdec Qafmolla. ‘People don’t believe in it anymore.’ ago, there were hardly any existing institutions. stationed at Lazarat, including an arms depot.’ in March 2008. Again: the evolution of a country that was isolated afmolla: ‘If an examining magistrate falls for so long to what Albania is today, is truly remark- Qout of grace politically, he is substituted by able, despite all its imperfections and challenges.’ another. The judicial system fails. Same thing for 22 ¡ BELGIUM ¡ BELGIUM 23 ¡ Kristof Clerix ¡ Kristof Clerix

oday Albania ranks 68th on the UN-Human This doesn’t mean you can start up a business ama’s office in Tirana’s city hall next to the Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia TDevelopment Index, just after Bosnia and in Albania just like that. Disputes over the prop- Rcentral mosque and the Skanderbegsquare and Bosnia, for in the end, 22 million people can’t Russia, which means it is one of the least devel- erty rights of grounds are the worst impediment. looks impressive: books, CD’s, colour markers stay behind in the middle of Europe.’ oped countries in Europe – only Macedonia and Chances are that you buy a piece of ground today, all over the place – Rama doesn’t hide his artistic Moldavia are doing worse. And yet, economically and tomorrow you are facing a third party that background. To many Albanians Rama, with his recisely the prospect of European membership it achieved a hopeful lot. Türkoz-Coslett: ‘The past claims ownership. Furthermore, infrastructure in innovative ideas and self-assured style, represents Pis the motor of the developments in Albania, six years, the economy has grown five per cent all Albania needs a thorough facelift. Some roads hope for a better future. If he manages to unite the beacon in the turbulent period of transition. A yearly. Of course, remittances of Albanians abroad are in such a bad state that it takes six hours to the divided left opposition, then next parliamen- first step to membership is the Stabilisation- and have part in it. They send about one billion dollar cover a 200 km (125 mile) distance. Let alone that tary elections may bring him into power. Association Agreement between Europe and Albania per year to the home country, one seventh of the electricity fails regularly for a couple of hours, signed in 2006. ‘The European Union repeatedly GNP.’ even in the capital Tirana. ama: ‘When I became mayor in 2000, nobody confirmed its commitment to accept the countries Rbelieved Tirana would change. Eight years ago in this region’, says EC-ambassador Lohan. ‘The C-ambassador Lohan: ‘On the ax Tirana- ut despite all these hindrances, Albania does Tirana was a chaotic place: buildings everywhere, political will is there, now it’s up to the countries EDürres, there’s a continuous afflux of new Bhave potential. One of the winning cards for without any green or public space, nothing worth to meet the entry criteria. Much progress has been companies. It means that there are entrepreneurs, the future can be tourism. Albania lies between a nice picture. It was just the middle of nowhere. made in Albania, but not equally in all areas.’ that there’s economic activity, that there are Italy and Greece, has an ideal climate and a But today the capital has a mediterranean fysion- people who expect profits. Substantial endeav- 362 km (226 miles) long, beautiful Adriatic coast- omy, with nice, intriguing quarters and squares. ccording to Lohan, a lot remains to be done ours are made in the construction sector, in and line. It can boast a rich history, with quite a few Nothing is impossible. Nobody expects me to turn Ain the judicial field and in the fight against outside Tirana – also a sign of confidence and archeological sites dating back to Greek-Roman Albania into Belgium or Switzerland within four corruption. ‘But you can’t expect the present economic prospects in the future.’ In the IMF- times, or with cities such as Berat and Gjirokaster. or eight years. But it is possible to make Albania a situation to turn into paradise overnight. Look, ranking, Albania moved from a low-income to Plus there are the mountains up north. When it country where people can live in dignity and safe- Albania is a really wonderful country, its popu- mid-income country. comes to holidays to anybody’s taste, Albania has ty. Look, I am not a wizard, but an acitve citizen, I lation is really friendly and open. We must help it all: beaches, culture, adventure. don’t even insist on being a politician, but just want them move closer towards our standards, because he Albanian Chamber of Commerce re- to do my utmost best to help change the country. that’s what the Albanians want. They’ve come a Tports that investments in Albania increased Europe on the horizon To my humble opinion this must be possible.’ long way, from a black hole in Europe. Albania with four percent. To attract even more foreign made enormous progress since 1991, we must do investors, the Berisha government drew up a list n Tirana, where seventeen years ago families ama does insist European support is essen- every possible effort to support them in this.’ of measures. For instance, since two years com- Ihad to do with a ration of five eggs, two pounds Rtial. ‘For Albania it’s a hard road to the EU. panies can buy grounds for one euro per square of meat and 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of coffee per In part this has to do with history. This part of meter (per 3.3 square feet) and the company week, you now find the best restaurants, serv- Europe must get help in the process of integration. registration fee is one symbolic euro. Moreover, ing excellent pastas, fresh fish and nice wine. We must be considered a challenge for Europe, ALBANIA: FACTS & FIGURES since early 2008 taxes on operating profits were The grey facades all have been done up with a not as an isolated area. That’s of no use to any us. reduced from twenty to ten per cent. fresh coat of paint, roads have been repaired, the Isolation turns out to be much costlier than inte- Area: about the size of Belgium or Switzerland. hundreds of illegal dwellings have disappeared. gration. And I’m talking about the whole region he World Bank is pleased with Berisha’s eco- Mercedes cars everywhere, the status symbol par here, not only Albania. Europe must integrate the Population: 3.6 million – an estimated 1 million Tnomic policy: in its recently published, con- excellence in Albania. By day the city is bustling whole area as soon as possible, leaving out com- Albanians live abroad, amongst them 600,000 in troversial Doing Business Report, which examines with life, by night foreigners can safely walk the plicated bureaucratic procedures. It would be ter- Greece and 200,000 in Italy. how easy it is to do business, Albania is praised as streets. Tirana is alive and kicking, at least in part rible if one or two countries in the region stay be- one of the spearhead reformers of the past year. thanks to mayor Edi Rama. hind. The European Union absolutely must accept 24 ¡ BELGIUM ¡ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 25 ¡ Kristof Clerix ¡ Zeljko Derajic

Religion: 70 per cent muslim, 20 per cent Albanian- Zeljko Derajic was born in 1981 in Banja Luka. In 2006 orthodox, 10 per cent Roman Catholic. Albania is he graduated with a degree in Journalism in Banja Luka. praised for its interreligious tolerance and in this CVDuring his studies, he worked in the daily newspaper Glas respect it is a beacon of stability in the Balkans. Srpske and after finishing university he started working in the Independent newspaper, where he still works. He likes Economy: six out of ten Albanians make a living to write stories and life stories. He loves music, and has out of agriculture, often small scale organic crop been performing for many years in restaurants. He loves production or stock farming. Textile and shoes to travel and do humanitarian work. are the main export products. Important trade partners are Italy, Greece and Germany, account- ing for 85 per cent of Albania’s export. Summary: In 2008, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, citizens were able to keep wild animals in any possible way and place because there was no law on animal protection. Politics: President Bamir Topi (since July 2007); Because of this many tigers, bears and wolves were kept illegally (in fact legally, be- Prime Minister Sali Berisha (since 10th September cause there were no laws against it) by private zoo gardens, where their treatment 2005). was extremely unprofessional and in some cases inhumane. This attitude of the state of BiH towards animals created the conditions in which Miljen the bear, the hero of International: in 2006, the European Union and my story, found himself. As a bear cub, he was put in a private zoo near Prijedor. The Albania signed a Stabilisation- and Association zoo was soon closed, animals sold, and Miljen remained inside without any food, wa- Agreement, a first step towards EU-membership. ter or basic living conditions. This resulted in malnutrition, the emergence of disease During the NATO summit in Bucharest (April and exhaustion, until the animal was found by a Belgrade film director in Banja Luka 2008) Albania was granted entry to NATO. who informed the Association for protection of animals. After finding the bear, a long battle started with the administration, which did not allow the bear to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina. But a few months after Miljen’s departure, Bosnia passed a law on protection and welfare of animals, which states that wild animals may not be held in private homes and garden zoos. In May 2008, Miljen the bear was placed in a rehabilitation center where he successfully recovered, and where he now resides.

Estimation of jury: Excellent and provokative point of view about actual situation in BiH, regarding visa liberation process and as well excellent journalistic work. Simple social theme in whole new light. It also represents position of our country towards EU on new and unusual way. Good provokative journalistic piece that represents the opinion of most of BiH population 26 ¡ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ¡ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 27 ¡ Zeljko Derajic ¡ Zeljko Derajic

n fact, due to the bear’s malnourished state, the “We’re not familiar with that incident, but we have Miljen’s ordeal comes to an end Iwhole operation was brought into question be- the authority to act on reported improper keeping cause it was feared that Miljen wouldn’t survive all and endangerment of domestic animals. Wild an- the necessary tests and veterinary examinations. imals are not within the authority of Communal ot far from Prijedor, Miljen the bear, spent he bear’s suffering, apparently, has finally Police, and if anyone had filed a request or com- Nthe last two years locked in a caged area Tcome to an end. But the question remains: “After we had assessed the condition of the ani- plaint, we would have directed him or her to the measuring just 400 square metres. His ordeal who was responsible for it, and why did it take mal, we informed the Association for Protection Veterinary Inspectorate which would take ac- took place in inhuman conditions, far from two years before someone noticed the starving of Animals – ‘Help Animals’ – from Belgrade, tion in this case,” said Miroslav Krneta, Prijedor the public gaze. The bear was brought here as and thirsty animal? which sent a team of experts to examine the bear. Communal Police Chief. a cub eight years ago, to a zoo owned by the We barely found a vein to take blood from. This in “Sherwood” Hotel. After the owner, Milorad Disastrous health turn was sent to a laboratory in Ljubljana in order t the Veterinary Inspectorate of Prijedor, we Milakovic, had been sentenced to nine years in to determine if he was rabid. We are still waiting Awere told that two years ago they had issued prison in 2004 for human trafficking, the new s far as Bogdana Mijic from Banjaluka’s for the results,” says Ms. Mijic. a certificate authorising transportation of the bear owner sold all the other animals. But Miljen A“Noa” association can tell, five tigers and to Belgrade. After that, nobody contacted them. was left to fend for himself. two wolves, as well as Miljen, were all held aving had his blood taken and undergone a And they didn’t check for themselves whether the captive in the zoo. The tigers and wolves were Hfull veterinary examination, Miljen was put bear had been taken away. e only survived thanks to a local resident, finally relocated to other zoos. But Miljen’s on a supplemental feeding programme. He needs HDarko Sevic. Darko used to visit and feed transfer to Belgrade Zoo was cancelled at the two and a half kilos of meat a day, as well as two “We hope that the situation will be resolved, and him occasionally, giving him just enough food last minute because there was no room for him and a half kilos of fruit and vegetables. The duty that the bear will survive veterinary treatment to survive. Then, Miljen’s prospects took a turn there. Over the last two years, the bear was vis- of feeding him was undertaken by “Sherwood” and arrive in France safely,” said Vesna Lukic, for the better. Whilst he was in the process ited and fed by Darko Sevic, who used to buy waiter Davor Gvozden, who started a food collec- Chief Veterinary Inspector. of shooting the film “The Tour”, the camera- two loaves of bread for him every day. tion campaign in Prijedor. man Miljenko Kljakovic from Belgrade came No law across the otherwise totally deserted zoo and “I threw the bread into the bear’s cage, as I felt “The citizens of Prijedor are willing to help fat- found the bear in one of the cages. He informed sorry for him suffering in such conditions. That ten up the bear so that he can survive another vet- osnia and Herzegovina still has no law pro- “Noa” – the Society for Protection of Animals was enough for him to survive, and now I am erinary examination and an impending sedation. Btecting animals. And that is one of the reasons from Banjaluka – which started an extensive glad that someone has finally started a rescue They call me every day. We hope that the cam- for the situation in which Miljen found himself. campaign to rescue Miljen from his plight. operation,” says Darko. paign will keep up this pace, and that we’ll suc- ceed in making him stronger,” said Davor. ccording to the Veterinary Office in Sarajevo, he plan is to move the bear into he bear’s condition was critical when it was Athey are aware of his condition and transpor- T“Respectons” Rehabilitation Centre in Tfound. Instead of the 200 kilogrammes that Neglected bear tation to France. According to Slobodanka Cekic, France, which operates in cooperation with the Miljen should have weighed according to his Senior Expert Associate at the Veterinary Office, Brigitte Bardot Foundation. This foundation body size, he weighed only 75. n the past two years, nobody in Prijedor com- the basic problem is the absence of a law which is equipped to provide shelter for bears from Iplained about the bear. Nor, seemingly, did would include a ‘red book’ of protected animals. captivity, and to encourage their rehabilitation “When we saw him, I couldn’t believe the con- anyone report Miljen’s fate and condition to the in accordance with EU regulations. The entire dition he was in. His paws were damaged, too, Communal Police. According to the authorities, “If the law had been adopted, something like this project will be funded by the French associa- from walking and sleeping in urine,” explains nobody contacted them regarding the matter. would not have happened to the bear. In this way, tion, “Respectons". Ms. Mijic. those who are responsible probably cannot be 28 ¡ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ¡ BULGARIA 29 ¡ Zeljko Derajic ¡ Vladislav Velev prosecuted, as there is no law” said Ms. Cekic, “We managed to engage Mr. Prof. Đuro Huber Vladislav Velev is a Bulgarian radio journalist. He used to adding that adoption of the aforementioned law from Zagreb and Duško Cikovic with his team work at the Bulgarian section of the BBC World Service, in is pending. from Belgrade for this treatment. Their task is CVlocal radio stations in Pleven and Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. to sedate the bear twice, at a 30-day interval Now he is part of the team of Darik Radio – the Bulgarian he authorities have sought the comments and to take blood samples, implant the chip, national independent radio station. He is covering mainly Tand suggestions from all associations for and cleanse him of worms and skin parasites,” European events. protection of animals prior to bringing a law says Mijic. concerning protected animals on to the statute book. Consultation is in its final stages, and the dditionally, if the bear is to leave Bosnia law is expected to be passed soon. Aand Herzegovina, two key items will need to be provided: a blood test result certificate Summary: Sedianka is an old Bulgarian tradition of gathering the lads and the Collecting required documents confirming that he is not rabid, and a chip im- maidens from a village. This used to happen in the evenings and the people usually plantation certificate. sat in circle. Usually, the girls were singing and doing woman’s work and the lads hilst food for the bear is being collected were singing and entertaining the girls. Sedianka is a synonym of nice company of Win Prijedor, the “Noa” association is dili- nly when all the documents are collected close friends. Something like this was made in Belgium by Ann and Alain Sansen. gently collating all the documentation required Owill everything be ready for Miljen to They live in Liege but met in Brussels during a Bulgarian folk dances course. The for its transportation. leave Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finally be Sansens loved Bulgarian customs, music, dances and culture. They married dressed moved to the rehabilitation centre in France in traditional Bulgarian costumes. Ann and Alain visit Bulgaria at least once a year “We have informed the Ministry of Agriculture, that he needs so badly. and their house in Liege is unique with something typically Bulgarian – a bench in Forestry and Waterworks of RS, Veterinary front of the house, which could be used for sedianka. Ann and Alain now run en- Office of the Ministry for Foreign Trade and semble for Bulgarian folk dances, which is called Sedianka. The ensemble is already Economic Affairs in Sarajevo and are cooper- ten-years-old. There are Bulgarians, Belgians and a Russian practising Bulgarian folk ating with an authorised veterinary inspector,” dances there. All of them are in love with authentic Bulgarian dances and music and says Ms. Mijic. are an excellent example of unity between the cultures in the EU.

ragan Mijic, the President of the DAssociation, stresses that one major prob- Estimation of jury: This report provides an individual view of the consequences of lem is the lack of veterinarians in Bosnia and EU enlargement and highlights the positive aspects for citizens by providing a very Herzegovina who are trained to treat the bear clear idea of how enlargement has broadened their cultural worldview. The report in accordance with EU standards. also shows the cultural exchange between the different nations which always in- creases with the expansion of the EU. Overall, the report is very professional and presented in a good journalistic style. 30 ¡ BULGARIA ¡ BULGARIA 31 ¡ Vladislav Velev ¡ Vladislav Velev

NN (IN FRENCH): Our group is an excellent example for a union between two countries – like Bulgarian Sedianka in Belgium Aus for example – Belgium and Bulgaria. Our group has nothing to do with the politics. And you can’t make any difference in it between Bulgarians and Belgians.

ARRATOR: Three years after Bulgaria’s you fall in love with the music, you start to love LAIN (IN FRENCH): There are Bulgarians, a Russian, a Polish, Flemmish, Valonians in the Njoining the EU the country behaves like the costumes. Then you start to get interested Agroup. We’ve never had any problems. People have gathered here because they love Bulgarian disobedient and noisy child. Some politicians in the details of different regions, because each music and folklore. There are no any obstacles. It’s not like in the politics. think that the joining could have been a mis- of them has a different choreography, costumes. take and the enlargment of the union could Then you get interested in the country, in its ATMO BULGARIAN FOLK SONG have happened later. But beside the politicians history. That’s how the things happen. there are other opinions. Vladislav Velev tells EPORTER: Hardly often Bulgarian, Belgian and Russian politicians could do a thing together. how Bulgarian folk dances and music unite NN (IN FRENCH): That way, a little by RBut in Liege Bulgarians, a Russian and Belgians spend an hour together each week, dancing people from several countries in the heart of Alittle that became our passion, we found Bulgarian dances. Diana, Ruslana, Rosi and Carine: common Europe – Belgium. something that touched our hearts. I love making the costumes, I even made some puppets in IANA (IN BULGARIAN): We are neighbours, I live just a few houses from here. Some time ATMO REHEARSAL – BULGARIAN FOLK Bulgarian costumes. Dago I owned a souvenir shop and used to sell things from Bulgaria. When they saw this we got MUSIC acquainted and they were always inviting me to join their group. And four years ago I decided to EPORTER: Until now Ann has made 12 join. EPORTER: About ten people have gath- Rcostumes from different parts of Bulgaria. Rered late in the night, in a sports hall in the Each of the costumes takes at least two months USLANA (IN RUSSIAN): I started to come here because a friend of mine dances in the group. I outskirts of Liege and rehearse Bulgarian folk to be made and the hardest thing, says Ann, Rwent to some of their concerts, I liked the music and the costumes, I liked the people, the mood. dances. This is the Sedianka ensamble, founded is sewing in the sequins. The traditional That suits me perfectly. ten years ago by Alain and Ann Sansen. Alain Bulgarian shoes – carvuli – are also made by is a Valonian – a professional choreographer – hand – by Alain. OSI (IN BULGARIAN): I think that Bulgaria, as a country – was not ready to become part of who met his wife Ann – Flemish English teach- Rthe European Union, but as a part of Europe – we’re there. But this is a political question. er – more than ten years ago in Brussels: here is something very unusual for Belgium Tat the front of the house of the Sansens – ARIN (IN FRENCH): I think that the mood in the group, the atmosphere, the reactions of the NN (IN FRENCH): My passion for a bench for sedianka, just like in front of a Caudience during the concerts, everything is great! ABulgarian music and dances came a long Bulgarian village house. They don’t do sedian- time ago. My brother liked to listen to music kas in Belgium, but the bench is the attraction ach week the dancers learn a new dance. They do not pay to participate in the ensemble, they pay from different countries and once I heard acci- in the block. In the house everything is made Ejust a small fee for insurance and rent of the hall. dentally a Bulgarian song. I liked it very much in Bulgarian traditional style – the wooden and started going to a Bulgarian folk dances panels, the traditional music instruments hung lain, who is a professional choreographer, goes to seminar in Brussels, where a colleague of his course in Brussels. I come from Bruge but I up on the wall, the pottery, the paintings with Afrom Bulgarian state ensemble Pirin has lectures. Then – each week – Alain teaches the same went to Brussels. That’s where I met Allain. views from villages and towns. Ann and Alain the people from Sedianka. So at the last dancers from different countries, gathered in the heart of who visit Bulgaria at least once a year say wi- Belgium look like they were born in Bulgaria and dance from their childhood. LAIN (IN FRENCH): first you start to love ithout hesitation, that their ensemble is a good Athe music, than you start to dance. When example of friendship: ATMO BULGARIAN MUSIC 32 ¡ CROATIA ¡ CROATIA 33 ¡ Miho Dobrašin ¡ Miho Dobrašin

Miho Dobrasin, born in 1982, is a professional journalist, working for the leading Croatian business daily Poslovni Greece is writing European history all CCVDnevnik.V Since 2005, he has reported on financial markets, economy and international relations. Miho over again studied Economics at the University of Zagreb, majoring in Economic Development and Analysis. During his career, he has participated in several journalism programmes urning back on Greece would surely be elatively little time has passed since and summer schools abroad. He lives in Zagreb. Ta drastic blow to the enthusiasm of its Rthat conversation, and Croatia has been citizens, and it is certain that euro-scepticism blocked from pre-accession negotiations. would spread to other countries. Estonia has fallen further into deep economic Summary: The current financial and economic crisis unveiled the fragility of the Eu- depression, the Italian Prime Minister has had ropean monetary Union. The absence of the common budget related mechanism, child is crying. Beside him stands a his teeth broken, and even the Finnish girl has which exists in every nation state, and which purpose is to transfer funds from well- A burned house. A group of armed peo- stopped getting in touch. Soon, it rapidly be- off parts to the regions in need, has stirred extensive political debate. Is it time for ple passes by, ignoring his plight. Statesmen comes clear that, instead of being the tourist national political elites to diminish their fiscal sovereignty in favour of the EU? It also then appear on the television, unconvincingly centre of Europe, Greece might instead become raises the question of European identity. If that identity really exists, taxpayers in repeating their belief that the confrontation the centre of street riots provoked by austerity countries like Germany would finance their counterparts in Greece. Obviously, EU must be ended. My friend, a reporter from the measures placed by its Government. countries have not reached that stage yet, but the Greek problem is an unprecedent- Middle East, is getting more and more nerv- ed test for the EU project. It is a ticking time bomb that could ruin all integration ous. The report concludes as he resigns himself nvestors, nervous at the prospect of Athens ideals such as solidarity, prosperity, and identity. to repeating his words – “You see there is no Ireneging on its accumulated debts, have end to this”. The screen then shows a person started crushing the value of the euro with with a pale face, whose speech betrays a little widespread selling. Every day, the common Estimation of jury: The jury chose the article “Greece writes European history once more confidence. “A strong economy is neces- currency, a symbol of European unification, again” as the most successful and mature work of journalism. The jury found that the sary for the preservation of the European way increasingly slides toward its lowest value in work described, in an objective way that was comprehensible to the general public, of life”, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the the last ten years, which is, accordingly, the du- issues related to the economic crisis that has struck Greece and the attitude of EU in- European Union says fervently. The reporter ration of its lifetime. Distrust toward the euro stitutions and citizens’ opinions on whether the stumbling Greek economy should be from the Middle East asks me how I view this is a reflection of a weakened faith in the stabil- helped, and how. The jury emphasised that the article takes an interesting and original ‘European way of life’. ity of the eurozone, which, in turn, erodes the approach to several intertwining topics, the language and style are clear and acces- very concept of the European Union. sible, making the topic interesting to a wider audience, and the author’s combination fter a brief moment of silence, I answer of the current issues with personal experience makes it even more interesting. Ahim. The ‘European way of life’ is when, itizens throughout the EU, usually unin- in an Italian restaurant in Estonia, speaking Cterested in European issues as indicated English I can invite a Finnish girl that I met by the low turn-out during elections for the in Greece, to come to Croatia. That is how I European Parliament and diminished sup- view the EU. That brings back a smile to the port for the EU, are now becoming more in- face of my friend from the Middle East, but I terested. They are concerned by suggestions notice that he either doesn’t really understand, that they will need to finance Greek debt. or perhaps is simply unable to understand. The Greeks are in turn nervous that others 34 ¡ CROATIA ¡ CROATIA 35 ¡ Miho Dobrašin ¡ Miho Dobrašin don’t want to finance them. The question of in favour of a Union. With this in mind, should oubtless, the concealing of financial in- whether Germany and its taxpayers, for ex- Greece be permitted to ask for assistance from Dformation, as well as the excessive spend- ample, should finance Greece, is a legitimate the International Monetary Fund? If the answer ing of Greece in the mistaken belief that it one. Especially when we consider that nobody is yes, should it therefore be excluded from the would have unlimited access to loans, is to be is sure how long Greece will require financial eurozone? The most obvious answer is no, if condemned. However, the stake is very high. aid, and whether other countries will soon these elites still believe in the concept of the EU The financiers, as a part of elite which on av- emerge with similar requests. At present, the as a block that offers prosperity. If the surveys erage support European integration by 89%, only apparent reason why they might inter- are to be trusted, citizens are more than indif- are too aware of this. So, it is to be expected vene is that at some point the Germany itself ferent towards the EU. that the governments of the EU member coun- might require similar help from its European tries, most likely led by Germany, will finance counterparts. But there could be another rea- ccording to information released by Greek debt, even in the face of objections from son – that of European identity. AEurobarometer in December last year, most EU citizens. It may seem that the elites only 53% of Europeans believe that EU mem- are pushing forward with the project of unifi- ut does this form of identity exist at bership is good for their country. It is note- cation against the will of ordinary citizens, but Ball? There isn’t, for example, a common worthy that Greece is one of the biggest sup- so far it is clear that integration brings peace European history textbook, and most people porters of the EU. While in spring 45% of and stability, which in turn is a pre-condition will first acknowledge their own national- Greeks agreed that the membership had been for economic growth and development. ity before mentioning that they are European a good move, in autumn 2009 that percentage citizens. If the Greek problem were, for exam- had risen to as high as 61%. The abandonment s the great Greek statesman Pericles once ple, an issue relating to a particular German of Greece would surely be a drastic blow to the Asaid, during the “golden age of Athens”, region, the matter would be quickly resolved. enthusiasm of its citizens, and it is certain that 425 BC: “Remember, too, that if your country Therefore, solidarity within nations is beyond euro-scepticism would spread in other coun- has the greatest name in the world, it is because question, as wealthier regions will, through tries. We can imagine what kind of message it never bent before disaster.” Today’s Brussels their own means, redistribute funds from this would send to the candidate countries and Europe’s leaders should certainly contem- a central budget to assist less developed re- for EU membership such as Croatia, Turkey, plate this. And react as soon as possible. gions. Without creating such a system at EU Macedonia, Serbia, etc. level, the further survival of monetary union is in doubt. To achieve this, member countries lack of assistance for Greece could be in- would need to further abdicate their national A terpreted as if member countries insist on sovereignty, following on from their previous the fulfilment of difficult commitments, even abdication of their own monetary policies. at the sacrifice of certain national interests, whilst simultaneously sending out the message espite all the progress to date, which is by that they too could be unable to rely on help. Dno means negligible, at present it is unlike- Also, we shouldn’t ignore the constantly grow- ly that there will be additional political unifica- ing popularity of euro-sceptics – extreme left tion. In other words, national political elites are and right parties who were the big winners in still not ready to give up their sovereign power the last election for the European parliament. 36 ¡ CYPRUS ¡ CYPRUS 37 ¡ Andreas Polycarpou ¡ Andreas Polycarpou

Andreas Polycarpou was born on 28th of June 1984 in Nicosia, Cyprus. He graduated from Panteion University in European integration or national CV2008 specialising in journalism and civilization. In the past year he has worked as a freelance journalist and currently isolation he is completing his master’s in International Relations and European Studies, with an emphasis on Political Philosophy, at the University of Peiraias. he high stakes raised in 1957 with the abstained from all community efforts, instead TTreaty of Rome continue to concern his- building a rival organization with Eastern torians and political scientists. The concern is European countries by providing them with the success or failure of European integration financial aid (Comecon) and the Warsaw Pact Summary: After thousands of years, respublica christiana shifted to the EU. These in a world that is continually changing. At the military alliance. The foundation was set and days the EU is synonymous with a modern international system and national gover- beginning of the 21st century, public opinion the European idea passed from being a simple ments find themselves in a race to try to change the state’s isolation. All the EU mem- is still divided concerning European integra- concept to being put into practice. bers need to overcome political, economical and national obstacles and broaden tion. Europe is torn between the wills of mul- their horizons with liberalism and laissez-faire. tinational financial interests and the military owever, there were more than a few in- apparatus of NATO, with nation-states contin- Hternal problems. Since the formulation of After in-depth philosophical thought, nobody can be sure if this venture can be re- uing to gather around their autonomous na- the military organization NATO in 1949, the alized. How can we outline the situation of the modern state? Can we pass all the tional concepts. At the same time, immigrants USA strove to maintain a presence in European obstacles and leave behind our isolation? dressed in rags are demonized by European security matters. What the USA really sought security laws. In this context, we are called to was to create a financially strong Europe, in judge the great community vision as outlined accordance with economic liberalism and free Estimation of jury: The Cyprus jury unanimously agreed that Polycarpou’s article, in the Lisbon Treaty. market standards, while keeping it impotent “European Integration or National Isolation” should be the winner for 2010 for Cy- from a military point of view. In this way they prus. The report approaches the history of European integration in a compelling he European Coal and Steel Community tried to create a coalition that was captive to manner and poses some noteworthy questions that encourage readers to make Twas established a few years after the end American ideas so that they could control the sense of this complex process. of World War II. It was funded by the US wider Eurasia region. It was not the US that government, which sought European integra- came up with this concept but Mackinder, tion and provided the Community with $100 who highlighted the concept of the World- million in 1954. It is indisputable that the US Island mapped in the Eurasian region and the supported Europe, since it bolstered European African continent. In fact, in his book entitled reconstruction through the Marshall Plan Democratic Ideals and Reality, he claims that (1948) after the catastrophic war while “an- whoever rules the World-Island also rules the nexing” it as an American “satellite”. Europe Heartland. The ally of the US in this effort gradually moved towards further integra- was the major colonial power of Great Britain, tion with the Treaty of Rome, which estab- which did not seek adherence to the European lished the European Economic Community model. Instead it continued to express its poli- (EEC) as well as the European Atomic Energy tics through the divide-and-conquer tactic Community. The founding members were so as to keep the scales weighed in its favour, France, Italy, West Germany, the Netherlands, but also so that its own interests were not put Belgium and Luxemburg. The Soviet Union at risk in case of a European coalition, hence 38 ¡ CYPRUS ¡ CYPRUS 39 ¡ Andreas Polycarpou ¡ Andreas Polycarpou promoting the presence of its economic ally of European integration was founded on this the European economic pie. At the same time, their “humanity”. Immigrants seem like dark through the NATO military coalition. A mili- specific type of economic collaboration. As it stock exchange cartels boost their position spots in the multi-coloured European mosaic. tarily autonomous Europe, as envisioned by emerged in the Lisbon Treaty, European poli- with the help of the common European cur- For European politicians, an integrated Europe the French leader Charles De Gaulle, was an ticians seek to extend such cooperation onto rency and the elimination of all national pro- is at risk because of refugees and stateless peo- obstacle to American objectives that involved the political level. The Convention provides tectionist policies. ple rather than the frequent economic crises influencing military activity on the continent for Union representation by one President and that problematic liberalism endures. These through full control of the European military one Foreign Affairs Minister, who will wield century later, Marx’s phantoms re- efforts follow the Conquistador and Crusader powers. Of course, Britain did not want to be executive power over the political agenda A main alive in Europe. His writings are plans that first looted the rest of the world be- part of any union but, rather, it wanted to have drafted by the European Parliament. confirmed years after the fall of Realistic cause they demonized it for having different a coalition of the two Anglo-Saxon powers. Socialism, which effectively predicted eco- religions and considered it as barbaric. Eventually Charles De Gaulle’s France pulled he question is whether Europeans them- nomic capitalist integration and the elimina- out from ΝΑΤΟ, refusing to participate in a Tselves are ready to come out of their nation of the working class and which in 1991 he issue of national identity is very impor- coalition that wished to fully control Europe tional shells and create interstate institutions. saw the Soviet Union dissolve under the Ttant and has given rise to related literature. and its integration efforts. The point is that the Peace of Westphalia gave sounds of the Perestroika requiem. On the Several modern philosophers and legal and rise to the “Westphalian Birds” (a paraphrase other hand, European states are armoured political scientists argue over cultural identity he demand for an economically and mili- of the Stymphalian Birds), i. e. states which behind modern walls, preventing immigrants and its impact on the human psyche. In Great Ttarily autonomous Europe to this day be- no Hercules can slay. To create a unified and from remaining on European soil. After the Britain, some important conclusions were ar- leaguers ideologists of European integration. independent community, cultural structures, Geneva Convention in 1951, which provided rived at following journalistic and scientific We shall take a look inside the gatherings citizen cooperation, common values and the for the legal protection of refugees and state- research studies (mainly after the terrorist at- that gave birth to the integration concept, and psychology that they are part of a political less people, we note the ever increasing trend tack in London in 2005), since, as delineated board the vehicle of virtual reality so that we constellation must be developed. European to persecute immigrants and the increase of in these specific studies, the terrorist target is may land on a metanational idea based on the peoples have different origins and cultures, racial discrimination. Jacques Derrida, in his none other than the “Islamisation” of the en- break-down of national barriers and the efforts and in spite of their rulers’ efforts to forge the book Beyond Cosmopolitanism, poses the tire British island. Also, most members of ter- to forge a common European identity; a very European identity in accordance with classical question concerning the nature of people with rorist groups in Great Britain are part of the difficult effort that may easily be considered civilization and Christian ideals, the differ- “no papers”. Who are these people? What does middle class, being British citizens themselves. quixotic. The international system lies in a ent peoples have not found enough common the term “people with no papers” mean? Is Indeed, as second-generation immigrants they state of political anarchy, i. e. there is no power ground to unite them. this a new human subspecies which is below have never travelled to the countries their par- above states that controls and pulls the strings Homo Europeus? The political integration ef- ents originally came from. Additionally, some of national politics in each state. Nation-states wenty years after the fall of the Berlin fort is supported by many extreme and neo- of them are not Muslim in culture but ex- are rational players who unite around their TWall, the Western political bloc still Nazi elements as well as modern supporters of Christians who converted to the Muslim reli- security, and are shielded behind their his- strives for unification through the creation European racial purity, who are assigned legal gion at a later stage in life. Therefore the rising torically cohesive identity. For the time being of a distinct culture, namely the culture of status through institutionalized provisions, question concerns causes and reasons behind there are no cohesive bonds in international the West. Economic imperialism has now such as the French law on the provision of the concept of culture. Every person has the relations. Europe is still divided into nations. penetrated national borders. Modern cartels hospitality introduced by Debreux so that “le- right to the free enjoyment of religion, ideas, European citizens find it easier to uphold their implement the will of liberalism daily by ap- gal” French citizens are prevented from wel- culture, and active participation in religious cultural roots, denouncing liberal structures plying the policy of economic concession and coming immigrants. Even in Europe, modern ceremonies of his/her specific creed, without of economic liberalism which claims that the decline of internal small and medium Auschwitz-type “pogroms” are built, where being subject to interference and threats. states should integrate, with economic coop- markets. Multinationals uphold the concept European soul collectors imprison refugees eration as the target. At its birth, the concept of integration by grasping the lion’s share in and deprive them of dignity and the essence of 40 ¡ CYPRUS ¡ CZECH REPUBLIC 41 ¡ Andreas Polycarpou ¡ Petr Horký

hese norms had been established in the tions, as happened in the case of retirement Petr Horký was born in Prague, where he studied TUN Charter for Human Rights so that age limits. A common intervention economic Journalism at Charles University and also at VOSP college. state interference in private lives would be policy will favour citizen cooperation by cul- CVRecently, Petr has finished an MA in Photojournalism at restricted, as well as for the protection and tivating mutual trust. We may then be in a the University of Westminster in London. He has worked as respect of minorities which found themselves position to talk about European integration. a correspondent for the Czech daily business newspaper under the authority of foreign nations after the Centuries after the fall of Christendom, when E15 and also contributed as a reporter to Reflex magazine. end of World War I. In order to protect minor- the entire European region was under the As a journalist, Petr works mainly as a foreign reporter ities, and following approval by the Security Pope’s authority, as well as the rule of church on social and economic issues in European countries. Council, the UN intervenes in some states law, Saint Augustine’s theocratic ideology Currently he lives in Berlin. where the transgression of human rights is and the guidance of the Latin language, an noted. In 1999 however, NATO and US armed attempt for European integration was made. forces bombarded Yugoslavia and later broke The Christian, Western unifying effort failed Summary: In October 2009, Ireland held a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty. up its territory without approval from the UN and Europe was led to the Thirty Years’ War On that day, the eyes of Europe were focused on its most western country, as an General Council. In that case the European (1618–1648). Nation-states were created fol- Irish “no” would have buried the treaty. The debate on whether the treaty is good or Union blindly followed US and NATO dogma, lowing the signing of the Peace of Westphalia bad for Ireland concentrated on issues of Irish sovereignity, military independence reinforcing their position and perpetuating in the 17th century. Since then Europe has and others. This report hones in on one of the strongholds of the “NO vote” camp the “Puppet” and American satellite policy. never known any political and cultural unifi- in Ireland, namely, the southern city of Limerick. The American company Dell, that It kept to the same tactics during the Iraq cation beyond economic cooperation, with the used to be a major employer in the area, decided that the production would move War in 2003, when it accepted NATO’s wish exception of unification through war achieved to Poland, where labour is cheaper. The locals, from ordinary factory workers to the to search for Iraqi nuclear weapons that were by both Napoleon and Hitler. The political major of Limerick, felt betrayed by the company. But they were also blaming the never found. Therefore in order to consider undertaking of the Lisbon Treaty is too am- EU, which has given a large subsidy to Lodz, a Polish industrial city with high unem- the European community as a strong and au- bitious and romantic for the current interna- ployment rate, which was selected as the place to relocate the plant. This raised the tonomous entity, its members should become tional system, in which wars occur and the question how can we vote for the EU, if it supports moving of companies from one independent of NATO and US hegemony. phenomena of unbalanced growth and power member states in favor of another? Since its establishment, the European Union among states prevail. Perhaps the rise of a new has been the loyal representative of the USA, politician with Charlemagne’s leadership skills which exercises full political and military con- will lead to Europe achieving self-regulation Estimation of jury: The reportage describes the atmosphere in Ireland before the trol over the continent. Britain itself is a US and an autonomous and all-powerful unifica- repeated referendum about the Lisbon Treaty. The author uses the example of a Dell partner, since militarily and politically it does tion, within a single political, economic and factory moving from Ireland to Poland to highlight the Irish people’s fear of recent not wish to have a powerful, unified Europe as cultural framework. and future enlargement of the European Union. The article is written in engaging its neighbour. and accessible language.

t follows that after the ratification of the ILisbon Treaty, European politicians are called on to find a unifying formula and to exercise a community policy based on the peoples’ demands, reinforcing lower social barriers and preventing shareholders from regulating work and stock exchange institu- 42 ¡ CZECH REPUBLIC ¡ CZECH REPUBLIC 43 ¡ Petr Horký ¡ Petr Horký

here are another three employees with oughly another four thousand people who Ireland to decide about the Lisbon Ttags around their necks having a smoke Rsupply the factory though are dependent in front of the entrance to the main building. on it. So overall, Limerick will be losing six Treaty with Dell’s move to Poland They refuse to talk about Dell, only about the thousand jobs. “It is a big blow for the local Lisbon Treaty. “I am voting against it. I don’t economy,” says the Mayor. playing into the hands of the “No” think it is fair to move production from one European country to another. But it is not just here was apparently not much that could voters that – there are other things in the treaty that Tbe done about Dell’s decision and no way I don’t like,” says a young employee called to prevent it – Dell had already made up its Simon. His colleague Siobhan nods in agree- mind to move according to the Mayor. “There he eyes of the whole of Europe will be arly this year news came in that Dell is to ment. Both of them are going to vote “No” to were a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiations Triveted today on its westernmost outpost, Estop making computers in Limerick and Lisbon. Then one of the security staff turns here. Nicky Hartery was Vice President of with everyone on tenterhooks to see whether is moving production from Ireland to Lodz in up. “You are not allowed to be here,” he says. Dell at the time. He wanted Dell to stay here the Irish unblock the path towards bring- Poland. The city became an overnight symbol “Leave the site immediately.” and expand, because Nicky has roots in the ing Croatia into the EU, approve the plan for a of the crisis in Ireland. City of Limerick and he comes from here. President of Europe and give the nod to a raft of The Mayor: They did not give us a chance Nicky failed though and then he left Dell. I new laws, or stand up against the rest of the EU At the gates of Dell think that there was nothing that could have and force the joint project to be placed on ice. he Mayor of Limerick understands the been done. They did not give us a chance,” he site of Dell’s headquarters and assem- Tattitude of the Dell workforce. “We are says Mayor Kiely, who represents the Fine he Lisbon Treaty, which will usher in Tbly plant, from where computers are dis- feeling a little bitter and frustrated here in Gael party. Tthe new developments above, is about to tributed around the world, covers an area of Limerick. We feel that Dell took advantage of be put to the vote and polls indicate that the several hectares on the outskirts of Limerick, us by getting us to train up Polish workers, The worst Government since the days of Irish are set to approve it at the second time in the Raheen Industrial Estate. To get into who we welcomed with open arms. Back then Westminster of asking. The situation in Ireland was simi- the factory you have to cross a car-park laced we had no idea that Dell had other plans for lar last year as well though, when voters sen- with CCTV cameras and warning signs say- them,” says the Mayor, Kevin Kiely, who was t is above all Brian Cowen’s extremely sationally rejected the EU constitution. ing “private property, access prohibited”. elected this summer. Iunpopular Government that is playing into the hands of opponents of the Lisbon An example of the overnight crisis here are no unions at Dell and so the ccording to Mayor Kiely, people are Treaty. In the eyes of the public the coali- Tonly way to talk to any of the workers is Aalso annoyed that Lodz received bil- tion Government made up of the centre-right imerick is the third largest city in Ireland, to ignore the “access prohibited” signs and lions of euros in grants from the European Fianna Fáil party and the Greens is responsi- Lsituated on the banks of Lough Shannon. get onto the site. Commission to build the plant, on the ble for the current economic crisis. Not that long ago the city was a symbol of grounds that construction would help a re- Irish poverty. ne young man with long hair and a Dell gion with high unemployment. Dell has been ianna Fáil, led by Cowen, has been in pow- Otag around his neck is getting out of a making computers in Limerick for over fif- Fer for three terms and over that time the ver the past twenty years though in- car in the car-park. “I am one of the ones who teen years. The company is going to axe two party has been embroiled in a number of cor- Ovestors, mainly from the USA and the is being made redundant,” he nods. After the thousand jobs this year and retain just one ruption cases. Many people in Ireland there- European Union, have flooded in with bil- next question he starts to feel unsure of him- thousand of the most high-tech workers, or fore look on the referendum on the Lisbon lions and the town has flourished. A 55% ma- self. “Are you a journalist? This is private at least that is what the Vice-President of the Treaty as a chance to punish the current gov- jority of the people of Limerick rejected the property, you are not allowed to be here,” he American firm promised the Mayor. ernment through rejecting the treaty. Lisbon Treaty in the 2008 referendum. says and quickly disappears. 44 ¡ CZECH REPUBLIC ¡ DENMARK 45 ¡ Petr Horký ¡ Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist & Julie Elver

ll the other parties, including the op- Pat, financial services, YES Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist and Julie Elver are 27 and Aposition, are trying to stop that happen- 26 years old respectively and recently graduated from the ing, apart from the Sinn Féin nationalists. want us to be part of Europe. Otherwise CVDanish School of Media and Journalism. Earlier they con- UK magazine The Economist hit the nail I we will be on the periphery. Last time I ducted an internship at the Danish national daily Politiken. on the head when it wrote that the current voted “Yes”. I do not understand the people Julie recently was an exchange student at Stockholm Uni- cabinet is “the most unpopular government who voted against it. We have gained so much versity in Sweden and worked as a journalist for the Dan- since Ireland was ruled from Westminster”. from Europe. ish Red Cross. Kirstin was an editor of a radio news service The Economist was referring to the era when and last year received a scholarship to study environmental Ireland was under the yoke of British rule. Ivan, broker, YES journalism at Murdoch University in Australia.

“I would advise people to put their anger aside did not vote last time, but this year I am and vote for Lisbon on Friday,” says Mayor I going to vote “Yes”. I do not like the peo- Summary: Rapid success and extravagant lifestyles with private jacuzzis, large barbe- Kiely. “We need to send the EU a clear signal, ple who vote “No”. Sinn Féin nationalists and cues and at least one Jeep per family used to be the ideal in Iceland. But values have so that investors gain confidence in us. That is people like that. I do not trust their agenda. changed dramatically amongst Icelanders since the economic crash their country suf- the only way to improve the local economy,” fered in 2008. The island’s population is now struggling to recapture their its former he concludes. Larry, civil servant, YES happiness from the time when Iceland was a poorer country and Icelanders led simple lives. In a series of articles, Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist and Julie Elver describe how How the people of Limerick see it ast time I voted “No”, but I have changed the Icelandic people cope with the economic collapse. The following article is the sec- Lmy mind because of the guarantees. ond in a series of three and in this article we meet a 29-year-old, a 34-year-old and a Christie, pub landlord, NO Ireland has benefited a lot and it’s time we 56-year-old Icelandic woman. These modern city-women of Reykjavik were all part put something back in. The Treaty enables of the economic boom Iceland experienced in the early 21st century. Remembering don’t trust our politicians. I do not believe further expansion. the upturn, they now all feel they forgot who they were, and since the collapse of the I a word any of the politicians in this coun- volcanic island’s banking system they have returned to traditional doings. Now they try say. We believed in them for too long and Brigitte, pensioner, YES grow their own potatoes, knit winter clothing for their children, cook traditional Ice- then they went and got us into the situation landic dishes, draw up tight food budgets and repair and redesign old clothes. Lead- we are in now. am voting “Yes”. I think that it is better in ing a more traditional life is the Icelanders´ way of coming to terms with the current I the long-term to agree with people rather economic crisis in their country. Sandra, shop assistant, NO than be in dispute with them. I voted “Yes” last time as well. I am very positive. he main reasons are the minimum wage, Estimation of jury: The winners in Denmark are Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist and Tabortion and tax. I think we should have Sinead, student, DOES NOT KNOW Julie Elver for their article “Islændingene finder tryghed i gamle traditioner” that has our own tax system. I think that they have been published in the Danish newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad. The article highlights an not modified the Treaty enough. do not know yet if I am going to vote “Yes” essential problem as it considers the crisis in Iceland. We are aware of the economical I or “No”. I need to sit down and look on consequences but the article describes them from a new angle: The search for secu- Roy, web developer, YES the Internet and find the arguments for and rity in old, Icelandic traditions. It is built on thorough research, and we are introduced against. But I am definitely going to go and to different areas of the Icelandic society. We are taken to Elva’s kitchen garden, and f Ireland votes no, then there is no reason vote. we visit the family in the newly developed neighborhood that lives on a tight budget. Iwhy Europe shouldn’t just cut us off. I’d We see how the people living on the volcanic island are slowly finding themselves rather be part of the EU. I voted for it last again after endless shocks. The article could have gained by more descriptive ele- time as well. ments but it is still able to capture the readers’ attention the entire way through. 46 ¡ DENMARK ¡ DENMARK 47 ¡ Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist & Julie Elver ¡ Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist & Julie Elver

are now seeing a very nice symbolic change in “It is against our nature just to sit with our Icelanders find security in society”, says the newly named minister. hands in our laps and wait. We need to act, and that is what we are seeing now, when Icelanders old traditions he view from the ministry office looks out are beginning to grow their own potatoes and Tover the Opera House, where three large knit their own sweaters. It is a way of working cranes – some of the few in town – are busy through the crisis. We do not have any direct he population on this volcanic island is like so many other Icelanders – felt the need to lifting materials to the craftsmen atop the half- influence on large political decisions, but we do Tcurrently going through an identity cri- make the crisis more manageable. To act per- finished building. need to feel that we are participating in solving sis and sorrow by rediscovering themselves sonally. She can not really say why this took the crisis. We have to find our own roots again. as Icelanders. The shovel is brand new when the form of growing potatoes, but she feels that “Icelanders are seeking their roots, and that This means returning to the point where we it turns its first clod in the new potato patch it may have something to do with a search for is good, because that will let us start over and took a side track and beginning from there”, he squeezed between three small hills. Above the what used to be. build something new and more sustainable. We explains. blade, 34-year-old Elva Sigurjónsdóttir adds her actually did have a well-functioning system in full weight to press it deeply into the Icelandic “We always grew our own potatoes when I was a the 1990s, before the boom took off”, says Gylfi he rails to Iceland’s side track were laid in humus to dig some good furrows for her po- kid, so this reminds me of those days”, says Elva Magnússon. Tthe 1990s, when Iceland signed the agree- tatoes. Ten kilos of potatoes are to be planted, Sigurjónsdóttir. She grew up in a town of barely ment on the European Economic Space, then and Elva Sigurjónsdóttir has chosen to use her 2,500 persons in Northern Iceland, but has been he nation atop the volcanic island is find- went further in 2003 when the banks were day off from working in downtown Reykjavik a hip city dweller in Reykjavik for many years. Ting itself again after a decade in which its privatised. Since the turn of the millennium, to tend to her newly acquired garden. Following Now, like many other Icelanders, she is moving identity lay in being a part of a ripping success. the nation thundered in that direction like a the bank crash last year, planting your own in the opposite direction and back to the old After the crash, Icelanders lost the basis for their Japanese bullet train. Taxes were decreased, and vegetables has become the height of fashion in world, when borrowing money in foreign cur- identity, when the carpet was pulled out from it became easier to borrow money. Iceland. Elva Sigurjónsdóttir and her sisters, rencies was unknown. under their feet and left many in shock. with whom she shares the plot, were lucky to uddenly, young Icelanders, who used to be rent a piece of land, before they were all taken. It “There has been a return to tradition follow- “It is important after an experience like that for Ssatisfied with living at home, stormed out takes 20 minutes to drive from Reykjavik to the ing the crash”, according to Gylfi Magnússon, people to see what they actually have to con- onto the residential market with their hands full hilly Skammidalur district, where the sisters’ Reader in Economics, who was asked to step in tinue to build on. In Iceland’s case, it is about of rapidly borrowed money. The increasing de- new potato land is located, and the garden was as Business Minister following the fall of the land, animal husbandry and fishing”, explains mand caused the cost of housing to shoot to the anything but free. Rental for the land and the previous government. Jan Brødslev Olsen, Reader in social psychology sky, and the country’s middle aged population purchase of tools have cost them the equivalent at Aalborg University. suddenly found themselves richer, because their of DKK 1000 (€ 135), a sum that does not sound “People are trying to live more naturally. We are houses and flats had increased in value. Thus large to Danes, but feels large to Icelanders due suddenly seeing many more Icelandic products celand missed out on 19th Century industri- was seeded the breeding ground for the extreme to the scant value of the Icelandic kronur. being sold in the stores, such as traditional food, Ialism and since the Second World War, the materialism which defined the small island’s so- which were absolutely not considered particu- country has developed with lightning speed ciety in the following years. lva Sigurjónsdóttir felt this was something larly modern a year ago. All of a sudden, people from a fish and farming society to one built on Ethat had to be done, even though she is not are baking their own bread and knitting, and being a financial power broker. According to “The boom changed the Icelanders’ mentality. going to save much by raising potatoes. At least Icelandic hiking trips and summer houses are Jan Brødslev Olsen, it is therefore quite natural From 2005 through 2007, businessmen were not in the first year, when the start-up costs ex- fully booked for the summer. In recent years the that many Icelanders like Elva Sigurjónsdóttir hailed as heroes and role models. They were ceed what she can save by harvesting potatoes. life style has been to be as modern as possible have taken to traditional activities. extremely successful and lived glamorous lives. But in the wake of the Icelandic collapse, she – and consume as much as possible. I feel that we It changed the Icelanders’ view to what success was: everyone wanted to be like them. During 48 ¡ DENMARK ¡ DENMARK 49 ¡ Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist & Julie Elver ¡ Kirstin Stefánsdóttir Egekvist & Julie Elver the financial bubble, people were no longer sat- bought a sewing machine”, explains Adalbjörg lder people are especially against EU mem- t the same time, she has also begun to knit isfied, even if they had a large house, two cars Helgadóttir. Obership, which in their opinion would be Aclothing for the couple’s two children, three- and a summer house. Everyone wanted to be the same as giving up some of the independence year old Katrín Theodóra and Kristján who is six millionaires”, remembers Gylfi Magnússon, ike so many other Icelanders, she has been which they fought hard for. And there is also the months old. The family lives in a ground-floor Business Minister. Lin the cellar to find discarded clothing and Atlantic cod to think about. Iceland has thrice flat in a half-completed new neighbourhood on is beginning to repair damaged clothes and re- had hard discussions with the British about the the outskirts of Reykjavik. Looking through the celanders have traditionally been a very hard- design some of the more obsolete dresses. rights to the cod, and all three times Iceland has large windows, you can just make out the idle Iworking lot who worked over 50 percent more won. Should they give up now by joining the EU cranes out on the lava fields. per week on average than a typical Dane. is The “We are now living a little more slowly and re- and let the British have free access? salary level is generally lower than in Denmark, turning to old things. People are knitting and he neighbourhood had not been completed and inflation has been so high for years that sewing. It reminds me about way back when “In addition, it will take years to gain mem- Tbefore the bank crash in October, and now Icelanders were forced to work a lot to be able I was a student. In some ways it is nice that bership, and who knows what the Euro will it is uncertain whether it ever will be. Rakel Ýr to buy groceries and pay off their home and car things change. Many of us had come to think be worth then?” runs the argument from the Pétursdóttir sits on the sofa with Kristján in her loans. that things had gotten out of hand. Now, we no island’s EU sceptics. It is not a risk that many lap. She pulls a ball of wool yarn out from under longer need to have a big fancy party with wine Icelanders are willing to take. the table and shows off the beginning of a small he desire to live up to the material standard and desserts just to get together. Soup is quite Icelandic sweater with the classic pattern at the Tat the time led many Icelanders to work even fine with us”, says Adalbjörg Helgadóttir. uro or not, the prevailing lottery mental- neck. She and 10 to 12 girlfriends meet once a harder to be able to buy consumer goods that Eity during the Icelandic boom, when you week in their newly founded knitting circle. All would show off the new style. When Icelanders t has become fashionable again in Iceland to were seen as being old-fashioned if you did not the young women agree that it is an inexpensive look back at the side track they had taken, many Ibe frugal. Most Icelanders are sick and tired take big chances, is no longer so widespread. It way to get winter clothing for the kids. now feel that they had forgotten during that pe- of the high inflation, which since the Second crumpled with the private banking system in riod what was most important in life. World War has made it very difficult to depend October. “And it is also pleasant to do something togeth- on the value of the Icelandic kronur. In the eco- er, like our mothers did when we were small. n Kópavogur, a suburb to Reykjavik, 56-year- nomic crisis of 1983, the kronur lost 85 percent or 35-year-old Sigurgeir Kristjánsson and his We are adopting the tradition”, explains Rakel Iold Adalbjörg Helgadóttir is about to serve of its value in one year, and during the bank F29-year-old wife Rakel Ýr Pétursdóttir, it has Ýr Pétursdóttir. strawberries to her two-year-old grandchild, failures of last year it fell to a fourth of the pre- meant the couple is now more careful with their Júlia. Big sister Helena, 6-years old, has turned ceding year’s value. money than they were the year before. Every “I have a friend who rode high on the consum- on a cartoon in the living room. month, a third of Sigurgeir Kristjánsson’s pay erism wave. She was always extremely busy. he political discussion about replacing the goes straight to a bank savings account, and the Working, shopping, getting her hair done, going nly a year ago, Adalbjörg Helgadóttir did Tkronur with the Euro has therefore be- family is complying with a strict plan to keep to expensive restaurants and seeing her friends Onot bother much with leftovers. Now she is come a hot topic these days. But unfortunately their food budget low. A menu of the week’s at cafes all over town. She no longer has money careful to use it all, lock, stock and barrel. Júlia for Iceland, the EU does not hand its currency suppers is hanging on the refrigerator, and now for all of these things. So now she suddenly has is glad to assist, because she insists on licking out for free, and Iceland has to apply for full groceries are only purchased once a week. time to see me. And she has even begun to knit. the ice off the carton’s lid, as if she understood membership in order to introduce the stable She has changed so much. If you do not have what her grandmother was trying to explain. Euro. The country’s new leftwing government “We used to buy food almost every day, but by money to make time go round, you have to take has taken the consequences and submitted an doing it this way we have saved more that 60,000 what you have: family, tradition and friends.” “I have begun thinking about what makes life application to Brussels. Yet the issue of the EU kronur (DKK 3.000 [€ 400]) a month”, explains worth living. I am buying different things, continues to be a discussion topic that divides Rakel Ýr Pétursdóttir. not wasting food, saving remnants, and I have the country in two. 50 ¡ FINLAND ¡ FINLAND 51 ¡ Tuomas Rimpiläinen ¡ Tuomas Rimpiläinen

Tuomas Rimpiläinen has a Master of Social Science (Con- temporary History) from the University of Turku Pedagog- The open border has remained CCVic Studies.V He studied at the Faculty of Pedagogics of the University of Turku and also Foreign Studies in the Czech under control after expansion of the Republic and in the USA. He worked as a journalist for the Turun Sanomat newspaper and has experience in print, Schengen area online, and TV media.

he security threats that were feared as a passport or identity card accepted by authori- Tresult of expansion of the Schengen area ties must still be carried. Once inside the area, Summary: Dreaded security problems caused by Schengen enlargement seem not appear not to have been realised. Lt. Col. monitoring people’s movements is difficult. to become reality. Statistics of the Finnish officials show no significant swing in Kimmo Elomaa from the Border Guard says “We and other authorities have clear findings crime rate since the Schengen Area took new members nine months ago. Border that no notable change has been observed af- that large numbers of people in the Schengen officials gave their first evaluation about the effects last week. Though the number ter expansion of the Schengen area in 2007. area illegally enter even Finland by crossing of illegal immigrants has been reported rising, the Finnish Border Guard representa- “National and Border Guard crime statistics internal borders. They have either entered tive is satisfied. The effect was well-known in advance and it is considered as a price do not reflect a notable fluctuation. Of course, the area illegally or have an expired residence the Schengen members are willing to pay. But all is not quiet on Schengen frontiers. it has only been a short time now, so noth- permit. However, this is a reality which was There should not be border formalities anymore between German Görlitz and Polish ing can yet be said about long-term effects,” accepted when we joined Schengen,” Elomaa Zgorzelec, the cities that were one German city before the historic Oder-Neisse Line says Elomaa. Jarmo Orola, Crime Prevention explains. divided it between Poland and Germany. Still the German police keep checking IDs Director of the Southern Customs District, of non-German border crossers, calling it “traffic surveillance”. Poles and Czechs, says that Customs has been able to keep their Traffic monitoring has decreased who experience the same on Austrian border, call them illegal border checks. Finnish monitoring level satisfactory. “Checking Border Guard officers understand Polish and Czech viewpoint. They say that some travel documents, though, is a problem. At hose crossing borders illegally, smug- Middle European countries deliberately wanted wavering Schengen regulations in the moment, passenger manifests can include Tglers and other criminals now have to order to later maintain some level of informal border checks. So far the EU Commis- Donald Duck, because identity is not checked be caught using intelligence information. sion has only decided to monitor the situation. in any way,” says Orola. Various authorities share information about the movements of criminals through the Illegal entry into the country has increased Schengen Information System (SIS). The Estimation of jury: The article has got strong journalistic merits. The approach and Finnish Border Guard’s liaison in Tallinn as- the style of writing were of high quality. The topic, the Schengen border has got a assport inspections at maritime borders sists with the work. “We receive information lot of significance in the EU community. The basic work, including reasearch on a Pbetween Finland and Estonia ended in and various operational requests from SIS foreign location, was done well. December 2007, with the Schengen area hav- daily, for example, about persons barred from ing expanded to include, among others, the entering various countries,” says Elomaa. One Baltic countries. Inspections at airports end- problematic issue at Finnish ports are drunk ed in March. The first effects of the Schengen drivers arriving by ship. In 2007, 180 drunk area’s expansion were presented to the secu- drivers were caught at Helsinki’s ports. The rity committee at the Ministry of the Interior Border Guard no longer gives breathalyser last week. According to Schengen principles, tests to drivers at ports, so the work has been external borders are tightly guarded, but one transferred to the police. Chief Inspector can travel freely within the area. However, a Pekka Höök from the Helsinki Police esti- 52 ¡ FINLAND ¡ FINLAND 53 ¡ Tuomas Rimpiläinen ¡ Tuomas Rimpiläinen mates that the number of those caught has Camouflaged border inspections measures are called traffic monitoring. He or quashing organised crime, such as human dropped slightly because there is one less of- does not take a stance on how credible this trafficking. Human trafficking does indeed ficial at the port. “However, it has not yet be- oles know this tactic well. The same thing explanation is. “Monitoring can be practised happen, and it must be remembered that the come a notable problem,” Höök notes. Elomaa Phappens at Czech borders with Austria at border crossings, but we cannot randomly situation in Central Europe is different than is not surprised by the good situation. “We and Germany. The issue has been discussed check passports at the border,” Elomaa clari- it is in Finland. For example, the historic are well prepared, and a lot of money has in the Czech media throughout the spring. fies. In the spring, Konrad Szymanski, a Polish Sudetenland region on the Czech-German been spent on this. Something could pop up, The Austrian and German police claim they member of the European Parliament, sent border is no longer guarded by a chain of but then we will react to it”. are making spot checks that are not border an inquiry about the issue to the European fortresses, but rather by a chain of bordellos. inspections. Nevertheless, according to Czech Union Commission. In his opinion, the ac- Taking a quick detour from the German side Caption: motorists, the police routinely stop cars and tivities of the German police clearly violate to the Czech side to solicit prostitutes is easy. specifically choose cars and buses with Czech the Schengen agreement. Szymanski asked Alcohol and cigarettes are also cheaper on ersti Pärkma was one of the last people registration plates. Schengen regulations are whether the Commission intends to give the other side of the unguarded border. In the Kto wind up going through passport con- unclear on this issue. “The police can still car- guidelines to the German police about this background there are both genuine concerns trol at Helsinki’s West Port on 20 December ry out inspections in border areas just as they practice. To date, the Commission has not felt about crime and the issue of economic inter- 2007. The border was opened at midnight. can elsewhere in the member states, as long it necessary to take any action with regard to ests. Cigarettes confiscated during Austria’s as the purpose of their actions is not guard- the Polish-German border. At the moment, “traffic monitoring” are an excellent example. The German and Austrian police check for- ing the border.” It is difficult to prove that the Commission is waiting for further expla- It is perhaps somewhat doubtful that anyone eigners’ passports at the border. the intent is to patrol the border. Commodore nations about events at the German-Czech can swallow Austria’s official explanation for Jukka Savolainen from the Finnish Border border. their operations: cigarette packs are labelled he Commission is taking note of meas- Guard remembers how the practice originat- with health warnings in Czech and cannot be Tures that annoy Czechs and Poles. As ed. When the regulations were updated, the COMMENT understood in Austria, so they pose a threat Turun Sanomat reports, a Finnish-registered Commission first suggested a complete ban to Austria’s national health. Open borders are car travelling to Prague via Görlitz crosses on this kind of activity. However, the ban did Europe without borders is an advantage for a tremendous advantage for all Europeans. the border from Zgorzelec, Poland, to Görlitz, not pass. “It was said that police inspections everyone Keeping borders Germany. There are no longer any border for- in border areas could not be allowed to in- malities, and Germans travel freely across the tensify. Now, the regulations can still be read rom Finland, you can take off to the Alps river to buy cigarettes and other products that in a way that allows inspections to increase. For even to Portugal without any border are cheaper in Poland. But suspicion is still According to Savolainen, there has been no checks. However, there are inequalities among alive in Germany. Cars are no longer stopped need for this in Finland. The situation here is Schengen area citizens. The Germans are at the border crossing, but 200 metres away different. In Central Europe, you do not re- clinging tooth and nail to their border with there is an obstacle. At the first intersection, ally even notice the borders. When a person Poland, as random as it is. For example, the a green police car is on duty. The constable who has committed a crime leaves here by city of Görlitz was split by superpower poli- becomes alert when he sees a strange registra- plane or ship, he or she has to pass through a tics after the Second World War. The German tion number, and watches the passing car with controlled area.” city is now divided by the Neisse River, which a sharp eye. A foreign car – let’s pull it over. is part of the historic Oder-Neisse line. On The Land Rover takes off after it and stops The Commission will not take action one side, the city is Görlitz, on the other, the Finnish travellers. The purpose of the car Zgorzelec. A German can cross the border stop is to check documents. Five minutes later, t. Col. Kimmo Elomaa from the Finnish easily, but Poles are still asked for documents. passport numbers have been recorded and the LBorder Guard says he has seen the same Görlitz is just one example. Officially, the trip can continue. thing at Italian and French borders. The reason for spot checks is monitoring traffic 54 ¡ FRANCE ¡ FRANCE 55 ¡ Prune Antoine ¡ Prune Antoine

Prune Antoine was born in 1981 in France. She graduated in international law and is now based in Berlin, where she Poland: Nobody’s children CCVworksV as a freelance reporter. Her features are focusing on social issues, women and Eastern Europe: refugees camp in Mukachevo, surrogate mothers in Ukraine, Roma in Chisin- ince the enlargement of the European Union World War II, has come at a high cost: the au, women’s emigration in Moldova, discrimination against Stoward the East, almost two million Poles disintegration of the family unit, which was gays in Lithuania, cultural dissidence in Belarus. Her pieces have left their country to try their luck overseas. so highly regarded during the communist era. were published by Arte, ELLE, Madame Figaro, Grazia, XXI, However, this economic miracle in the form of In today’s Poland the number of divorces has Médiapart, Das Magazin... emigration has come at a price: that of the “euro soared to 50%, and cases of child abandonment orphans”. That’s the name given to those chil- are very frequent. In spring 2008, a Fondation dren who have remained behind all alone, left Droit Europe report set the cat among the pi- Summary: The features deals with consequences of the EU enlargment towards to their own devices. “The family is no more!” geons. 110,000 children had been “placed” in Eastern Europe and one of the side-effects of the opening of job market. Since 2004, exclaims Bogdan Wrobec, the formidable head State orphanages, and one in every four Polish nearly two million Poles left their country to work abroad, mainly in England and teacher of the primary school in Bialystok, a children had at least one parent living overseas. Ireland. This massive emigration’s wave, that firstly looks like an economical won- former industrial town on the north-eastern Up to half a million minors could be living der, has a cost : the “euro-orphans”, one generation of kids and teenagers who are border of Poland now surrounded by an air of with this problem. The Polish press has offi- just left at home, growing up alone and living without any familial background. destituteness. When the bell rings in the cor- cially re-baptised these children, the sacrifices ridor decorated with a portrait of Jean-Paul II, to economic migration, ‘euro-sieroty’, instead a swarm of kids takes off, hot on the heels of a of ‘euro-orphans’. Their parents are not dead. Estimation of jury: In France, it is the ”euro orphans” phenomenon, tackled by Prune teacher scurrying along in polished red boots. They are, quite simply, absent. Antoine, that held the attention of the jury. The article entitled ”Poland: children of Here, the Catholic cross invites itself into every no-one” distances itself by the originality of its subject. The migratory wave from classroom and catechism lessons are compulso- laudia is 10 years old, with two attractive Eastern Europe countries and its consequences on family are analysed through an ry. In Eastern Europe, nobody jokes about God. Kdimples on the corners of her mouth and in-depth analysis and a wide range of points of views. In Prune Antoine’s uncluttered Well… almost nobody. “Many of our pupils blonde hair framing her round face. Since her style, sociologists, politicians, headteachers, ”orphans” and ”orphans’” parents lead now live with their grandparents or on their parents’ divorce, her mum has lived in Sweden the reader behind the scenes of this massive emigration “resembling an economic own,” Wrobec tells us. “Their parents have all and her dad in England. Since then she has miracle”. The journalist’s well-structured argument is a true field investigation that gone to work in the West.” been living in Bialystok, in a grey housing es- offers a relevant debate with proper context and careful illustration. tate next to her school, with her “super grand- fter Poland became part of the European mother” Cristina Popko, aged 60. For the time AUnion in 2004 and the labour markets being, she finds it rather “cool”. She spent her opened up to immigrants from the East, many holidays in Stockholm last summer, and keeps Poles packed their bags and went in search of close contact with her mother. They talk on the greener pastures. In 2007, out of a population telephone every two days. Klaudia would really of 38 million, 1.86 million Poles were residing like to join her permanently, but she first has to in European Union countries, mainly in Great “finish school”. The little girl, still in primary Britain, Germany and Ireland. It is widely school, doesn’t seem too affected by the sepa- acknowledged that an unknown number of ration. She manages to obtain the best marks clandestine workers have contributed towards in her school and has already started to learn increasing this figure. However, this exodus English. Every month, her mother, who works of migrant workers, the largest recorded since as a house cleaner, sends her a sum of money. It 56 ¡ FRANCE ¡ FRANCE 57 ¡ Prune Antoine ¡ Prune Antoine was her daughter’s choice, and Christina Popko estled in a small forest next to the town, zlotys (80,000 euro) should soon be approved as approves of it. “After her divorce, she chose NBialystok orphanage No. 2 is home to 74 part of the 2009 budget. “We want to work on a what was best for her. How can you live here children aged “from 0 to 18 years”, as its director local level and employ a network of social work- on 1,000 zlotys (250 euro) a month? There’s no Barbara Czarniecka, who has been at the helm ers and psychologists, establish school support, other solution… in any case, everyone’s gone.” of the institution for some thirty years, points and even provide free meals for pupils suffering This brain drain and labour shortfall phenom- out. With flowers at the entrance and colour- financial hardship.” Some schools have already enon doesn’t only affect Poland, but all of the ful linoleum, the place also serves as an emer- taken the initiative of establishing close email former Eastern bloc countries. Following the gency contact centre. Czarniecka points out or telephone contact with Polish parents living 1989 transition, a difficult economic situation, that things have changed a lot since the com- overseas to inform them of any problems their often characterised by an unemployment rate munist era. “We have computers and therapists, children might be facing at school. But the an- bordering 25% – and a game of political mu- but nothing replaces a mother’s love. We have swer to the issue of the ‘euro orphans’ could sical chairs – prompted many of their citizens seven “euro orphans” here. According to anoth- materialise far more quickly than expected, to leave. The mass departures increased when er report drawn up by the NGO Pedagogium, the Secretary of State for Education would like these countries joined the European Union, if 89 % of the euro orphans are handed over to believe. “Due to the economic and financial especially due to the implementation of the to grandparents or close relatives – family or crisis which is currently affecting Europe, Poles principles of free movement of workers. In friends – 3 % find themselves “placed” in state are returning from abroad en masse.” As things Romania, almost 10% of the population works orphanages against their will. For the director, stand, growth is at 6.5%, salaries are steadily overseas, mainly in Italy and Spain. It is esti- this “relatively recent problem”, which reveals a increasing, and the country is desperately short mated that the number of children separated serious dysfunction affecting Polish society, is of manpower. However, (and this might be the from at least one of their parents is 800,000. getting worse. “Religion, family values: it’s all last straw) there might still be a problem re- Alarmingly, issues related to violence and sui- just hot air…” According to her, the psychologi- garding Moses baskets: the birth rate in Poland cides have been reported. In Bulgaria, the situ- cal repercussions of what she calls ‘parental dis- is still one of the lowest in Europe, at only 1.2 ation has reached a state where the government investment’ “will be irreversible and will affect children per woman. has decided to change the family code and put at least one generation”. Everyone needs stabil- children orphaned because of emigration up for ity to acquire an identity. When the parents are adoption. Barteck Walzsack, a sociologist of the no longer there, everything breaks down. Only NGO Pedagogium in Warsaw, doesn’t hesitate a few of the children who will leave the orphan- to denounce what he calls a “stigmatisation” of age will have a normal family life. “The others the phenomenon. According to him, the media will repeat the same model: aggression, anxiety, seek to titillate Poland’s conservative society, drug or alcohol problems… History repeats it- categorising anything that falls under emigra- self”, she adds, with sadness in her voice. tion as “taboo”. “I can’t call a child whose parents leave to work abroad for six months an n the centre of chic Warsaw, among office orphan,” he explains. “Real orphans are still a Iblocks and shopping centres undergoing minority of perhaps between 3,000 and 18,000 construction, the young Secretary of State for children, coming from families who are gen- Education, Agnieska Chton-Dominczak, claims erally already in the grips of social difficulties she feels reassured. “We are aware of the prob- prior to their exile.” lem,” she says softly. A package of 300 million 58 ¡ GERMANY ¡ GERMANY 59 ¡ Judith Liere ¡ Judith Liere

Judith Liere, born in 1979, studied in Marburg, Florence and Hamburg. She worked as a dramaturg at the Burg- Tolerated, but not welcome CVtheater Vienna and then attended the Deutsche Journal- istenschule in Munich. She currently freelances for newspapers and magazines such as Süddeutsche Zeitung, ince Bulgaria’s accession to the EU, many This would mean that all the members of the Spiegel online, Neon, Brigitte and Der Feinschmecker. SBulgarians have been coming to Munich Grozdanov family are not eligible for work. looking for work. They are allowed to live here, Those who are not entitled to work do not re- but rarely find the employment they seek. ceive social benefits, do not have health insurance, do not receive Hartz IV welfare benefits argarita Grozdanova says that she and and are not given a housing allowance. They Summary: The article focuses on the situation of the Bulgarian family Grozdanov Mher family left their homeland because only receive child benefits – until they man- who came to Munich in 2007, after Bulgaria’s accession to the EU. Like many other they had become poor. In Bulgaria there was age to find work subject to social insurance people from their home country, the Grozdanov family wanted to start a new, better no more work to be found for this 52-year-old contributions. life in Germany. They are allowed to immigrate because of the freedom of move- woman, her 65-year-old husband Nikola, who is ment regulations, but they are not allowed to work. Germany and Austria are the ill and walks with a cane, their 20-year-old son any Bulgarians in Germany are in the same only EU member nations to limit freedom of movement in all sectors of the job mar- Nikolai, who has no vocational training, or for Msituation as Margarita Grozdanova and ket for citizens of the newly acceded countries of Eastern Europe. And as they are not their daughter-in-law Valentina, who brought her family. There are almost 5,000 Bulgarians entitled to work, they do not receive social benefits. Almost 5,000 Bulgarian people her first daughter into the world at age 17. Two living in Munich at the moment, nearly twice live in Munich, many of them under very poor conditions. But no one officially cares years ago, Margarita Grozdanova packed up as many as in 2006, before Bulgaria acceded about them – even if they are legally allowed to be in Germany, there is no adminis- some clothes and headed off to Germany with to the EU. Approximately 500 of them live in trative office responsible for them. her family – to find work. a privately-run hostel on Untersbergstraße in Giesing. Until 2005 the building was a hostel for wo years ago Bulgaria joined the EU. The asylum-seekers, and now the rooms are rented Estimation of jury: The jury pointed out that the article describes a problem of the TGrozdanov family was able to immigrate out to labourers, mostly Poles and Slovaks who EU enlargement in Germany, which is not adequately reflected in the media. Judith to Germany and register its residence here; live two or four to a room there while they work Liere includes facts and data into a personal story. With her visual language, she il- that is allowed under the freedom of move- on construction sites in Munich during the day. lustrated the consequences of the restricted free movement of Bulgarian citizens in ment regulations, which constitute one of the The living quarters consist of bunk beds, shared Germany. European Union’s basic freedoms. But that free- bathroom facilities and a communal kitchen dom does not extend to employment. Margarita with a few hotplates on each floor. These work- Grozdanova and her family can only take a job ers occupy the left-hand side of the building, in Germany if no German or other qualified EU where they stay for a few weeks before returning citizen wants it. The employment agency per- home. The Bulgarian families on the right-hand forms checks on these matters over a period of side of the building stay there permanently. six weeks – and nearly always gives the position Satellite dishes with twisted, dangling wires to other people. hang from the grey façade of the dismal apartment block, bringing a bit of home and familiar ermany and Austria are the only EU mem- language to the televisions behind the windows. Gber nations to limit freedom of movement The rooms, 13 square metres in size, each house in all sectors of the job market for citizens of Bulgarian families of four, six, or ten. They too the newly acceded countries of Eastern Europe. have bunk beds, shared bathroom facilities and 60 ¡ GERMANY ¡ GREECE 61 ¡ Judith Liere ¡ Aikaterinis Petros a communal kitchen – but cost 480 euros each to are employed on a full-time basis. Some beg. Aikaterinis Petros was born on 28 of June 1984 in Nicosia, rent. Alexander Thal of Caritas says, “Without Many others have tried to obtain trade licenses Cyprus. He gratuated in 2008 from Panteion University in proof of income or any kind of security, the to work in construction or cleaning. Although CVjournalism and civilization. Last year he worked as a part- Bulgarians are considered a high-risk group in this is allowed, it leads to new problems because time journalist. Now he is studying at the University of Pei- the housing market”. No one will let them rent many of the applicants do not look into German raias in the domain of International Relations and Euro- an apartment. The only option is this hostel. tax regulations properly. A1, the company op- pean studies, also concentrating on political philosophy. erating the hostel, feels the situation is getting hal looks after the Grozdanov family and out of hand. The building was meant for labour- T14 other Bulgarian families. He has hired a ers, not for families with children. The 480 euro translator to help them with the formalities, and rent for the 13 square-metre rooms, including has got them cards authorising them to receive utilities, does not even cover energy and main- Summary: In this article, Aikaterinis Petros tried to express the ideas, the emotions, food donations from the Münchner Tafel char- tenance costs. The families need to leave the the fears, the hopes, the concerns, and the expectations of three young people who ity foundation. The food supplied there is really hostel. Now attempts are being undertaken, in are currently living in Greece but come from the three “candidate countries” who intended for the poor who are receiving social conjunction with the municipal authorities, to have applied for membership to the European Union: Croatia, Turkey, and F.y.R. benefits – not for the Bulgarians, who are legally “solve the problem in a socially acceptable man- Macedonia. The story has two main focuses. On the one hand, the reactions – both allowed to be in Germany but have no admin- ner”. But, officially, not even the municipality positive and negative – of these young people to the potential accession of their istrative office responsible for them. Until they is responsible for them. Siegfried Benker, City country to the EU and on the other, the reactions and thoughts of people who al- can find work, there is no place for them in the Council leader of the Green Party, made an in- ready belong to the Union, like the Greeks. Finally, the question of what it means to social welfare net. Yet Margarita Grozdanova quiry into the matter anyway. He is demanding be a European citizen is raised. says that they are doing better in Germany than that the authorities look into the predicament of they were in Bulgaria – despite having a mere the Bulgarians and Romanians (who are caught 13 square metres of living space for a family up in the same legal situation) living in Munich. Estimation of jury: It is the most journalistic article, it has the best treatment of of six and little hope of finding regular work The Housing and Migration Office paid a visit subject, it is critical, it targets directly to reader’s attention, it has innovative title and here. “We get food”, she says, standing next to to the hostel, and Benker considers this to be “a fulfills all of the contest’s criteria. a box of vegetables from Münchner Tafel. Food, first step”. Still, no one has been able to find a and child benefits for her two granddaughters, suitable solution to the problem – because no- Laura and Lora, who are three-and-a-half and body is really looking for one, and no one is one-and-a-half years old. Her daughter-in-law taking responsibility for Margarita Grozdanova Valentina travelled to Bulgaria to deliver Lora; and her husband Nikola, their son Nikolai, their she has no health insurance that would have daughter-in-law Valentina, and the children covered the birth in Germany. Laura and Lora.

he families residing in Untersbergstraße Tappear to be living in very different financial situations. There are many vehicles with Bulgarian license plates parked outside the building, and some of these are relatively new, mid-range cars. Nedialko Kalinov, the translator hired by Thal from Caritas, estimates that some 20 per cent of the Bulgarians living there 62 ¡ GREECE ¡ GREECE 63 ¡ Aikaterinis Petros ¡ Aikaterinis Petros

Karlo and he comes from a hamlet near Zagreb, godmother who will make all our differences It’s all Greek to me the capital of Croatia, where he was born some disappear with a touch of her wand. We should 26 years ago. He seems to fully share the vision make a lot more effort ourselves as well.” of the Belgian politician about Europe becom- A stroll around a different kind of Athens well as a whole series of other measures which ing as unified as possible, and claims that it What is the opinion of his fellow denizens? are, in theory, unknowingly imposed on us is only a matter of time before the European raditionally one of the world’s most popu- “from above”. Union changes form and tears a page from the is speech was cut off by Mehmet’s re- Tlar travel destinations that attracts mil- U.S.A. model. Not being able to resist, I asked Hsounding laughter. He comes from Izmir, lions of people from the four corners of the entered one of those places and encountered whether I could join his discussion and sit at Turkey and he is over here through the student globe during the summer months, Greece has Idozens of young people from every nook and his table. Sitting across from him are two more exchange programme. His physical appearance recently not been living up to its stellar reputa- cranny in Europe. They were involved in heated people, Elena and Mehmet. I cannot claim to is almost indistinguishable from that of an av- tion. The sun and the light blue sky have been discussions against the background sound of be an authority of the European Union and its erage Greek, as is only natural. Noticing the hiding behind gray clouds, and rain has seldom familiar foreign pop music, talking in broken institutions. Yet I always love to hear the views look on my face, he did not appear to have any failed to make its presence felt. Adding to this English or in their own languages, injecting a of others and engage in discussions which may reservations as he explained his views to me. cheerless backdrop is the deep economic crisis vibrant tone into the atmosphere. This is the also affect my own future. “No offence”, he kept stressing, “but Greece is which has hit our country hard these past few favourite haunt of Erasmus students, as well as an example for any candidate country of what months. Thus, the hordes of tourists wandering a popular venue for armchair surfers who have introduced myself and right away asked Karlo not to do. You Greeks cannot use restraint in around in shorts and sunglasses who come this come to our country for vacations, lending Iwhat he believes will change in his country anything; from emotions and food to your eco- far to live their own myths have become as rare a multicultural air to the city. But this is also when accession negotiations are concluded and nomics. You expect the EU and the summer as a copy of Moby Dick at a Save the Whales my refuge. Because this is where I come when I Croatia becomes a full member of the European holiday season to solve all your problems. This meeting. want to escape the confines of Greek reality, and Union, which is expected to occur within the is unrealistic and utopian!” Discerning a whiff all the standard, incomprehensible stereotypes coming year. He looked at me in surprise and, of irony in his words – perhaps attributable to till, on one of those gray mornings that re- that people indulge in every day. I ordered my instead of responding, he snatched away my any prejudice I may have due to the eternal en- Ssemble night more than day, I was taking favorite coffee. I switched on my laptop and lost computer. He showed me an interview, featured mity between Greeks and Turks – I asked him a stroll along Ermou St, a pedestrian avenue. myself amongst the discussions of the patrons, on YouTube, that his nation’s Prime Minister, why he wants Turkey in the EU. I came across several young men wrapped in a medley of different languages and accents. Jadranka Kosor, gave concerning the dispute overcoats and well-dressed young women who Listening to all of them together reminded me between Croatia and Slovenia regarding its e began a convoluted speech containing were laughing and exchanging jokes about the of one of those foreign songs that you always common border. “There’s one good that could Hvarious arguments, mainly about econom- situation in our country. “Is it indifference hum whilst never really understanding the lyr- come from this union,” he cries! He himself be- ic issues and matters regarding the free move- or despair?” I thought as I headed towards ics, and the Greek saying “It all seems Chinese” lieves that the EU can guarantee the resolution ment of labour and capital. I interrupted him by Monastiraki. Here, at the small cafeteria ta- comes to mind – or, conversely, in English… of some chronic problems, and he explains to asking whether his countrymen have a kind of bles, some brave people find shelter, defying “It’s all Greek to me”. me that peace and stability are not de facto re- obsession for European recognition. “Quite the the cold and rain so that they may enjoy their alities for all citizens. “At one time during the contrary. Many Turks, especially in the central cigarettes – their one sinful habit, since some of A Croat’s optimism Civil War, I could recognise the type of gun and eastern parts of the country, do not con- these places have prohibited smoking indoors. I used just from the sound of gunfire. Some of sider themselves European and neither do they listened to them accusing Europe, generally and t some point, I listened to a guy at the next my compatriots are against accession, but I my- feel this way.” My thoughts about the meaning vaguely, of one more evil deed it has inflicted Atable making a speech about the federalisa- self believe that with the help of the Europeans of being and feeling European evaporated as he on the already beleaguered – at least in their tion of the European Union, referring to the re- several positive steps can be made concern- continued to explain the relationship between opinion – Greek people. They say that they will lated book written by the former Belgian Prime ing problems which seem insurmountable to our eastern neighbors and Europe. “Also we never comply with the smoking prohibition, as Minister, Guy Verhofstadt. The man’s name is us. Of course I do not see the EU as the fairy have grown tired of this effort for unity since 64 ¡ GREECE ¡ GREECE 65 ¡ Aikaterinis Petros ¡ Aikaterinis Petros the whole process has lasted for almost half a eeling a little embarrassed and attempt- ot being at all in the mood for another important issue that has been debated by all century. However, the free movement of people Fing to find an excuse for the inexcusable, I Nendless discussion about the name that European countries, beyond feelings of nation- is something that you as a Greek simply cannot explained to my companions that not all of us should or could be adopted by our neighbour- alism or intolerance. Relieved, and following grasp; you have not been denied a visa twice by Greeks are the same and that our Mediterranean ing country, I asked her if she had ever thought further discussion amongst all of us enumerat- a country that is only a few minutes away from temperament, combined with our Balkan iden- about the negative effects accession of such ing the pros as well as the cons of being an EU your homeland! Europe to us is something am- tity, makes us a bit short-tempered and reac- a small state into the EU could have. Her remember, I asked her whether she herself was in bivalent just like a trip from Izmir to the Greek tionary. Mehmet, with his faint smile, appeared ply was very considered. “I am a resident of a favour or against. Her reply was disarming. “I islands: so close and yet so far away!” I couldn’t to fully understand my meaning. On the other Balkan country and sometimes it is difficult want the Balkans to be united! I want Europe do anything but agree with him, adding simply hand the girl who was sharing our table seemed for me to be proud of my country, or even be to be united!” that perhaps a question mark would be appro- ready for a fight, a rather incongruous display of able to say that I come from this country. I priate at the end of his last sentence rather than hostility that totally belied her previously quiet study in Thessaloniki, and I am bothered by New friends an indication of assent. demeanour. “Decide what you want to be so the fact that I have to watch the way I express that we also get to know what to do!” she says in myself because the relations between our coun- ll around us, lively conversations had been The Greek reality broken English with a relatively heavy accent. tries remind me of those between Moscow and Areplaced by laughter and jokes against a I was astounded because up to that moment, Washington during the Cold War period. I backdrop of rhythmic pop music transmitted he discussion was abruptly cut off by a and due to her name, I had thought she was know that accession to the EU may help resolve over the speakers. Two hours had already passed TGreek in his thirties. He was wearing a a Greek herself. I immediately asked her what some problems, such as stability in the broad- since the moment I had entered the establish- heavy jacket and was drenched to the bone. He country she was from and her reply caused both er area. But I am afraid that the price will be ment, and I had to leave. But I promised my rushed into the cafeteria and his presence was Mehmet and Karlo to laugh mockingly. that everything will be standardised, because new friends to meet them again in the immedi- impossible to ignore. He was obviously looking we will have to conform to Western European ate future for an even more interesting debate. for shelter from the rain, which was now falling Has the problem got a “name”? standards concerning the consumption of basic Especially as two hours of lively discussion al- very hard and increasingly loudly. He hastened goods on a daily basis. Small countries such as low people to leave their prejudices behind and to sit down and ordered a frappe – the mod- “I am from Macedonia, or as you call it the my own often adopt an attitude of unrestrained escape from the limits of their own borders. As ern national Greek coffee made with instant Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, she imitation of foreign models which may not ap- I left, I noted that clouds had been replaced by coffee and shaken – in a tone that can be de- said grasping my laptop which was resting on ply to us. Perhaps Europe sees a new frontier a sun-drenched sky. After strolling for a few scribed as anything but polite! He lit a cigarette, Karlo’s side of the table. “Here,” she implored for new investments; on the other hand, it may minutes, I stopped briefly at a bench which of- which caused consternation amongst everyone me, “go to Wikipedia, enter “Macedonia” and instead see a new rubbish dump. My country fered a perfect view of the Acropolis, and I lit a present and, following admonitions from the let’s see what it comes up with!” Trying to soothe has the greatest percentage of people who are cigarette. I switched on my laptop and I saw in staff concerning the smoking ban, he departed, her, I explained that, to me, the name of our against accession to the EU, because large seg- Facebook – or as I call it, “The Book of Faces” – clearly very annoyed. As he was leaving he was neighbouring country was a personal matter for ments of the population, such as the older gen- three new friendship requests coming from my cursing Europe in a rather vague and general people, and that I did not agree with the posi- eration, are extremely cautious. For us, the EU three new friends. Smiling, I thought to myself tone. “This is Greece, not Europe! We shall do tion of Athens, or of Skopje for that matter. In does not give us hopes and guarantees to make that the European Union is something simi- as we wish, not as we are told! No way will I turn she explained that finding a solution to this our dreams come true. But we are afraid of the lar; a Facebook club whose membership auto- respect your asinine rules.” At nearby tables, specific issue was the main thorn in the side of unknown since the EU looks more like a coun- matically gives you 27 new friends with whom some fair, blonde young women were particu- the accession negotiations her country has been try club with exclusive membership, rather than you can share and undertake many interesting larly disturbed by the scene. They murmured holding both with the European Union and a se- an entity willing to accept us with open arms.” things that you simply could not do alone. And various comments in their language, and gave ries of other organisations, such as NATO. “The experience up to now has shown that “there is disapproving looks to other Greeks who had Sun, too, is and should become a star” she added, er tone of voice was calm and gentle, strength in numbers!” In the end, everything approved of my countryman’s actions. making a reference to the central motto of the Hrevealing that the person sitting oppo- doesn’t look so strange after all! Hurrah for my Skopje candidacy for the EU. site me had weighed the pros and cons of an new friends! Hurrah for Europe! 66 ¡ HUNGARY ¡ HUNGARY 67 ¡ Viktória Iván ¡ Viktória Iván

Viktória Iván Born of Hungarian and Ukrainian parents, freelance journalist Viktória Iván is currently working for Transiting Europe CVELLE Magazine, National Geographic and politics and current affairs weekly Magyar Narancs. She studied Com- parative literature and English language and literature in or years, the word ‘home’ meant nothing t’s winter time now; the family circus is on va- Budapest before receiving journalist training at the media Fto Stefan Brender, a circus showman. Ever Ication until April. Stocky, furry horses stand school of Sanoma Budapest in 2009. since he left Germany in 1988, his home has next to the abandoned stable building, where always been the place where the family circus sparks fly from the windows: Stefan is welding happened to shack up with its four “conestoga” the vintage Mercedes truck. Four wagons stand wagons in Spain, France, Italy or, six years ago, motionless in the fog; one of them is the fami- Summary: Looking for Europe? Here it is: The Circo Soluna, which was invented by in Hungary. However, Circo Soluna is about to ly’s winter trailer, while the other serves as their Mr. Brendel, a man of German origin, his wife Petra and two of their children. They hit the road again, packed with magic gadgets summer trailer. The yellow wagon doubles as a are all artists of course in this family circus that wanders all around Europe. Their and memories and escorted by its herd of ani- warehouse and a guest room, and the newest lifestyle was all but impossible just a generation earlier as they would have run into mals, to find a new home again – somewhere and smallest of them all serves as a kitchen. the Iron Curtain. Travelling with their horses and “portable circus” from one village in Europe. to another, from one country to the next they put a completely fresh spin on the t’s eleven in the morning: home tuition is in- mobility that the enlargement of the EU has secured for them as they take their art “Circus, circus! Acrobats and Fakirs, Firewalkers Iterrupted by visitors, much to the joy of eight to villages in all of the 27 member states. and Clowns! The show starts at six this year-old Fjosok. He returns to his nook with his evening!” – walking on stilts, riding a giant bike, Asterix books, close to where his sister sits knit- or occasionally doing both at the same time, ting a meter-long shawl. Only two of the chil- Estimation of jury: The jury found this article outstanding and came to a concordant Stefan covers as many of the village streets as dren stayed on. Two other daughters and two decision that it should be the winner. Concerning the jury’s decision, the content of possible, inviting people to attend the evening sons have already left the troupe to go on their the article reflects the tender and it is written in a good, fluent style about living and show. His wife Petra is by his side, playing the separate ways. One of the siblings lives in Italy, prevailing in the EU. The winning article has a lot of metaphorical sections and out- accordion and placing posters here and there. while another decided to settle in Austria. standing linguistic formulation that successfully illustrate the underlying content and the real meaning of being European. uring the show, ten year-old Nis throws nter Stefan, an ageless man, with a face re- Dwhite batons from the trapeze while her Esembling that of Jesus. In his red hands he white suit turns blue: the arctic ice is melting. holds photos: twenty years of Sun Moon Circus. A business man juggles mobile phones, trades To these people, the European landscape holds guns and causes uncontrollable deforestation, more than what a mere map can lead to. They until a fairy turns his guns into wheat and his wander through the land like vagabonds, cars into bikes. In Titanic, the heroine starts capturing every moment: the olive groves of feeling nauseous in the heat of the romantic Tuscany, the cork trees of Sardinia, the hills of tension of an acrobatic sex scene, and chases the Hungarian Őrség region. They know which suitcases which are being knocked around on mountains should be avoided, conscious of the the deck of the sinking ship. The circus is magi- fact that the horses would struggle in vain to cal, even if instead of an elephant on a bike you reach the other side, and they remember all too get Kati the Hen and Laci the Rooster perform- well which roads had put them through bit- ing on stage, and instead of a lion you see Run ter tests and jounced their wagons mercilessly the dog doing tricks. in the past. They know the faces of the differ- 68 ¡ HUNGARY ¡ HUNGARY 69 ¡ Viktória Iván ¡ Viktória Iván ent villagers, the thousands of faces of people they asked the audience if someone had a blan- beams broke in the middle of the village. No one ling around the world in a jeep, by setting off who watched them perform. Country borders ket to spare. That evening they received more knows whether the circus members were driven from Australia, passing through the Sahara and are but red lines on a piece of paper, and the than one blanket, and by the time it was morn- by panic or anger, but somehow they managed making their way to America. watch posts stand abandoned. Back in the time ing they had a huge pile of blankets in front to get out of the village. The next settlement when Stefan and his companions left Germany, of the circus. They drove around all day until was 40 kilometres away and then suddenly, just Departure Europe was still divided by barbed wire and they found an aid organization to which they like in a fairy tale, Hans and Stella, the circus’ bipolar ideologies. They managed to move donated the gifts. There is no admission fee for two Dutch friends, who somehow always spot- tefan and Petra did not choose this vaga- around freely, in the same way that travelling the shows, and the amount of money they make ted the circus wherever they went in Europe, Sbond way of life because they were fed up circus acrobats have done for centuries. Their depends solely on whether they gain the sympa- appeared as if from nowhere. They also found with urban life. Some might say that they have Europe is one huge landmass dotted with vil- thy and trust of the community. All and sundry a herdsman’s hut, a cave for shelter and a fresh found what most people can only long for. Such lages and towns, and their speech has acquired put something into the donations hat, accord- water spring for the horses. Unhappy and hope- remarks leave Petra and Stefan clueless. What a particular flavour, caused by the pastiche of ing to their liking; the audience often pays with less situations are always resolved by chance have they found? Were they looking for any- the German, Italian, English and Hungarian vegetables, fruit, preserves or jam. Audiences events. This is an unwritten law, which nearly thing at all in the first place? Petra and Stefan words they use. in some places are more generous than oth- always comes to the rescue of travellers. That is have the following advice to give to those who ers, but the circus receives just enough to share why they would never worry about what might envy their lifestyle: “try it out for yourself and Arrival with others. Stefan once paid a vet who cured happen to them next. It would be unexciting to become a circus performer”. Chances are that the circus horse by doing a show for him. The know beforehand about events waiting to hap- after two months these people will be begging rior to coming to Hungary, they heard that circus visited the village where the vet lived, pen, or so scary that they would be paralyzed to get their ordinary life back. Not all parts of Pno permits were required for performing and the troupe played music and performed all with fear, and unable to take another step. this way of life can be faced with a happy-go- shows in Hungary. In Italy, obtaining permits sorts of juggling tricks. There were dogs play- lucky attitude, and magical, or somewhat sur- was always a hassle. All they needed to do in ing soccer and fakirs playing with fire – it was tefan says that he, as an outsider, does not real experiences, are not always the order of the Hungary was ask for the mayor’s verbal consent. a show the likes of which the village had never Shave the right to judge any community. day. Shows are only one part of the circus per- The circus had already covered the western part seen before. He has a choice: accept them or avoid them. formers’ lives and the rest of their time is spent of the country, Bakony and the Őrség region, He respects others and makes an effort to get on loading, assembling, travelling and carrying but it never crossed the Danube River. Maybe it owever, the reception given is not all that to know them and understand them, because out an awful lot of work. It can also be quite a never will. The plan is to venture into Poland, Hfriendly in some places. In Sardinia, in prejudice does not lead to any good. Stefan nuisance when your goat gets stolen. The giant Lithuania or the Czech Republic, as people have the secluded villages of Barbagia, anything new and his family are guests wherever they go, bike has also been stolen twice so far, but it has a great sense of humour there. and unknown is flatly refused. Even Sardinians and they behave accordingly. They claim that been returned on both occasions, since only ac- themselves would think twice about venturing by fitting in and accepting others they do not robats are skilled enough to ride it. ungary was a real surprise to the circus there. If you end up there alone and allow the lose, but gain. They like to open up and let the Hshowmen, who were used to the Italian locals to get to know you slowly, they will show- encounters happen, thus enriching themselves n the stable next to the circus, cows graze temperament. Italian audiences always laugh er you with hospitality. But if you arrive as a by getting to know the individuals they meet. Iwhile listening to a loud radio. Laci the and cry along, while Hungarian ones are re- tourist or as part of a circus, they might get an- Until now they have had the chance to acquaint Rooster scratches around leisurely for food in served, full of inhibitions, and good at hiding gry at you: they’ll puncture your car tires and themselves with at least one thousand people on the snow, and the goats stare at the dogs jump- their emotions. The routine, however, is the smash your windows. In one of the villages, loan individual level: one of these is a Capuchin ing around by the electrical fence. The circus same wherever they go. The circus people often cal youth started to pick on them and even fired monk from Spoleto, who became a clown after menagerie consists of six horses, three dogs, arouse suspicion among the villagers at first. By guns. They could not turn to the police, because the 2002 earthquake in Italy, in order to cheer goats, rabbits, geese and hens. They are troupe the time they are marching through the streets, that would have just put fuel to the flame in up his fellow countrymen, who would pack the members, as the family is vegetarian. The curiosity takes over, and the first evening is al- the village. The next day, the circus packed up tin shack he performed in. Stefan also speaks of Brenders seldom see meat, or a doctor, for that ways an ice breaker. Once, at the end of a show, and hit the road. However, one of the carriage a Belgian family, which spent 22 years travel- matter. Two of their six children were born in 70 ¡ HUNGARY ¡ ICELAND 71 ¡ Viktória Iván ¡ Nanna Árnadóttir the circus wagon. The family uses homeopathic Closing image Nanna Árnadóttir worked as an editor at PRNewswire in medication, if needed. They have used candle- London for two years until last August when she moved light for years, until a reckless friend of theirs tefan and a friend of his were once talking CVto Iceland to start an MA in Journalism at the University moved in with them. Before long, the Brenders Sabout whether it would be possible to make of Iceland. She worked on projects with Haymarket pub- began wondering when their forgetful friend a movie about the travels of Circo Soluna. The lishing, interned at all of Iceland’s main media outlets (TV, would accidentally set fire to the whole wagon last scene would probably show a horse wagon radio, web and print) and was published in internationally with a candle, so they decided to buy a solar being lifted up into the sky by four huge bal- known publications. Currently she is a columnist and con- battery. The family has no cell phones and no loons. Up, up and away straight to the Sun and tributor to the Iceland Review. TV. They resent the internet so much that one the Moon. day they might even pay a hacker just to remove all news about the Brenders from the web. They Summary: The piece submitted as a part of an internmittent series of EU related own a radio though, and have a huge collection opinion columns touching on Iceland’s relationship with notions of European inte- of books. The kids are taught by Stefan and gration, economic and political shelter. Right off the bat, the point was to approach Petra using German school books. The kids the piece with as much humour as possible. That week, the EU was set to announce will sit for their graduation exams in Germany. the recommendation of accession talks, a pro-EU cell had formed within the notori- Fragile Nis, with her baby looks, and Fjosok, ously Euro-skeptical Independence Party and a radio show had aired which heav- with his golden-blond, bristly hair, do not care ily featured the spouting of euromyths as unchallenged facts. My research for the what happens past that. Right now the only whole series was quite extensive but to name a few processes the basic idea involved thing they care about is the tree house with its following news in the Icelandic media as well as the tried and true EUObserver. Get- ice-covered lookout, on which they manage to ting in touch with pro and anti EU lobby groups regularly and discussing euromyths keep themselves only thanks to their acrobatic with anyone and everyone. Reading papers and books on the crash, notions of skills. sovereignty, fear of cultural integration, international relations and the Icelandic government; Meltdown Iceland by Richard Boyes, Iceland by Ólafur Harðarson and Farewell Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson, Iceland and the European integration by Baldur Þórhalls- son, to name a few. aying good-bye is only hard for ten minutes, Suntil the wagons set off on their way again. Even if landscapes and people change constant- Estimation of jury: Nanna Árnadóttir’s article, “My home, my Iceland, my Europe”, ly, the road stays the same. Its novelty and unfa- has an original approach that captures the reader. It is well written, representing the miliarity are inviting, and make it easier for the opposite views of the pro-European community and the Euro-skeptics in a playful circus family to leave behind the region they manner. Apart from one factual error, the article is a worthy representative of Ice- have come to know as home. Then, as soon as land in the European Young Journalist Award 2010. they arrive to another destination, they look for the constant in the change, for a new home in a foreign place. Maybe one day, one of these stops will prove to be final. 72 ¡ ICELAND ¡ ICELAND 73 ¡ Nanna Árnadóttir ¡ Nanna Árnadóttir

ormer Minister of Education, Thorgerdur he answer? Nothing but good: I lived in My Home, My Iceland, My Europe FKatrín Gunnarsdóttir of the Independence TEU countries for a large chunk of my life Party, recently complained that the EU is when I wasn’t in Iceland. I can admit that be- talked about too much and that we have cause I’ve never been in the Judean People’s Blurb: What have the EU ever done for us? ut who are the oppressive Egyptians (I greater things to attend to than possible EU Front (or is it the People’s Front of Judea?). Bsay “oppressive” contextually, I’m actually membership. n one of the greatest comedies of all time a fan of Egypt), and who are in Moses’ free- hat will the EU do for Iceland? What I(by my estimation) a group of scruffy men dom fighting crew? It depends who you ask, ome are worried about how the Icesave Wdid the EU ever do for me? sit huddled together in a dimly-lit room that of course. Smutiny will affect our application, though by the looks of it carries the delicate scent of a most have just grown weary of hearing the part from guaranteeing four weeks questionable odor. nti EU movement Heimsýn will tell you word Icesave. Apaid holiday and the protection of part Aon their website (which is in Icelandic) time work, the free movement of goods, free n a tantrum of Pythonesque proportions that they are fighting to maintain sovereignty uromyths are still a problem, fears about movement of people, the research grants, the Ithe group steadily pleads: “What did the and keep the country from the clutches of EU Ethe shape of cucumbers and the enlisting Erasmus program, the rigid and prosperous Romans ever do for us?” oppression. of innocent young Icelandic boys into the vast wildlife protection programs, the commitment (and currently non-existent) EU army plague to environment, the removal of cell phone es, what did the Romans ever do? What n the flipside is the pro-EU movement conversations, papers and airwaves and as al- roaming charges, the extension and guarantee Ydid the Romans ever do for them—apart OEvrópusamtök, which argues on its web- ways the fear of losing our national identity of parental leave—What has the EU ever done from the sanitation, medicine, education, site (in Icelandic) that EU oppression is mel- plays up to the hostile nature of trepidatious for us? wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh odramatic whimsy and that benefits of EU hearts. water system and public health? membership far outweigh its downsides. say that I think of myself as “me” first. I am s I snuggled into my sofa I cackled at The hese two groups have even spawned youth I me. Then I’m Icelandic, then I’m European ALife of Brian while scallop-sized balls of Torganizations where politically-minded and then I’m a citizen of the globe. I see noth- hail battered against my window. Reminding teens and young adults can spread the word ing wrong with believing in what the EU me once again where I am in the world, my of the Anti/Pro EU gospel. It’s as though these preaches about unity. sofa, my home, my Iceland, my Europe—in organizations are becoming more like actual that order. political parties as opposed to lobbyists. hat you are more than just your national- Tity, that you are part of a community that ccording to an official with the EU, next ther recent EU developments in Iceland reaches beyond borders, nationalities, cultures, AWednesday the European Commission Oinclude the establishment of a pro-EU creed and color. will issue its opinion recommending the start cell within Iceland’s right-wing political par- of accession negotiations with Iceland. ty Sjálfstaedisflokkurinn (the Independence don’t see how me being a European inter- Party), and although the party is still officially I feres in any way with me being an Icelandic eception of the news is mixed. The coun- against EU accession several members are of a person. What did the EU ever do to me? Rtry seems to be parting like the red sea different opinion and are hoping that throught and on one sandy bank stand those who sup- their initiative others will change their opin- port membership and on the other those who ions on the matter as well. do not. 74 ¡ IRELAND ¡ IRELAND 75 ¡ Angela Steen ¡ Angela Steen

Angela Steen is 27 years old. She is a graduate of Trinity College in Dublin and the Sciences-Po (Institut d’Etudes Polish migrants post-crisis in Ireland: CVPolitiques) Paris. She has been working in Brussels for the last two years, where she is a Parliamentary Assistant at is there no place like home? the European Parliament. She has also worked as a freelance journalist for the last four years. In 2008 she was a National Prize Winner in the European Parliament Prize n late 2009, as most of the world continued Happy in Ireland for Journalism. Ito sludge through the dregs of an economic recession that had spared few, Poland became he economic darling of the EU, a visit to the only country in the EU to register eco- TIreland in the ten years between 1995 and Summary: In 2004, Ireland opened its doors to thousands of economic migrants nomic growth at a stable rate of 1.2%. Long 2005 showed off a gleaming population, high from the new EU member states of Central and Eastern Europe. The Poles were the a country associated with a dark, depressing on their own success, downing everything largest community to arrive, visibly marking the country with their food shops, climate and eccentric politicians and customs, from over-priced cappuccinos to over-priced newspapers and dedicated Catholicism. Like the Irish, the Poles worked hard and since its accession to the European Union in homes. When EU enlargement opened up new partied hard, making the most of Ireland’s booming Celtic Tiger economy. Six years 2004, the country is fast remodeling itself borders and new possibilities for the coun- later, the Tiger is dead. The jobs are gone. The party is over. But the Poles are stay- as a success story – with a capable, educated tries of central and Eastern Europe, it was the ing. This article looks at the reasons why young Poles are choosing to stay on in a workforce, attractive cities steeped in deca- Polish who made the most indelible imprint country dogged with unemployment, levies and salary cuts. Looking at the lives of dent architecture and a foreign policy that has on Irish society, with Polish shops, newspapers two young Poles who are here to stay, the article explores their feelings about life in successfully carved out a functional, proactive and adverts popping up in a population that Ireland compared with life at home, and the future they have chosen to face in their role for Poland in the world. up to that point had itself been used to creat- new home, Ireland. ing immigrant communities abroad. By 2005, 000 kilometers to the west, the picture was it was estimated there were 200, 000 Poles liv- 2looking rather different. With experts pre- ing in the country. Estimation of jury: The report has good subject matter and gives an interesting dicting that the Irish economy would decline take on post-crisis migration. It is a strong article that takes a subtle and enlightened by a further 7% before the country could cel- etween April 2008 and April 2009, only look at the topic of enlargement and the similarities in Polish and Irish experiences. ebrate Christmas, the population was already B30, 000 central and eastern European mi- Furthermore, the report is well-researched, human interest driven and hugely acces- struggling through the gloomiest recession in grants chose to return, the majority choosing sible. The jury was impressed by the comparative nature of the work – comparing their history. Constructions sites around the to rebuff the growing success of their own the plight of the two countries as told through the first person accounts of the peo- country lay half built and eerily empty. Social country and ride out the economic storm in ple that were interviewed rather than an op-ed, polemical style. welfare offices filled up with qualified lawyers, their newly settled home. ‘The work ethic is accountants, architects and young graduates. totally different in Poland,’ explains Dawid In February of 2010, unemployment tipped Kuc, from the stately town Toszek in southern 12.6% – up 8% from the level a mere five years Poland, who moved here in September 2007. before. Male employment was down 11%, with ‘My friends who work in the same field as me the construction industry and the hardest hit. in Poland work really late evening and week- Bankers resigned and politicians scurried to ends. The quality of life here is better.’ A mas- pull together the remains of a Celtic Tiger ters graduate in financial management, Dawid economy that had been reduced to a hungry was looking ‘for something different’ upon stray kitten. The good days were over. graduation and found it in the Dublin offices 76 ¡ IRELAND ¡ ITALY 77 ¡ Angela Steen ¡ Antonio Di Bartolomeo of KPMG. ‘I have never had any negativity ssues of integration continue to be a topic of Antonio Di Bartolomeo was born in 1985, when radios towards my working here since the economic Iconcern with regard to Ireland’s new found ware playing A-ha’s hit Take on me. He studied Interna- downturn,’ he says. ‘Work wise, there are the cosmopolitanism, but many Irish people are CVtional relations and he is currently enrolled at the post- usual things that everyone faces, some salary glad of the solidarity of the Polish in recent graduate School of Radio and TV Journalism in Perugia, cuts, perhaps some promotion opportunities months. Organisations like Forum Polonia, which is linked to major Italian public broadcaster, RAI. that won’t happen now, but overall I really like have been outspoken in efforts to better in- He speaks English, Spanish, French and has an affinity for my life and my job here in Ireland. There is a tegrate the Polish community into Irish life, Slavic languages. His hobbies include listening to the ra- great Polish community here and life is good.’ calling for better language support in schools dio, drinking tasty red wine and karaoke. Dawid does not plan on returning to Poland in and events for cultural exchange between both the near future. Justyna Taraga, from Poland’s cultures. ‘There was a lot of talk in the good fourth largest city Wroclaw, has been living days that the Poles were just here to make Summary: Fourteen years after the end of war, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina here since 2004. Working in banking cus- money, send most of it back home and then for a week. I realized that there is so much to tell about this country that was still tomer care, she is equally upbeat. ‘Of course leave when the going got tough,’ says taxi driv- unknown to the general public. I tried to explain this country through the voices of lots of my friends lost their jobs, both Polish er Derek O’Hana. ‘To be honest, it’s nice to see seven people I met during my travels. My interviewees were people who lived, or still and Irish,’ she admits, ‘but many are on social that many of them have roots down here and live, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They told me their experience, their impression and welfare now, or doing courses to improve their are sticking out the tough times with us. They their feelings. My aim was to use what only radio can give namely music, sounds, skills. For me, I have a fun job, I have met are good workers, and we need them in crisis voices to tell their stories. Europe looks so close and yet so far at the same time from loads of people… I am happy here.’ Justyna as in the good times.’ Justyna sums up the sen- Sarajevo, a city divided between past and future. The road to Brussels still has to be has no immediate plans to move home. timent. ‘If you have been here for many years completed. it’s not so easy just to up and leave because Not just here to make money the economic situation has changed. Most of us have partners, cars and apartments by now. Estimation of jury: The jury awarded the originality of the investigation on the Bos- here is hope that the vibrancy and posi- Our lives are here.’ nian situation and the choice of a hard theme with many and knotty implications, Ttivity of the Polish community in Ireland as well as the relevance and quality of the content. could bring energy and vigour to the depressed reland now faces the challenge of integrat- Irish psyche, left wounded from the recent Iing the “new” communities who are here to bust. While there had been much talk in the stay in the good times as well as in the bad. country during the boom years of the positive By making integration a key aspect of the gov- effects of the Polish gene pool in increasing ernment agenda, the country could choose to the attractiveness of the somewhat pasty Irish, avoid the racism and marginalization of cul- it now may be that their upbeat attitude in the tural groups as witnessed in countries like face of difficulty might just help matters too. the UK and France. Where once Ireland pro- ‘My Polish girlfriend is great at putting things vided inspiration to the Central and Eastern into perspective,’ says Dylan Francis, a pub European countries with its vibrant economy worker from Galway. ‘She couldn’t get over the and investment of European funds, it could recent furore over the 2 inch snowfall in across now lead by example with immigrant integra- the country and how most of us were moaning tion policy, as the newest EU member states about the freezing weather. It was minus two face their own influx of foreigners coming to here. In Poland, they are used to minus 20.’ start their new lives abroad. 78 ¡ ITALY ¡ ITALY 79 ¡ Antonio Di Bartolomeo ¡ Antonio Di Bartolomeo

From Sarajevo to Brussels, Azra: Ivo Andric’s “Bridges”: I didn’t have so many problems in Italy. We Of all the things created and built by human- a one-way trip were among the first foreigners to come to live kind as a part of life’s effort, nothing in my in Bozen. mind is better or worthier than bridges. They belong to all and treat all alike; they are use- Introduction from a theatre show: Azra: Presenter: ful, always built for a purpose, at a spot where most human needs entwine; they are more du- I was born in a country facing the sea: the We took a convoy leaving from Sarajevo. What do you think about Bosnia and rable than other buildings and serve no secret Adriatic Sea. When I was a child I did not eat We were going to Croatia, because everyone Herzegovina joining EU? or evil purpose. much so, my grandmother used to chase me thought the war would not last more than one with a spoon in her hand to the seashore where month. Then we went to Rijeka, from Rijeka to Azra: Presenter: I was forced to stop. Where is all of this water Triest, in Italy. going? Sea, sea, sea... And a blue line down the I would be glad for them. There is much un- This is how the Nobel prize winner for bottom. Infinity? Not at all. Presenter: employment and much criminality now, at Literature, Yugoslavian Ivo Andric, wrote least in Sarajevo. about bridges. This is why the symbol of Presenter: Who were you going with? Mostar itself, the old bridge (which gives the Presenter: town its name), was a symbol to break. “There have been no war for over sixty years Azra: in Europe!” Do you feel more Italian or more Bosnian? It took 10 seconds for the Croatian army to I was with my brother. I was 11, he was 15. Our destruct 427 years of history. This is how long Dear listeners, we often heard this lie. And parents were not with us. Azra: the bridge, which was constructed in the six- maybe I even told it sometimes. A lie. There teenth century by Ottomans had stood. A few was a war in Europe: just one hundred miles Presenter: I feel like a little bit of everything. I lived in years ago the bridge was restored to its pre-war off the Italian coast. Austria for many years. I feel... European, yes, status, thanks to international funds, includ- Where were you brought then? European. ing Italian ones. We talked with Dario Terzic, The conflict in former Yugoslavia lasted four a radio journalist from Mostar. years, from 1991 to 1995 (the day before yes- Azra: (Song: Dordje Balashevic – Samo da rata ne terday, actually). Over one hundred thousand bude) Dario Terzic: victims. They brought us to a camp for Yugoslavian refugees in Italy. We lived there for a couple of Presenter: There are still many problems, despite many It began as a conflict between Serbs and years. My mother came afterwards. We were nice things have been written in the papers. Croats, then war spread to Sarajevo, where the only children with no parents there. It is 1987 when Dordje Balashevic sings Everything is still very much divided. Muslims lived for centuries together with this song called “Samo da rata ne bude”. Orthodox, Catholics and Jews. Many civilians Presenter: Translation: I hope there’ll be no war. Bad Presenter: left the city in search of a safer place. Azra, an prophet. Italian-Bosnian girl who lives in Bozen in Italy How was your integration in Italy? What are some other problems in your town? now was one of these. She remembers very well War hit many towns, including Mostar, where those days. She told me her story. it was fought between Croats and Bosniaks. 80 ¡ ITALY ¡ ITALY 81 ¡ Antonella Andriuolo ¡ Antonella Andriuolo

Dario: Formally there is only one state. Actually there Matteo: Amel: is a state within the state, called Republika There are too many. I would need a book just Srpska, which is the Serb entity. A High It’s a very weak figurehead position which is Our politicians are to blame. They are aware to mention them. Representative from the European Union is in dominated by nationalist parties in Bosnia. of the current stalemate. charge for vetoing any law or nominee deemed Presenter: to be dangerous for peace. Presenter: Presenter:

How is Mostar’s economy doing? I have asked Marco Tacconi, a journalist of the What are the risks for the future? Will something change in the next elections Italian newspaper “Europa”, to comment on this year? Dario: contemporary Bosnian politics. Matteo: Amel: It’s a disaster. The Eastern side has barely any Matteo Tacconi: If things are not going to change, Bosnia might production. The Croatian side has got alumin- become a failed state. We’ll see. People are sick of all of this. The ium. Only Croats work there, while Bosniaks Currently the political situation is the worst matter of liberalization is just one among oth- have been trying to come back to work there that it has been since the end of war. For ex- Presenter: ers. People are fed up with many things. for years. ample, this is what happens today. If we are in Republika Srpska, a Serb mayor will not help Croats and Serbs in Bosnia have got Croatian Presenter: Presenter: any Bosniak or Croat to find a job. A Serb and Serbian citizenship, very often. It means would be favoured. that half of the population, who are Bosniaks, What is Italy doing to promote visa liberaliza- How deep is this division in society? are the only ones who cannot travel freely tion? I asked Simone De Santi, first secretary Presenter: through Europe. Croats are about to join EU, of Italian embassy in Sarajevo. Dario: while Serbians can travel in Europe with no Who is to blame? visa since last December. Simone De Santi: Public companies in Mostar are divided. Even in football Bosniak and Croatian teams are Matteo: I interviewed Amel Izde, a young Bosniak That is a priority for us. Our hope is that different. who has been fighting for years to grant all Bosnia will reach all the standards within 2010 International inactivity is the most important Bosnians the right to move. to get visa liberalization. We are just negotiat- Conduzione: reason. The international community doesn’t ing technical details. know what to do now. Amel Izde: Understanding Bosnia-Herzegovina is not Presenter: easy, first of all because it is tri-ethnical. Half Presenter: Travelling and studying abroad would be very of 4.5-million population is Islamic. They are important for us. What’s the next decision the EU asks of called Bosniaks. Around one third is Serb, i.e. What do you think of what the High Bosnia? Christian Orthodox. One inhabitant out of Representative is doing? Conduzione: seven is Catholic or Croat. The complex political situation is a fruit of the Dayton Accords Amel, who’s to blame for this problem? signed in 1995. 82 ¡ ITALY ¡ ITALY 83 ¡ Antonella Andriuolo ¡ Antonella Andriuolo

Simone: Presenter: Azra:

The most important step is adapting the Roberta, tell me about other Italian coop- Reopening that railway means a new be- Bosnian constitution to the European erations that are taking place in Bosnia and ginning. I really hope so. It was part of the Convention of Human Rights. Now we are Herzegovina. European railway network and it was connect- facing new elections, so it is not easy to start ing Europe with middle east in the past. any reform. Roberta: (Song: Sarajevo Ljubavi Moja) Presenter: We have several projects going on. One is about removing mines, another about justice Presenter: Italian commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina minor and disability. is not just diplomatic it is a commitment to Our trip in Bosnia ends here. With “Sarajevo, by the people to the people. One of these are Presenter: ljubavi moja”, a song by Kemal Monteno, a Roberta Biagiarelli, a theatre actress. Roberta half-Italian and half-Bosnian singer. It means carries out a cooperation project in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s way to Brussels has “Sarajevo, my love”. A city so close and so far where the last genocide in Europe took place. been already paved. But somebody is still si- at the same time. The perception of a distance lently ostracising Bosnia and Herzegovina. that maybe only the European Union can cov- (Voice of general Ratko Mladic after entering Azra Nuhefendic, Bosnian writer, told me er. One fine day. Srebrenica) about them.

This is the voice of Serb general Mladic after Azra: entering Srebrenica. Mladic is a fugitive wanted by the Hague tribunal for war crimes. In a Most of Tycoons don’t want Bosnia to join few days his army killed more than 8 thousand EU soon. Europe means rules and that is not Muslims. good for them. Europe, on the other hand, is not showing so much willingness to include Roberta Biagiarelli told us about her work in us. Maybe it’s because we are a country with a Srebrenica. muslim majority.

Roberta: Presenter:

We are conducting workshops, seminars, The railway between Sarajevo and Belgrade Italian language courses, and courses on was recently reopened. Do you think it might Ecology. We also have a mobile library for be a sign of hope? children living in the countryside. 84 ¡ KOSOVO (UNDER UNSCR 1244/1999) ¡ KOSOVO (UNDER UNSCR 1244/1999) 85 ¡ Muhamet Brajshori ¡ Muhamet Brajshori

Muhamet Brajshori was born on 26 December 1988. He is currently in his last semester of an undergraduate The need for internal integration CCVdegreeV in Political Science at the University of Prishtina. At present he is on an Erasmus exchange at the University of and European integration Turku in Finland. Last year, he completed one semester at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. He is an active member of the World Bank Youth Voice Group in Kosovo, Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, then – Kosovo. A step forward in the implementation and has worked for many NGO’s in his native country over German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, asserted of the Copenhagen political criteria has been the last years. that the integration path was open to the taken. The integration of minorities in Kosovo rest of Europe. But something happened that must be based on a strategy aimed at positive could have been expected owing to the given discrimination of all minorities, not only to- Summary: After the fall of the Berlin Wall, people hoped that a new era would begin political era, but not predicted. Instead of inwards a few, because this will cause major ob- for Europe, marked by peace and solidarity for all. Instead Europe found itself fac- tegration between nations after the fall of the stacles in addressing the problems, and foster ing fragmentation, abuse of minority rights, wars and violence. In Kosovo after the iron curtain, Europe became fragmented, in further discontent. NATO involvement, the position of minorities was a key question. Kosovo as a coun- particular Yugoslavia, where minority rights try that wants to become an EU member must demonstrate that it is a functional constituted a problem for the stability of the he most significant government docu- country, which successfully implements reforms. federation. And throughout, much of the Tments provide legal equality of all com- roots were thought to lie in communism, its munities and integration of national minori- Last year’s EU progress report for Kosovo addressed the need for more action to be end causing major problems in Europe and re- ties in Kosovar society. But how realistic is it to taken to get on the right path towards European integration. All of society is aware viving the need for the promotion of human expect that these documents will enable equal that the integration of minorities requires positive discrimination. The legal system rights and minority rights. access to all minorities? The real challenges must enable minorities to access their rights, and thus initiate the implementation in the integration of minorities in public sec- of the political aspect of the Copenhagen criteria. Kosovo’s main priority is the EU n Kosovo, NATO’s intervention launched tor employment, education in native language integration process, but before Kosovo can join the EU they must first achieve inter- Ithe debate about the position of minori- must be directly addressed. Political rather nal integration. Kosovo’s main challenges during the EU integration process include ties, especially in light of the Albanian ma- than practical solutions are required, because economic development and cooperation with Belgrade and other regional actors. If jority’s demand for independence, the issue trust is needed to strengthen the institutions this is successful, Kosovo can hope for a better future for all its communities. of how they would react and how to ensure of Kosovo, which is possible through practical respect for minority rights in a fragment- steps in order to resolve everyday problems of ed society. European integration requires a all citizens of Kosovo. Estimation of jury: The jury selected the article based on its advanced style in com- functioning state, which causes problems for parison with the other submissions. The author successfully presents a concise review the European integration process in the case he European Union is built on the founda- of different social issues in the process of Kosovo’s internal and European integration of Kosovo, because of Serb non-involvement Ttion of ethnic, religious and cultural diver- processes. Throughout the entire article, he consistently achieves this objective. in decision-making processes, influenced by sity, which should be evaluated as values; Kosovo Belgrade’s interference. Creating and imple- is an ethnic and religious mosaic, which could menting a functional state is quite difficult become an example for inter-ethnic values. But to attain. the war has left its marks, and relations and for inter-cultural although violence in Kosovo has his year’s EU progress report on Kosovo ended, there are people who do not want to Taddresses the successes and challenges come back and see no future in the communi- involved in the integration of minorities in ties they used to live in. 86 ¡ KOSOVO (UNDER UNSCR 1244/1999) ¡ LATVIA 87 ¡ Muhamet Brajshori ¡ Michael Dozler

ow, since independence, affirmative osovo is the most under-developed coun- Michael G. Dozler writes regular opinion articles that fo- Nrights for minorities living in Kosovo Ktry in Europe, but this does not imply cus on the politics and economics of the European Union exist. However, Kosovo is far from a satisfac- that foreign investments would directly or in- CVand Latvia for the English-language news source Baltic tory standard of economic development and directly influence the mitigation of interethnic Reports. He currently lives in Riga, where he also conducts rule of law, yet institutions are committed to relations. However, not having a job naturally research on the cooperation between non-governmental a greater inclusion of minorities by adopting leads a person to pursue other activities that organisations of Latvia. He is studying international af- the principle of integration on an equal basis do not necessarily contribute to inter-ethnic fairs, taking graduate classes at the University of Latvia’s and respect for the identity and affiliation of reconciliation, which makes the situation more European Union Studies Programme. Michael also enjoys all citizens. difficult. If Belgrade begins to understand the travelling, reading, and politics. new reality, and even if it fails to find the will ll this is linked to a common goal, to recognise Kosovo, it should at least not en- AEuropean integration. European integra- courage local Serbs to defy Kosovo’s institu- Summary: Croatia submitted its application for European Union accession in 2003. tion today is a priority for all Western Balkan tions and reject its Albanian neighbours. Now several factors including the pending passage of the Treaty of Lisbon (at the countries. Kosovo is not an exception in this time of publication), the EU application of Iceland, and a Commission progress report regard. But is Kosovo in an equal position hat is needed at this time? Kosovo’s on the candidate country forecast, Croatia will likely be admitted in late 2010 or 2011. with its neighbouring states? Certainly not. Winstitutions should not pursue faster Despite the Commission report’s praise in Croatia’s rapid progress in meeting the Co- Like Bosnia, Kosovo suffered great damage European integration without internal in- penhagen criteria, some of the findings reveal political and economic concerns that from the war of 1999. The need for European tegration. What needs to be achieved first is the Union ought to consider. Problems of organised crime, corruption, and economic integration appears to us today as our only the freedom of movement for all, even though vulnerability still exist. Yet, these shortcomings are not slowing Croatia’s prospects option for prosperity. Kosovo as a new state progress has already been made in this regard. because the process’ momentum is strong. The belief among EU officials is that the should first and foremost achieve the neces- However, for Kosovo’s institutions, the exam- Union can push for more reforms after admission. The process has serious flaws. Take sary economic conditions for internal inte- ple of Cyprus should not be a model. Cyprus, the example of Latvia. Latvia, which also had an approximately seven-year nego- gration. That means supporting minorities in albeit an EU member, has not achieved inter- tiation process, has many of the same problems as Croatia. However, the Union is Kosovo, and allowing them to feel that Kosovo nal harmony with all its communities. Kosovo hamstrung in attempts to push reforms in the Baltic country. The comparison reveals is not just the state where they live, but also should use European integration as a tool for that speed should not compromise rigorous vetting of candidate countries. If more their home. internal integration. That is, if the Serb mi- time had been set aside during Latvia’s application, reforms may have had a greater nority wants to achieve better economic con- impact. Likewise, in Croatia a comprehensive, lengthy process might be more benefi- lthough Kosovo is alleged to have made ditions, they should stop listening to Belgrade, cial than a fast one. Agreat strides in terms of ethnic reconcili- because the integration of Serbia in the EU ation, the reality on the ground reveals a dif- does not mean the integration of Kosovo Serbs ferent picture. The northern part of Mitrovica in the EU. Even more so for the majority, this is one of the most problematic areas in terms would mean the evolvement of new difficul- Estimation of jury: The article compares Croatia’s readiness for EU membership in of inter-ethnic integration. Here, relations ties, e.g., crossing the border to Serbia as a comparison with Latvia. It warns against rushing to fulfil pre-accession obligations. and neighbourly cooperation between Serbs condition imposed by the EU. Serbs in Kosovo The author takes a very interesting approach. He compares two countries’ acces- and Albanians is weak, though some notable thus understand that they will eventually join sion processes and draws well-grounded conclusions. The purpose of the writing is achievements have been made. One thing is the EU, but as part of Kosovo. clear and the author has crafted an analytical work with good journalistic style and certain: You can’t have good relations with your quality. neighbour who lives further away, if you have problems with your next-door neighbour! 88 ¡ LATVIA ¡ LATVIA 89 ¡ Michael Dozler ¡ Michael Dozler

lthough Croatia will not likely take a sharp fighting corruption and organized crime, com- Latvia’s example should Adownturn like Latvia, it could suffer from petition, and transport. The EU and outside a sluggish economy unless large economic re- observers like Amnesty International have slow Croatian EU bid forms are made. The Commission report found criticized the country for not investigating war that the country lacked a medium-term eco- crimes impartially and without discrimination. nomic strategy and that structural reforms have Unless the EU can eliminate these concerns Croatia received optimistic news with the Oct. of potential member states. For Croatia, press- only seen limited progress. In early October now, corruption in Croatia will persist. 14 release of the European Commission’s 2009 ing economic and political issues still need to 2009, the IMF recommended reducing foreign enlargement strategy and progress reports for be addressed before accession. If rushed into capital dependence, reduce the government’s he consequences of past, hurried enlarge- candidate countries. admitting Croatia, the EU will have more dif- share of the economy, and diversifying to sec- Tments should be a reminder that both the ficulty in overseeing the changes it desires once tors beyond tourism. But officials in Zagreb, EU and the candidate country benefit from a n almost all areas of accession, it scored high it becomes a member, as the example in Latvia like those in Riga, insist on managing their comprehensive accession process. The EU has Imarks and praise for its progress in preparing illustrates well. economy on their own. So, unless the EU can limited means of resolving internal issues of for joining the European Union. Most indica- pressure these reforms before admission, the member states, compared to leverage the proc- tions show that the Balkan country is on track he financial crisis has impacted all members still-emerging Croatian economy could become ess of conditionality that accession affords. At to accede to the EU in late 2010 or 2011. Tof the EU, but arguably none as much as a drag on the EU like Latvia is now. the release of the progress reports, Rehn spoke Latvia. The Baltic economy has nearly collapsed, of the EU’s transformative power; however, that he passage of the Lisbon Treaty in a referen- relying on EU and International Monetary Fund ther political examples further give rea- power is all but lost once a country becomes a Tdum in Ireland on Oct. 2 forecast favorably loans to stay afloat. Latvia’s employment rate Oson for comprehensive, lengthy accession member. Perhaps Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania on the candidate country’s ambitions. The treaty, has risen upwards of 17 percent and the econ- negotiations with Croatia. Latvia still suffers would be better off now if their applications designed to streamline the EU’s decision-mak- omy has shrunk by nearly 20 percent according from political corruption. The construction of were scrutinized more. ing process, prepares the bloc for enlargement. to The Economist. The real estate market has the Southern Bridge in Riga in 2008 certainly Although the Czech Republic’s president Vaclav crashed. Yet, politicians may exacerbate the de- raised some eyebrows, when its cost ballooned lthough neither Croatia’s economic nor po- Klaus has yet to sign off on the treaty (the last cline by clinging to their valued euro-peg and from a little over 100 million lats (€140 million) Alitical problems are as severe as some other country to do so), pressure is mounting from vacillating on loan commitments to the EU and to nearly 570 million (€803 million). A state European countries, being better than the worst much of the EU and within his own country. IMF. Despite urging from EU commissioner audit in March 2009 revealed that 27 million does not automatically qualify the country for for monetary affairs Joaquín Almunia, Latvia’s lats (€38 million) had simply been wasted. And admission. The Commission’s report should not celand, too, may boost Croatia’s bid. Olli Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has yet to Latvia is not the only offender; the European necessarily be seen as Croatia’s green light — it IRehn, the EU commissioner for enlargement, make necessary spending cuts. Thus, the expe- Commission released in July 2009 a scathing should be a yellow light. stated in January 2009 his preference for admit- rience has shown the EU is largely powerless in justice and home affairs report on Bulgaria and ting countries in groups rather than individu- pushing reforms in member states. Romania, which acceded in 2007, citing the two ally. Neither Turkey nor the former Yugoslav country’s problems with persistent government Republic of Macedonia, the two other official o its credit, Croatia has fared the financial corruption and organized crime. Now the EU candidate countries, is close to being ready for Tcrisis better than some of the EU’s own mem- struggles to address such corruption, except for admission. ber states due to sound monetary policy. However, trying to expose it. the crisis has revealed the country’s reliance of otwithstanding Croatia’s momentum, offi- foreign credit, up to 40 billion euros which is 90 he commission found some of the same is- Ncials in Brussels should be wary of speedy percent of its GDP, according to Reuters. Latvia, Tsues in its report on Croatia. Areas needing accessions, as previous enlargements have dem- too, relied on foreign credit during its boom years more intensive reforms in the Balkan country onstrated the value in a patient, rigorous vetting at the beginning of the 21st century. included judiciary and fundamental rights, 90 ¡ LITHUANIA ¡ LITHUANIA 91 ¡ Vija Pakalkaitė ¡ Vija Pakalkaitė

Vija Pakalkaitė is 28 years old and lives in Vilnius. She has been a professional journalist for more than 5 years. She Insolvency Tourism: Leave CVgraduated from the Journalism Institute at Vilnius Univer- sity in 2005. Since 2006, she has been working at the busi- The Homeland And Avoid Debt? ness daily newspaper Verslo žinios as a correspondent. Her main interests include energy and macroeconomics. Since 2005 to 2006 she has worked for the biggest news- ankruptcy and the law are proving to be prob- EU country. “We do not have a ‘natural person’ portal in Lithuania, Delfi, as a business reporter. Currently, Blematic issues for some Lithuanians. Given bankruptcy option in Lithuania in general. So, if Vija is the chairwoman and the president of the Business that the opportunity for a so-called ‘natural per- I were a lawyer in Lithuania, I would advise any Journalists’ Club in Lithuania. son’ (the term is a legal one) to go bankrupt has Lithuanian who goes bankrupt to go to Great not been legalised in Lithuania, Lithuanians op- Britain or Latvia, where bankruptcy of ‘natural pressed by debts can move to another EU country persons’ is legal. However, it is not enough to Summary: As Lithuania has not legalised the declaration of bankruptcy by a private and go bankrupt there. And the court decision leave. The regulation says that a bankruptcy case person burdened by debts, Lithuanians may move to other EU member states and would apply to debts incurred in Lithuania, ac- is initiated by the state court which is centrally declare bankruptcy there. The possibility to declare bankruptcy in another EU coun- cording to lawyers. If this theory becomes active located in relation to the debtor’s main property try is not only relevant to the residents that cannot repay their mortgage loans, but practice, politicians would be in a rush to enact interests”, says Mr. Norkus. Therefore, accord- also to the entrepreneurs who have personally guaranteed the success of their busi- the Law on Bankruptcy of Natural Persons. The ing to the lawyer, Lithuanian debtors should nesses. Lithuania has not created options to bankrupt for a private person, but this possibility of bankruptcy in another EU country move to another EU country “effectively”, i. e. to possibility is available in around 20 EU countries, including Lithuania’s neighbours, would become relevant not only to residents un- live there, and have an income and financial in- Latvia and Poland. This post-Enlargement opportunity has raised many questions in able to pay for apartments which have signifi- terests. They may declare themselves insolvent Lithuania and the wider EU that are explored in this report. cantly depreciated, but also to entrepreneurs who in that country (and it is not necessary to take have guaranteed their businesses personally, and out a loan, purportedly Lithuanian debts would have now been burnt. The news portal “Verslo suffice). After that the court may open insolven- Estimation of jury: Vija Pakalkaitė’s article is attractive first of all because it spe- žinios” published a story about Rūtenis Paukštė, cy proceedings, but the Lithuanian commercial cifically examines economic and social issues related to Lithuania’s EU membership. a shareholder of a bankrupt construction mate- bank concerned will need to address its claim The article looks at the implications for citizens of living in a new social, political and rials trading company UAB “Broksita”, who had to the proceedings started over there, but not economic area with new possibilities. The text is written professionally and more no business, and moreover owed the bank LTL in Lithuania. According to the lawyer, in the than one person is interviewed which adds a lot of important information to a rela- 16 million. The readers advised him to leave for case of a concluded ‘natural person’ bankruptcy tively short article. Great Britain, and after living for a year over case, Lithuanian courts would have no choice there, to go bankrupt as a ‘natural person’. They but to recognise that a ‘natural person’ has been say that “it is quite possible. EU law opens the declared bankrupt abroad and released from way”, explains Rimvydas Norkus, senior lecturer his debt there, or absolved by some other order. at Mykolas Romeris University, about the possi- “All banks operating in Lithuania would go to bility of a ‘natural person’ who is deeply in debt Great Britain, for example, in order to litigate. in Lithuania to go bankrupt in another EU coun- That would cost them much more”, explains try, and thus eventually be exempt from debt. Mr. Norkus. Tomas Rymeikis, a lawyer from law firm “Foigt ir partneriai/Regija Borenius”, ccording to the interviewee, the Regulation says that today a person who is confronted with Aenacted by the European Council in 2000 an underestimated or simply intolerable bur- enables Lithuanians to go bankrupt in another den of financial obligations, is forced to go into 92 ¡ LITHUANIA ¡ LITHUANIA 93 ¡ Vija Pakalkaitė ¡ Vija Pakalkaitė the so-called ‘shadow business’ if he still has ccording to Mantas Petkevičius, senior probably VAT for cars. When Latvia used to re- would attempt to address the issue of ‘natural the desire and opportunity to develop business Alawyer of legal firm “Sorainen”, a mere turn VAT on cars purchased on behalf of a com- persons’ bankruptcy at the earliest opportunity. in Lithuania. Or, alternatively, he can leave to temporary relocation of a Lithuanian citizen to pany, and Lithuania did not, many Lithuanians “If we saw the growing incentives to emigrate build a business in another country, where the live in another country should not constitute a took that opportunity in the neighbouring for this reason, this would be not only an incen- implementation of Lithuanian laws is very prob- sufficient cause for starting insolvency proceed- country. Whether this is good or bad is debat- tive for people to leave, but an incentive for the lematic. ings in that country. And the requirement that able. As far as the basis of the law is concerned, Government and Seimas to take faster decisions the state to which the bankrupt person relocates the bank does not comment upon the law; it than currently planned”, Mr. Žylius says. “If the possibility of bankruptcy has been es- should be deemed the centre of that person’s complies with it”, explained Rolandas Kajokas, tablished in Lithuania, depending on the regu- financial interests, needs to be determined in spokesperson of “Danske Bank”, in a written he Deputy Minister does not conceal the lations of the legislation act regulating such order to prevent the imposition of bankruptcy response. Rimantas Žylius, Deputy Minister of Tfact that if some precedents occur (and it bankruptcy, a person faced with this financial location. “It is irrefutable that some debtors Agriculture, states that in a few weeks, he will is distinctly possible that Lithuanian residents burden may be more motivated to do business may try to abuse the system. If, for example, submit a list of the working group responsible could easily go bankrupt in another EU country in Lithuania, avoid going into ‘the shadows’, they found a country where courts are liberally- for planning the insolvency concept to Prime and thus “write off” their Lithuanian debts) the and this way try over time to emerge ‘from minded in regard to the issue of determining the Minister Andrius Kubilius for approval. “A pro- banks’ arguments that the legalisation of ‘natural the pit’” adds Mr. Rymeikis. According to Mr. centre of a debtor’s main interests. For this rea- posal has been made to set up a working group persons’ bankruptcy in Lithuania would over- Norkus, moving is not enough. The possibil- son, creditors must be prepared to defend their consisting of the representatives of state insti- charge credits would be less significant. “Until ity for a ‘natural person’ to go bankrupt (and rights, and after receiving information about tutions, banks and employers. And representa- now, the banks used to say that their credit cost thus be discharged from debt eventually) is the debtor’s bankruptcy procedures in another tives defending consumers would be invited as does not include the probability that a ‘natural legal in Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium, country, they should not think that it does not experts. We are suggesting this partly because person’ can go bankrupt. If the claims that you Ireland, Greece, France, Italy, Luxembourg, affect their rights”, the lawyer warns. it would be manageable, and also in order not can go bankrupt abroad are correct, and it is Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, to limit the group to those who are simply bet- not even difficult to go bankrupt in another EU Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It is also le- t’s an analogous situation with VAT. Stasys ter at arguing or able to hire more lawyers”, country, then technically there is no difference gal in neighbouring Poland and Latvia, mean- IKropas, President of the Association of the Deputy Minister explained. If the Prime if bankruptcy for ‘natural persons’ exists or ing that moving far away is not necessary. Lithuanian Banks, is apparently unaware of Minister approves this proposal, the group will not”, Mr. Žylius adds. Currently, only legal enti- “However, the situation in relation to ‘natu- the possibility for a Lithuanian to go bankrupt start working, and, by the end of 2010, it will ties can go bankrupt in Lithuania. ‘Natural per- ral persons’ bankruptcy is different. In some abroad. As far as he knows, no such cases have formulate the concept and drafts which would sons’ must exercise their property obligations countries, only ‘natural persons’ engaged in yet occurred involving Lithuanian banks. “Why cover the insolvency of both legal and ‘natural till the end of their lives. The bankruptcy pro- business may go bankrupt. In others, ordinary do you think that the resident of one country persons’. So, whilst existing restructuring and ceedings involving Mr Paukštė’s company have consumers may also go bankrupt”, the law- can go bankrupt in another country? It seems bankruptcy procedures for legal entities are already started. He does not know how much he yer notes. The periods within which debts and to me that this is one of those dreams that may already being improved, those for ‘natural per- will personally owe the bank after it is over, but other conditions are “written off” for a ‘natural happen in the future, but so far neither the sons’ are simultaneously being considered. Mr. he feels that his personal debt will be calculated person’ who goes bankrupt are also different. legal means nor the opportunity to do so ex- Žylius estimates that the insolvency laws are in millions of Litas. “I think it is not just a theo- According to him, for example, even the legal ist”, Mr. Kropas comments. According to him, likely to be adopted no earlier than the second retical possibility, because you find yourself be- base in Germany, which allows a natural per- even if a person goes bankrupt in another EU half of 2011. He said he was unsure if it is pos- ing pushed into a corner. Those who create the son to go bankrupt, is not as favourable as that country, the debtor would have to redeem the sible to interpret EU law so that a Lithuanian laws should consider the position they put their in Spain. So in Germany, legal and consultancy obligations assumed in Lithuania, and a nega- citizen could go bankrupt in another EU coun- own active taxpayers in. After all, there is no service companies exist, which assist Germans tive credit history would also follow the debtor try, and thus “get a second chance”. However, other way. In what other way can you imagine in going bankrupt in Spain. to other EU countries. “The equivalent here is if it really increased emigration, the politicians my life going? I would consider that possibility 94 ¡ LITHUANIA ¡ LUXEMBOURG 95 ¡ Vija Pakalkaitė ¡ Célia Laherrere very seriously. And I am”, Mr. Paukštė replied, possible that some debtors may try to abuse Célia Laherrere is currently completing a Volontariat In- after he had been asked whether he would leave the law, if, for example, they found a country ternational en Entreprise in Luxembourg. She studied at Lithuania if he really could go bankrupt abroad where courts take the issue of determining the CVl’ISEG Bordeaux, where she passed a Bachelor in Com- as a natural person. Incidentally, Mr. Paukštė centre of a debtor’s main interests quite liber- munication and Marketing. Thereafter she attended Bor- has not touched rock bottom yet or packed his ally.” He elaborates further. “This does not deaux Business School for a post- master’s degree in Inter- luggage, but he is intending to establish an asso- mean that a Lithuanian citizen can simply go national Purchasing. She was trained at TF1 (Audiovisual ciation that would talk to banks about “the right to another country and start bankruptcy pro- Group) in 2009, and this experience cemented her interest banking”. Another businessman interviewed by cedures as a ‘natural person’. EU legislation in communications and strengthened her will to work in “VŽ”, who was the personal guarantor of a new stipulates that insolvency proceedings, in- the media sector. restaurant business, says that he still cannot volving the bankruptcy of a ‘natural person’, even draw his unemployment benefits. “This is should be instigated in the country which is the situation: I am both the shareholder and the the centre of the debtor’s main interests. This Summary: This report deals with the movements of patients and medical staff in Eu- director. The company is going bankrupt, and rule is intended to prevent the abuse and the rope. They have significantly increased between Eastern and Western Europe since I join the Lithuanian Labour Exchange. The choice of the bankruptcy location.” Rimantas the beginning of the 2000s. The enlargement of the European Union has played a Lithuanian Labour Exchange tells me to spec- Žylius, Deputy Minister of Agriculture says, “If part in this evolution, particularly after the entrance of Romania and Bulgaria in ify my account. I do, but the bank has claimed the claims that you can go bankrupt abroad are 2007. Nowadays, the “Medical Tourism” tends to rise in Eastern Europe, while doc- that I am obligated as a ‘natural person’, and correct, and it is not even difficult to go bank- tors from these countries are leaving to the West. Indeed, because of the high costs withdraws the money from all of my accounts.” rupt in another EU country, then technically of the medical care, a growing number of patients go to Romania or Hungary in That’s the experience recounted by Liutauras there is no difference whether bankruptcy for order to have surgery while North European countries are recruiting Romanian or Markevičius, the director of the bankrupt com- natural persons exists or not. It is difficult to Hungarian doctors as general practitioners are missing in the least attractive areas. pany UAB “Bar & Restaurant Consulting”, and predict the possible consequences, but it great- The case of Romania shows that this trend enables the growth of private clinics ded- one of the owners of the bankrupt “Marino” res- ly changes the context of everything. Then we icated to the foreign patients to the detriment of the welfare service which is facing taurant located in “Vilniaus vartai”. When the must see what banks will do when they under- a lack of medicine staff and financings. This demonstration finally underlines the company was going bankrupt, he repaid two- stand that a ‘natural person’s’ bankruptcy ex- irony of the situation, mainly caused by the malfunctions of both our Public Health thirds of the debt and sold his apartment, but ists.” Tomas Rymeikis, lawyer and partner at and our Educational Systems (which not “produce” enough medical practitioners). still owes one third. While Mr. Markevičius re- law firm “Foigt ir partneriai / Regija Borenius” Instead of solving the core problems, these movements are in fact exacerbating the solves his relationship with UAB “Investicijų ir says, “Most importantly; with some exceptions, difficulties. verslo garantijos“(INVEGA), which guaranteed according to the Regulation, each member of a part of the debt, the businessman cannot even the EU (including Lithuania) would have to withdraw unemployment benefits deposited automatically accept the decision of a British Estimation of jury: The article analyses in a very dialectic and realistic manner into his personal accounts. “The unemployment court taken in an insolvency case for a ‘natural the European reality. It underlines the opportunities but also the issues of mobility benefit is paid for no more than six months. I person’. Thus, if the debts of a ‘natural person’ and shows how some regions take advantage of human resources without frontiers have to pay phone bills, transportation, create a are “written off” in such a way, such a deci- while others suffer from the emigration process. A very positive aspect of the article new job placement or get employed. But now the sion would also be valid in Lithuania. Credit is its neutrality, which is based on a broad contextual analysis of the situation and bank calmly crosses everything”, complained institutions should have realised by now that, leads to the perspective of a well balanced win-win-situation. Mr. Markevičius. after entering the European Union, bankrupt- cies for ‘natural persons’ are not restricted to any EU countries have bankruptcy laws Lithuania alone, but can also be implemented Mfor ‘natural persons’. Mantas Petkevičius, in other countries.“ senior lawyer at “Sorainen” says, “It is not im- 96 ¡ LUXEMBOURG ¡ LUXEMBOURG 97 ¡ Célia Laherrere ¡ Célia Laherrere

My doctor speaks Romanian pital temporarily closed down its emergency Medicine without borders section due to a lack of medication and equip- he cases of France and Romania are a per- ment. At the same time, the hospital in the Tfect illustration of the “Medical Highway” Mehedinti region, in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Mobility within the European Union is not appearance of a “European Medical Highway” phenomenon. In France, Romanian doctors announced a total of 1.35 million lei in unpaid just restricted to blue collar workers or bank- linking Western Europe with Eastern Europe. make up about 12% of foreign practitioners in bills, as well as its inability to pay the salaries ers. It also applies to the medical field. But With the appearance of this route, profession- the profession. Since 1st January 2007, the date of its hospital staff. this freedom brings with it more than just als leave their countries of origin in order to of Romania’s entry into the European Union, advantages, as this portrait of the shortcom- practice, students look further afield to pur- the number of Romanian doctors registered in ost ironically, while Romanian doctors ings of medicine without borders illustrates. sue their studies abroad, and patients engage France has grown from 174 to nearly 1,000. Mare setting up in France, French stu- in what is euphemistically called ‘medical dents are leaving behind empty seats at their ay 17th will see the opening of the tourism’. hether through personal contacts, via universities and are pursuing medical studies MEuropean Summit dedicated to medi- Wtrade fairs or by using agencies, rural at Romanian universities. Victims of the mer- cal tourism – the Central and Eastern Europe The comings and goings of French districts have no trouble recruiting ciless demands of selection examinations (85% Medical Tourism and Healthcare Summit in caregivers and patients specialists and generalists. They are attracted fail after the first year), they leave France for Zagreb, Croatia. This is an opportunity for by the promise of salaries 10 or 15 times high- schools such as the university of Cluj in the countries such as Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, he United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, er than those in Romania, not to mention the heart of Transylvania, which has created a Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland to TNorway, Sweden, the Netherlands, additional benefits such as lodgings, day care, French course of study. In contrast with French attract the attention of travel agencies, medical Austria, France and Germany recruit doctors an office, relocation assistance and more. universities, the university of Cluj charges tui- associations, hospitals, and consultants from from eastern Europe to deal with the lack of tion fees (5,000 euros per year) and recruits around the world. general practitioners in rural or less attractive hat happens to the doctors once they based on written applications. They currently areas. These countries guarantee their adopted Whave settled in? The diagnosis is wor- host more than 260 French students. he role played by EU enlargement in practitioners a higher salary, and the prospect rying. Many encounter trouble adapting to a Tchanging medical behaviour and practices of better working conditions. new culture and environment, difficulty in Time for a check-up… within the European Union is undeniable. But communicating with patients, and problems the key question underlying the very existence hile doctors are leaving for the West, feeling isolated or lonely. Many attempts lead enerally, we emphasise the advantages of of such a summit is: to what extent can we im- Wan increasing number of students are to failure in the end. Gdeveloping exchanges between countries pute the dysfunctions of our medical systems travelling in the opposite direction to study by listing their economic, social and cultural to the EU? in Eastern Europe. And they are not the only ut even more disturbing is that the benefits – and in this case the medical advan- ones crossing borders. Western patients are BRomanian public health system is suf- tages as well. Simultaneously, we cannot limit he flow of intra-community migration has following in their tracks. Tired of waiting fering tremendously from the effects of this ourselves to listing only the positive effects. Tsurged in the past ten years and has ac- weeks for an appointment and unable to pay mass exodus. Romanian hospitals are short We cannot ignore the absurd and paradoxical celerated spectacularly since 1st January 2007, the high cost of medical treatment (particular- of doctors. The government has chosen to nature of a situation that highlights the imper- the date on which Romania and Bulgaria en- ly dental and eye care fees), today they turn to invest in private clinics for foreigners, which fections of national health systems. tered the Union. Freedom of movement, the private practices based in Romania, Hungary, further aggravates an already alarming situa- establishment of low-cost airlines, and the Poland or the Czech Republic. They no longer tion. There is not enough technical equipment simple look at each person’s initial moti- standardisation and recognition of medical even hesitate to pay for a flight to get dental or medication at public institutions due to a A vations clearly reveals the nature of the studies amongst member states have led to the implants or to have an eye operation. lack of finances. Last October, Brasov’s hos- problems. An Englishman goes to Hungary 98 ¡ LUXEMBOURG ¡ THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 99 ¡ Célia Laherrere ¡ Danica Tuntevska for treatment mainly because of the high cost ver in the east, governments are also try- Danica Tuntevska is a professional journalist at the daily of treatment in the UK. A Romanian general Oing to improve their public health sys- newspaper Dnevnik. Since 1 January 2004 she has been practitioner moves to France to escape bad tems. At the end of 2009 the Romanian govern- CVworking in different sections. Initially, she covered educa- working conditions and a ridiculously low sal- ment approved the allocation of an additional tion and now works for the economics section. She has ary. Finally, when French students leave Paris 3.2 billion lei in the budget specifically for the been involved in many investigative stories covering edu- for Budapest, it’s not because the medical national health insurance fund. The govern- cation and economy, has had a lot of professional train- course of study there is more comprehensive, ment is also promising a “serious reform of ings for journalists and is a member of the Association of but because finishing one’s course of study the health system and contributions”. It’s an journalists of Macedonia. (ZNM) in France virtually amounts to a fight to the ambitious project, but its exact shape is as yet death. difficult to discern. Summary: The eventual admission of the country into the European family will push his “Medical Highway” is not only a two- nd so changes will be a long time in com- to the surface the inability of the Macedonian authorities to finish the railway con- Tway street, but also a double-edged sword. Aing. As we wait, the “Medical Highway” nection to Bulgaria for over a decade. It brings immediate solutions to emergency still has its best days ahead of it. situations without really solving the root problem. Like a plaster, it stays on the surface of Estimation of jury: This article presents a crucial and attractive subject: One of deep wounds, which will continue to fester if the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s few unfinished connections with the they are not treated more thoroughly. neighbours, which is crucial for improved communication between people. The example of the absurd Balkans ties with Europe is presented in an engaged journalistic … and the prognosis article.

efore turning to European institutions, it Bis the responsibility of each state to reform its own health system. In Western Europe, countries such as Germany, the UK and France are putting measures into place which encourage students and doctors to stay in their own countries. In France, the reform voted in last year primarily aims to increase the ‘numerus clausus’ in regions where there is a lack of doctors. Initiatives are also being taken at the local level to attract young doctors – by setting up more health centres, for example. However, the majority of the proposals seem to resonate very little with the exasperated medical world. 100 ¡ THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA ¡ THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 101 ¡ Danica Tuntevska ¡ Danica Tuntevska

Ministry of Transport and Communications minutes. Two months ago the Danish authori- The Railway to Bulgaria stopped claim that they have applied for financing ties signed an agreement with Germany for the from the European Commission to provide for construction of a new 20 kilometre long bridge dead on its tracks a feasibility study regarding the Kumanovo- that will connect the two countries. The new Deve Bair section. it is estimated that the bridge will have four vehicle lanes and two construction of the railway line will cost EUR railway lines and it will be the longest bridge he accession of the country to the European close, yet far away our country is from be- 157 million, including damages payable to the in Europe. Tfamily ( EU) will bring to the surface the coming a part of the European family (EU). construction companies due to the termina- Macedonian authorities’ inability to complete “Even if the tracks are laid on the new marked tion of the work on the railway line five years Expenses gradually increase the Danica Tuntevska rail link to Bulgaria. A route, the existing railway will not be in use. ago. “If the application is approved, the study mere 89 kilometres of unfinished tracks are the Most of the metal bars were stolen to be sold is expected to be completed within six months. hen railway works began fifteen years reason why Macedonia and Bulgaria might go as scrap iron. Moreover, this bridge cannot Regarding the section extending from Kriva Wago, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, from the down in history as the only EU Member States hold the weight of a man, let alone that of a Palanka to Deve Bair, drafting of the main Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, who without a rail link. The Danica Tuntevska train,” said the villagers from Klechovce. Only project for the route is planned for the begin- was Prime Minister at the time, announced rail link is meant to be part of the important 2.5 kilometres of tracks are missing from the ning of the next year, and there should be an that the railway would be ready within one Corridor 8 reaching from the Bulgarian port Bulgarian side, and the Bulgarian authorities open competition for the preparation of draft year. Work has been interrupted several times of Burgas, via Skopje, to the town of Valona have stated that these 2.5 kilometres are the projects for bridges and tunnels, as well as for since then, and costs have multiplied. The in Albania. After 15 years of railway construc- smallest obstacle to the construction of the a feasibility study,” said representatives of the latest calculations show that from the initial tion, several route changes and an expendi- Corridor. Still, their priority is the construc- Ministry of Transport. According to previous $120 million, costs have spiralled upwards to ture of over one hundred million euros, our tion of the railway and road section extending statements from the responsible Ministry, the $336 million. Construction works were ter- country has so far only managed to mark out from the port of Burgas on the Black Sea to project was due to be completed in September, minated and postponed indefinitely, although a route for that part of the railway line extend- the Albanian town of Drach on the Adriatic but no answer has been given so far as to the $125 million had been invested in the railway ing to Kriva Palanka, and build several railway Sea. Money from European Union funds, as reason for the extension of the deadline ( but until then and around 45% of the railway had bridges which have already suffered damage. well as money provided from a public-private there is still no explanation for the extension already been built. The Macedonian construc- A dilapidated bridge on the river Pchinja, close partnership will be used for the completion of of the deadline) During the planning proc- tion company Beton sued the country’s au- to the village of Klechovce near Kumanovo, this project. “We have recently concluded sev- ess of every annual budget, the Macedonian thorities for EUR 2.4 million in damages for with its rotting wooden beams and sheet metal eral contracts for the successful functioning of Government allocates funds for finishing the price difference and lost profits. At that time, patches supporting metal tracks, was the last Corridor 8. Among other things, the sections railway to Bulgaria, but every year the funds the management board of the company said/ section of the “link to Europe” to be built.It Varna – Sofia and Burgas – Sofia are due to be are reallocated and that investment is set aside concluded that stopping the construction work still takes another 89 kilometres to complete repaired, and this will help increase the speed for better times. In contrast to the problems would be disastrous and that such a step would the rail link to Bulgaria. This situation hasn’t of trains. The Radomir-Kyustendil highway that the famous 89 kilometres are causing to raise the price of the project. changed for the past five years, ever since con- that will connect Bulgaria and Macedonia is in our country, the rest of the EU countries are struction works were halted and the railway the planning stage,” said representatives of the light years ahead. For example, Copenhagen construction machinery was withdrawn. No Railway Administration, the Bulgarian execu- in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden are con- plausible and detailed explanation was given tive agency. According to the estimates of the nected by a 16 kilometre long railway bridge for the abrupt change in plans, and the tracks Bulgarian authorities, the countries in the re- built over the Baltic Sea. The Oresund Bridge that were already in place were left to weath- gion are losing at least 1 billion Euros per year was opened in the year 2000, after four years er (wither and waste away) and waste away. due to the unfinished Corridor 8 transport of construction work. One can travel over the This unfinished railway track only shows how network. Representatives of the Macedonian bridge from Sweden to Denmark in about 20 102 ¡ MONTENEGRO ¡ MONTENEGRO 103 ¡ Mirela Rebronja ¡ Mirela Rebronja

Mirela Rebronja is 22 years old and lives in Podgorica. She is currently specialising in journalism at the Faculty of Politi- How to prepare for EU negotiations – CVcal Sciences at the University of Montenegro, where she has already completed a Bachelor degree. She gained her first Finding the right people for the job journalistic experience as RTCG reporter, and currently she is working as an online journalist, for the magazine European Pulse. Mirela is also active as a programme associate at the t this point in time, the Montenegro he government is extremely optimistic NGO Centre for Civic Education. AGovernment is not too preoccupied with Tabout the possibility that the EU Council the question when and how it will form a team could, at the end of the year, grant Montenegro for negotiations with the European Union and candidate status and set the starting date for Summary: This article focuses on the formation and establishment of teams for the working group for preparing negotiations, negotiations. Montenegro’s negotiations with the EU. This process is a very important step which because they are focussing on consultations Montenegro has to take on its path to EU accession. However, as work on the con- with Brussels regarding answers to the ques- n such a case scenario and judging by the stitution of the negotiating teams has not yet begun the idea of this article was to tionnaire of the European Commission (EC) Iexperiences of other countries, formal nego- show how important it is that the negotiation team consists of administrators, civil and the preparation of a new National Plan tiations between Montenegro and the EU could society representatives, business representatives and other key experts to best pro- Integration (NPI) for Montenegro into the EU, begin in the middle of next year. Determined tect and represent the interests of the country, but also to draw on experiences and but they do have specific plans on this issue. by the overall political and economic develop- recommendations from neighbour countries, that have already gone through the ment of Montenegro in the future to a con- negotiation process. ccording to the Minister for European siderable extent, accession negotiations are of AIntegration, Gordana Đurović, the forma- considerable importance for all its citizens. tion of the official team could take place at the Estimation of jury: The jury found that this report is excellently structured and main- earliest in the second half of the current year, his requires the inclusion of a signifi- tains a strong focus on the outlined subject, while showing an impressive depth of as the EC announced that it will give opinions Tcantly higher number of people from journalistic experience and writing skills. on the application of Montenegro for member- various professions than those engaged thus ship in the EU in fall. far. Bargaining structures composed of the administration, representatives of civil soci- “However, given that this is a quite demand- ety, business associations need to first define ing process, the plan of activities will be pre- the bargaining position of Montenegro, which pared earlier, and the end of these activities should protect the interests of the state in the depends on the start of the negotiation date”, best way. Then comes the negotiation team said Đurovic for “Evropski puls”. which “fights the battle” against the EU institutions and member states. f Montenegro receives a positive opin- Iion from the EC, perhaps in September or “The reason why Montenegro has not yet es- October, the next step on its path to Europe tablished negotiating teams is its current fo- would be to gain candidate status, and a date cus on the consultation process for the EC for negotiations. questionnaire and preparation of the new NPI for the period 2010–2014. This means that we must thoroughly learn the Acquis and reason- 104 ¡ MONTENEGRO ¡ MONTENEGRO 105 ¡ Mirela Rebronja ¡ Mirela Rebronja ably estimate how much of our legislation is sphere of social policy, the environment, but ccording to Sekerinsk, one should first de- ust three days before that date, the presidents in agreement with the EU and to make a clear also energy and regional development”, stated Acide who will be the chief negotiator and Jof the parliamentary parties had agreed with plan to achieve until 2014 a satisfactory level Đurović. minister, who will head the negotiation proc- Prime Minister Ivo Sanader on the names of of compliance of our legislation with the EU, ess, and then entrust the mandate to choose the 13 members of the negotiating team for and define the people and the budget neces- acedonia, like Croatia and Slovenia, the best and most professional members of the negotiations with the EU. sary for EU integration,” said Đurović. Mstarted to form a negotiating team and negotiating teams. “In Macedonian working working groups after receiving the Avis, but groups, the participation of representatives ppointed as t h e head of the negotiat- urther course of events, according to her, they never actually entered the field because from civil society and business associations is Aing team was Minister of Foreign Affairs Fcan already be established and defined. Skopje officials have been waiting for over four included, so that their interests are respected”, and European Integration Kolinda Grabar- years for the start date of access negotiations, said Sekerinska. Kitarović and Vladimir Drobnjak, non-parti- he added that “based on good experiences largely because of the dispute with Greece re- san politician and longtime diplomat, a chief Swith the organisation of work around the garding the name of the state. ue to bad experiences with Bulgaria and negotiator. “Only the expertise and profession- questionnaire, the government should use the DRomania, negotiations with Croatia’s alism, and surely not party affiliation were de- same model to define the future structure of ormer Vice Prime Minister of Macedonia, most difficult chapters, such as justice and hu- cisive in determining the negotiators for rela- the negotiation.” Fcurrently the Vice President of Parliament, man rights, the EU has left them for the end. tions with the European Union,” among other Radmila Sekerinska, stated in an interview things, said Sanader at the presentation of the ven in Montenegro, according to current with “European Puls” that the bargaining egotiations begin with “easy chapters” – negotiating team. Eplans, t h e g overnment will form negoti- structure should be formed as soon as possible Neducation and culture, and science and ating teams. First, the head of the Montenegrin if the aim is to receive opinions and candidate research. Therefore, we must review what our he negotiating team is in charge of pro- delegation is determined, then the chief nego- status simultaneously. levels of education are, how conform our laws Tfessional and technical level talks with tiator, and possibly his/her deputies. are with the laws of the EU, whether there is EU institutions and member states on all 35 n the matter of the question of structure and corruption, etc. chapters. The team members are responsible, urović said that the composition of the Icomposition of teams, she explained that the among other things, for the coordination of Đnegotiating team, on the basis of previous same criteria applied in the other countries in Croatian experience the specific work groups which will prepare experience, includes experts in certain areas, the region apply to Macedonia as well. “I think the negotiations on the numerous chapters – mostly from government, but can also be local that it’s not so important to meet some formal he European Commission adopted a 35 in total. experts specialised in particular policies. rules of membership, in the sense to have rep- Tpositive Opinion in March 2004 on the resentatives of all interested parties, regard- Croatian application for membership in the orking groups , which are quite im- urović noted that according to past ex- less of quality. The best solution is to elect the European Union, the so-called Avis, and pro- Wportant, participate and make a key Đperience, a negotiating team should not most qualified individuals, depending on the posed the initiation of accession negotiations. contribution to the drafting of t h e proposed include more than 15 people. “In this initial areas of their work”, said Sekerinska. negotiating positions of Croatia. Working phase, in order to improve efficiency, the com- n June of the same year, the EU Council group members include representatives of position of seven groups for European integra- ekerinska added that during the formation Iawarded the status of candidate country to universities, scientific institutes, trade unions, tion will be redefined, which already cover the Sof negotiatopn structures, the most promi- Croatia, with the conclusion that in December Croatian businesses, various associations and area of trade, industry, agriculture, transport, nent representatives of the various fields have a date wouldl be set to start accession nego- federations. economic and financial matters, as well as the primarily been considered. tiations. It was expected that the negotiations would begin in March 2005. 106 ¡ MONTENEGRO ¡ THE NETHERLANDS 107 ¡ Mirela Rebronja ¡ Sarah Haaij

he number of members varies from group Sarah Haaij Last summer Sarah graduated from the Uni- Tto group. Thus, for example, the Croatian versity of Amsterdam in International Relations and Inter- working group for negotiations on agriculture CVnational Organizations. During her bachelor studies in Gro- and rural development has 385 members, while ningen she worked as a reporter at the university magazine. those for education and research have 25. She spent her third year of studies as an Erasmus student in Berlin. After graduating Sarah completed an editorial in- Use the people who worked on the ternship at OneWorld.nl. and reported about international Questionnaire development and environmental issues. Last year she as- sisted on a documentary film production on the transfor- ekerinska stated that in Macedonia, the mation of Albania. Right now she is in Moldova working as Sselection of people who participated in the a volunteer in the areas civil society and civil journalism in negotiation team and group for negotiations Moldova. took place much earlier, because their composition does not differ much from the group who worked on the questionnaire responses. Summary: Eighteen years have passed since 1992, the year when Albania opened its borders to visitors after more than forty years of communist rule. Despite its beauti- his, according to her opinion, is a very ful scenery, quiet beaches and friendly population, not many visitors have yet made Tbeneficial practice because they are people their way to this small, undiscovered country. The reason for this lack of interest is, who have already undergone training, worked according to the younger generation in Albania, quite obvious. In their view it is the on a given topic and undergone intensive negative image-building or rather a complete lack of image-building in Western Eu- months of hard work. ropean countries that prevent travellers from visiting Albania. The image of Albania as a ‘gangster country’, filled with thugs and stolen Mercedes is often heard and rein- “In principle, the composition of the forced, even at the highest levels. However, change seems to be on the way now that Macedonian negotiating teams included the more and more people are discovering the attractive power of Albania’s symbols of men from the administration because, as I faded communism. Thousands of bunkers, the heritage of Envier Hoxha’s commu- already mentioned, the working group that nist rule, mark the landscape of this country. The young generation, for whom the worked on the questionnaire actually evolved history of these bunkers is already ancient, are finding practical and creative ways into the negotiating teams,” said Sekerinska. to give these initial war symbols a second life.

Estimation of jury: The Dutch jury has selected a winner whose story reveals her to be a true diamond in the rough. The jury believes this author’s contribution shows great promise. Not only did she put considerable effort into her research by travelling to the country on which she wrote her story, but she touched the essence of the EYJA, by writing on European enlargement in a fresh and engaging manner. The author showed the ability to find a creative new approach to a subject which has been covered by many before her. 108 ¡ THE NETHERLANDS ¡ THE NETHERLANDS 109 ¡ Sarah Haaij ¡ Sarah Haaij

o prove the brilliance and strength of his bunkers here have been transformed into col- The imaginary enemy Tplan, Hoxha made those who were in charge ourful beach bars and coffee houses. Kujtim, of the programme personally test the bunkers: now 44 years old, is one of the first people who high army officials had to remain inside whilst came up with the idea to build a ‘bunker-bar’. Hoxha’s bunkers remind Albanian’s of the However none of these new vocations reflect the under attack. The former Colonel now speaks By 1993 he had already moved into a small 5 destructive paranoia of their recent past. But bunkers initial, less innocent purpose. with some aversion when he recalls these stories. person-bunker, and opened its concrete doors they are being re-used and rediscovered by “In the beginning we were all proud and enthu- for visitors. Today his project has grown into a a generation for whom that history is now fter ending all official relations with the siastic about this giant project, but as more bun- lucrative hotel and restaurant. The initial bun- ancient ASoviet Union in 1961 and pulling out of the kers were produced and people became poorer, ker is now subsumed by a larger dome-shaped Warsaw Pact in 1968 after the Soviet invasion many of us silently began to doubt the useful- construction which is used as both a wine cellar ighteen years have passed since 1992, the of Czechoslovakia, Albania became one of the ness of this defence strategy. While we suffered and a Raki distillery. Eyear when Albania opened its borders to most isolated communist countries of the 20th from a sincere housing shortage, with three visitors after more than forty years of commu- century. Relations were only maintained with families sharing an apartment being unexcep- ust like Julian, Kujtim believes that sooner or nist dictatorship. However, the negative image Maoist China, and until 1978 Albania received tional, all our concrete, iron and manpower was Jlater western Europeans will find their way constructed in the west of Albania as ‘gangster some military and financial support from the directed at the production of bunkers. And what to Albania’s beaches and bunkers. In his opin- country’, filled with thugs and stolen Mercedes, communist giant. In this isolated position a for? An enemy that never came.” ion all that stands in the way is negative image still prevents many from visiting. This image siege mentality was bound to develop, which fed building in the West, or as NGO worker Boykan is often reinforced at the highest levels, for ex- dictator Enver Hoxha’s unceasing paranoia sur- t is now seventeen years since Albanians argues, a complete lack of any image building. ample in 2007 when George W Bush visited the rounding a possible invasion. Acting under fear Ichose a democratic government, and still the It was only two years ago that a German tour- country. Welcomed by an enthusiastically cheer- of attack from imperialist America, the Soviet bunkers are there, waiting. Since they were built ist visited Kujtim’s bunker hotel equipped with ing crowd, the President quickly slipped his val- Union, Tito’s Yugoslavia, and many other loca- to be indestructible, and are deeply embed- a gaslight, convinced that electricity had not yet uable watch into his pocket. For days European tions, including Greece, Hoxha decided to enact ded in the ground, it proves both difficult and reached the cities of Albania. headlines concerned themselves with the un- one of the most bizarre defence strategies in his- costly to remove them. In this situation, a new solved mystery of the President’s stolen watch. tory: the complete “bunkerisation” of Albania. approach has taken hold in Albania, and many onsidering Albania’s recent accession to This incident is often recounted in Albania in a of the younger Albanians in the numerous bars CNATO membership, and the present Prime sense of humourous, warm self-mockery. ccording to ‘Shuaip’, a former Colonel and of Tirana state that it would be better to recycle Minister’s fixation on EU membership, the Adefence professor at the Military Academy in them, rather than attempting to remove them, country’s image will likely experience a posi- hose who do cross the Albanian border, for Tirana, the bunker mission was top-secret. Only as advocated in the 1990s. According to Julian, tive boost. Bunker-shaped marble ashtrays are Twhatever odd reason, will probably find, those loyal to the Albanian army were involved in a 28 year old soldier, the bunkers have the abil- among souvenirs already being sold on the besides the aforementioned stolen Mercedes, a the construction of more than 750,000 bunkers. ity to be transformed into Albania’s own unique streets of Tirana. And if Julian and Kujtim are beautiful country, filled with wide quiet beach- To keep the Albanians safe from ‘the enemy’ there symbol of faded communism, in a way similar right, it will not be long before tourists from es, rough mountains, and disarmingly friendly had to be a bunker for each family, which worked to the symbolism and tourist-magnetism of western Europe will leave Mother Theresa and helpful people. Most strikingly, the acci- out as a bunker for every five persons. The shel- the Berlin Wall in Berlin. In Julian’s vision it is Airport with a small piece of framed bunker dental tourist will find thousands of small con- ters were placed in strategic defence lines, circled only a matter of time and improvements in in- wall in their luggage. Travelling throughout crete bunkers spread throughout the country; along the border and from there moving inwards frastructure before more tourists will find their the country, the younger generation seems to in backyards, along the shores of the sea, it the towards the centre of the country. “Every square way to the photogenic shelters. have found a way to transform the remnants of middle of sidewalks and even in the most de- kilometre had to be bunkerised”, Shuaip recalled, Albania’s dark isolated and history into some- serted mountain areas. Today the bunkers serve whilst drawing out the plan on a piece of paper. alking along the coast of harbour city of thing new and positive, and with that, finally all kinds of practical and creative purposes, as Therefore bunkers can be found even in the most WDurrës, it seems that the former defence created a justification for the bunkers existence. hay barns, public toilets, or even as small bars. remote areas of the country. shelters do have potential tourist appeal. Several 110 ¡ POLAND ¡ POLAND 111 ¡ Monika Stefanek ¡ Monika Stefanek

Monika Stefanek was born In 1978 in Szczecin, Poland. She studied Polish Philology and Marketing at The Szc- Changes are Coming in the West CCVzecinV University. She worked as a journalist for a regional newspaper Glos Szczecinski from 2002 until 2009. Since the beginning of her career as a journalist she has worked his coming Sunday will most certainly go he main blot on the landscape for the right- on the subject of the Polish-German borderland and Tdown in history. For the first time Poles liv- Twing extremists are the Poles, who since Polish-German affairs. Currently she is a grant holder of ing in the border district of Uecker-Randow are joining the European Union have been buying the European Journalism Fellowships at The Freie Univer- standing in the German local elections. What up many old homes deserted by Germans, do- sität in Berlin. She also works as a freelancer for Polish and for some is an example of successful integration ing them up and moving in. In the border dis- German media. is arousing anti-Polish reactions in others. trict of Uecker-Randow there are already over a thousand Poles living there and in Loecknitz arosław Wieczorek, a 42-year old business- there are over 230 from a population of three Summary: This article tells a story of Poles who settled in the border district of Ueck- Jman from Poznań, already has his foot- thousand. er-Randow in Germany after Poland joined the European Union. Three of them de- note in the history of Uecker-Randow. As the cided to take part in the local political election campaign in June 2009. There were first Pole in the district, he invested in a fac- he closer you get to town, the more post- varied reactions to their participation from local people. The German Neonazi party tory specialising in tools used to manufacture Ters there are of the NPD, popularly known NPD in return started an anti-Polish smear campaign. cars. Three Poles and twelve Germans work as the “Brownshirt party”. In the town itself in the plant opened in 2006. Now Wieczorek there are not many lampposts or pillars that has the chance to become the first Pole to be don’t have red and black boards with cam- Estimation of jury: Monika Stefanek’s article is timeless and understandable for all. elected on the Uecker-Randow district coun- paign slogans hanging from them. The street It shows how the borders are disappearing and presents the challenges this process cil. He wants to help other business people in front of the Polish-German High School creates. Although it describes a local problem, it additionally highlights a pan-Euro- from Poland who are planning on starting a in Loecknitz is awash with campaign posters pean issue, which is relevant no matter where you live in the EU. It is written in a very business in the border district. “There are still which don’t leave much doubt as to who they good journalistic style and catches the reader’s attention through the presentation plenty of people here who don’t want to accept are directed against. Throughout the town, no of personal stories and the individual opinions of true characters. that Poles are investing in this region and cre- other party is as visible. ating new jobs,” says the candidate for the district council from the “Wir in Pasewalk” (We Quiet polonisation in Pasewalk) party. “Loecknitz must remain German!” and “The Brownshirt Propaganda Quiet Polonisation of Pomerania” – these are just some of the slogans to be found on the here’s no doubt here, what the main issue NPD website. Tin this election is. Just a few hundred metres after crossing the Polish-German border ino Mueller, the local NPD boss recently in Lubieszyn the place is covered in campaign Tclaimed: “No-one can guarantee today posters of the neo-Nazi NPD party, which has that if this goes on, in the future the whole won significant support in the area in recent district will be annexed to Poland,” years. “A Secure Border against Criminals” and “Jobs Instead of Immigrants”- are just a n the Loecknitz local council elections, the few of their slogans. Inationalists have put forward seven candi- 112 ¡ POLAND ¡ POLAND 113 ¡ Monika Stefanek ¡ Monika Stefanek dates, with one of them standing for mayor. are registered on the German side” There are Werth. “There were insults and abuse directed election, although unofficially this may not There is plenty of support in border areas for cases of parents being threatened with punish- against us. I think these things come from the be the case. Some party activists didn’t agree the NPD and many people are worried about a ment or the police for not fulfilling the obli- way some people have been raised. Many peo- with increasing the number of Poles standing repeat of last autumn’s Brandenburg local elec- gation of schooling a child in Germany. After ple imagined that things would be better after for election because they thought it would lose tions, in which Wollin, just a short drive from moving to Germany, their children were still Germany reunified. This led to disappoint- them a lot of votes. Loecknitz, achieved the ignominious record of going to school in Szczecin. I want that when ment and frustration in addition to bitterness giving the nationalists 34 percent of the vote. my son goes to school, he has a choice and is and now everyone is taking a particular inter- Who will vote for the Poles? not forced to go to a certain school”. est in the Poles living here. We don’t get any “NPD slogans don’t make us aggressive, but more help than the Germans. It’s just that peo- he Polish candidates still have a chance they do arouse emotions,” admits Katarzyna She wants to start a club ple weren’t prepared for such a large number Tof winning even though their campaigns Werth, one of two Polish candidates to of Poles coming here in such a short time.” are almost invisible. The votes of other Poles Loecknitz council. “We see these posters eve- orota Siuda-Pankau is also working to- living in Loecknitz and the surrounding area rywhere. However, we try not to give that par- Dwards Polish-German integration, specif- The mayor has lost popularity would be enough to secure council seats. Many ty’s supporters any reason to attack us.” ically amongst children. The 36-year old nurs- Poles, however, don’t realise that they have the ery school teacher and mother of three moved unday’s election will be a moment of same voting rights as Germans. There are also atarzyna Werth, originally from the from Szczecin to Loecknitz three years ago. Struth for Loecknitz’s mayor. It was Lothar those who don’t want to vote. “I don’t know if Ktown – Police, is the only candidate Although politically she is independent, she’s Meistring from the DieLinke (Left) party who it’s a good idea for Poles to run in elections,” on her party’s list. The Pomeraniak Polish- campaigning under the CDU banner. “I never came up with the idea of renting and selling a man told me who moved to Loecknitz from German Association, to which she belongs, planned on standing for election,” she admits. empty flats to Poles after Poland joined the Szczecin two years ago. He prefers to remain recognised her as being a model of integration. “People from CDU, who liked my idea, asked European Union. He felt that inviting the anonymous. “I am concerned that it could sow The 29-year old candidate’s life story is almost me to stand. I want to set up a Polish-German neighbours from across the border would liven anti-Polish sentiment. Also, I haven’t heard totally bound up with the region. Werth was club for children. I’ve been thinking about it up the town. He wasn’t wrong. Thanks to the any concrete details from our candidates. Why among the first intake to the Polish-German since I moved here”. It’s supposed to be a place Poles it wasn’t necessary to demolish empty should I vote for them? Just because they are High School in Loecknitz; she went to college where children from Loecknitz can play and blocks of flats, and Loecknitz was only one of a Poles?” Beata Wasser, a Polish woman living in in Stralsund and worked as a manager on the do their homework together. “I’d like it to be a few towns in eastern Germany to record an in- Pasewalk, is also sceptical about the elections. creation of the Regional Centre for Polish- meeting place for parents as well,” says Dorota crease in its population. The increase has been “I don’t think the Germans have completely German Cooperation in Agriculture. She is Siuda-Pankau. “At the moment there isn’t any so great that the town is in urgent need of a got used to us being here, what to speak about also married to a German – a doctor from after-school club here.” second nursery school. Today, Poles constitute us running in the elections,” she says. “It’s a Loecknitz. nearly 15% of the town’s inhabitants. It might bit too early for that type of thing for me.” The More Poles turn out that the mayor will pay for his lik- German parents-in-law of Katarzyna Werth he Germans left “I’ve known this area for a ing of Poles with a loss of votes and not being also don’t believe in Polish unity. “They sup- Tlong time and I know the mentality of the oth candidates admit that life is good for elected. “It’s true, I heard that some Germans port the idea itself, but they don’t believe that people who live here,” says Katarzyna Werth. Bthem in Loecknitz, they say the area of- don’t like the mayor because he has a positive the Poles will make the effort themselves to go “A lot of my German friends from school have fers “Peace and quiet, with a forest and lake attitude towards us,” says Katarzyna Werth. to the polling stations and vote for their own left the region. I can see an opportunity here nearby”. They don’t feel any anti-Polish senti- people,” says the candidate. A lot of Germans for myself. There are a lot of problems to solve. ment on a daily basis, but they know that there t the beginning, at least six Poles were go- don’t even know that there are Poles run- Many of them only came to light after Poland is no shortage of Germans who are not happy Aing to stand for election. Over time some ning in the election. “How are they going to joined the European Union”. “An ongoing about the presence of such a large number of of them dropped out, although Detlef Ebert, do that?” asks an astonished employee at the problem that has not been resolved is the issue Poles. “In the 1990s, when I went to school head of CDU in Loecknitz, says that he would Bulgarian-German restaurant called Wanja of sending children to school in Poland if they here it also wasn’t easy,” recalls Katarzyna like to see more Poles in his party standing for in Loecknitz, who doesn’t wish to identify 114 ¡ POLAND ¡ PORTUGAL 115 ¡ Monika Stefanek ¡ Maria João Guimarães herself. “Of course I don’t support them. Let orota Siuda-Pankau, a nursery school Maria João Guimarães has been working as a journalist them live here, but they shouldn’t get involved Dteacher by profession, privately a mother since 1998 at the Portuguese daily newspaper Público. She in government”. Iwanka Siegert, a Bulgarian of three, is dreaming about opening a club CVhas mostly written about foreign affairs. She has report- who owns the restaurant, is of a similar opin- for Polish and German children in Loecknitz. ed from Israel and the Palestinian territories, covered the ion. She is as disdaining of the Poles as her Running in the local council elections will American elections in 2008, the German elections in 2009 employee is and these responses are not iso- help her achieve these plans. and has been a member of teams that covered European lated. Since nine cars with Polish registrations affairs such as the Portuguese presidency of the EU (2006) were vandalised six months ago in the town, “A Secure Border against Criminals” (photo), and the elections for the European Parliament (2009). the subject has become particularly sensitive. “Protection of the fatherland and culture”, Many Germans are worried that if they speak “Work instead of Immigrants” – these are the out they will be pigeon-holed as NPD support- slogans of the neo-Nazi NPD party. Its cam- Summary: This article was based on interviews with three generations of Germans ers. “I don’t plan on voting for anyone,” states paign posters can be seen everywhere in the from both sides of the country – the former German Democratic Republic and the Siegert categorically. Not for a Pole and not for Uecker-Randow district. Federal Republic of Germany: two 20 year old Germans from Berlin, one from the a German. No-one is going to get their snout in eastern part of the city and the other from the west, two 40 year olds, one from West the trough thanks to my vote. “Of course Poles Berlin and the other from Leipzig, and finally two 60 year olds, two cousins that were come to the restaurant. At weekends there are separated until the reunification. The article attempts to understand how Germans more of them than there are Germans and I’m born in the year the wall fell see the country, whether they feel in any way different happy about that. But I don’t have to vote for than the “other side”, and then compare this with how the older generations lived anyone.” through the time of separation.

“Nothing about us, without us” is the election slogan of Katarzyna Werth (left, a 29-year old Estimation of jury: The article shows an original and creative vision of two faces Polish woman living in Loecknitz. She wants of Germany in their political, social and cultural dimensions. Through impressive re- her son to be able to choose between a Polish ports of different actors, Maria João Guimarães gives the reader an involved look, and German school. reporting what she sees and tries to understand, without taking sides. 116 ¡ PORTUGAL ¡ PORTUGAL 117 ¡ Maria João Guimarães ¡ Maria João Guimarães

former German Democratic Republic (GDR), took prohibited western music cassette-tapes The fall seen from both sides you can tell. It has no style.” He points towards hidden inside cake boxes. “We used to have a another, modern and painted green. “See the ritual at the border crossings: we would switch difference?” off our engines and provoke the guards with ifferent generations, from East and West, not of plastic. And I was reminded of a play by Western music that we were not allowed to take Dlook back at the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 Heiner Müller that spoke of poverty without oralf Kessler didn’t like capitalism but nei- to the East. There was a kind of techno-disco years ago. The youngest, 20 year old Florian dignity. I felt ashamed of my people.” Toralf, Tther could he tolerate the communism of atmosphere at the frontier but we followed the and Theresa, don’t think of themselves in a communications contractor, didn’t even go the GDR. Of course, he says, this was at a time rules as far as everything else was concerned. terms of which side they were born on. Toralf, to collect his “welcome money” – 100 marks when he wasn’t all that politically aware: “We We were afraid of not being able to carry on aged 40 years, feels privileged having been able that the then West German government was didn’t know we needed a democracy because entering the East if we didn’t. But today I feel to try out utopia, while Torsten feels that be- offering all East Germans on their first cross- we didn’t know how a democracy functioned. bad because I could have protested more – me, ing in the West put him on the easier side of ing into the West (a decision he later regretted We just wanted to do more: to travel and be who had less to lose,” confides Torsten. And history. Two cousins in their sixties who come a little when he passed a Turkish takeaway and able to talk freely, not to live in fear…” he asks himself: “How could I possibly know from a divided family tell their radically dif- wanted to try a kebab but realised he didn’t how I would have behaved on the other side? ferent life stories: Regine talks about a regime have the money). oralf was living in a small town close to What might I have been prepared to do for a controlling its citizens from the cradle to the TLeipzig and ended up deciding to join few privileges? Or might I have stood up for grave, while Christiane describes how living in rom the other side, Torsten Löhn, a pro- the Army before going on to study medicine myself, without a job and suffered hardships?” the free city meant being surrounded by walls. Fducer little older than Kessler, went to East (“In the GDR if you wanted to study, first you Berlin, against the tide that was heading east- had to give something to society”). He joined orsten feels he was on the easier side of his- The light and the smell of the East west. “The first thing that I noticed was the the Army in the autumn of 1988. “When the Ttory. “I did not have to change who I was light, a yellowish-green light. And there was peaceful revolution started I was on the wrong when the reunification happened,” he stresses. Toralf Kessler: Aged 40 also a smell, a smell which should have been side,” he laments. “Even today this is still “People from the East had to change nearly put in a museum but wasn’t, which I think is something I argue about with my parents.” everything. They had to put comradeship be- Torsten Löhn: Aged 44 unfortunate. There are various theories about hind them in order to fit in with a new model the origin of this smell so typical of the East is parents, doctors, “were typical East of society. And even then not all of them had oralf Kessler, aged 40 and from the East, but people think that it was from a liquid HGerman citizens: living in their own pri- an answer to the questions they faced about Tfelt lost when the Wall came down. Not disinfectant. vate world and not causing trouble,” he says. their new identity, having not been able to be because he liked the Communist regime – he “At times I still wonder if it was the best up- themselves over a period of 40 years.” had even planned on fleeing. What he couldn’t “Never having been able to go before, Toralf bringing that they gave me.” do however was get excited about capitalism, Kessler went to West Berlin for the first time o Toralf’s surprise, many from the East even though until the fall it had been his idea when the Wall fell. Torsten Löhn had been “I don’t think that people should talk too much Tadapted well: “They saw an opportunity of the promised land, even though he had been able to go to East Berlin. But he tended not about what the East Germans did or did not and they changed. Some, the majority, changed “spying through the keyhole”, sneaking a look to. “When I look back I’m ashamed of hav- put up with, what they didn’t fight for,” says a lot and quickly. Two months earlier they at Western television programmes. ing gone there so few times,” he says from a Torsten Löhn, who, from a western perspec- were calling socialism the strongest thing in street cafe in Prenzlauer Berg, the coolest tive, now asks himself similar questions. What the world and then just a little later they were “Arriving in Berlin I saw my people, the peo- neighbourhood of the old East. “Going to the prompts him to do this are recollections of his selling West German life insurance policies.” ple from the East, coming from the West East was like travelling in time.” He looks at a “missions” to see family in the East: visiting But clearly, “these were very interesting times weighed down with plastic carrier-bags – in concrete lamppost, coarse, brutish, all angles relatives and bringing them presents from his and times of rapid change and we needed to the East the bags were made of cloth or paper, and hard lines. “This is from the time of the side, sometimes covertly, like the time when he find a new way of life for ourselves.” 118 ¡ PORTUGAL ¡ PORTUGAL 119 ¡ Maria João Guimarães ¡ Maria João Guimarães

oralf doesn’t speak about identity, but he as I was going to town anyway, he asked me to The reunion of a divided family tion). We didn’t conform,” she says. Aged 13, Tdoes say that having lived in the GDR change a 100 mark note for him. I was scared her political awakening followed with the im- throughout the first 20 years of his life left its stiff that I might lose that money – I’d never Regine Marquardt: Aged 60 prisonment of her father and brother when her mark: “We were not used to having choices. had so much in my hands.” brother tried to run away to the west the help One day after the reunification I was in a book Christiane Trabant: Aged 64 of their father. “It was a day impossible to de- shop in Weimar, where I lived for a while , and ut later, after the fall of the Wall and scribe.” They were held in jail for two years. I wanted a book by Heinrich Böll. But when I Bwhile spending some time in Berlin he hristiane Trabant and Regine Marquardt went into the bookshop, there wasn’t just one got to know some other kinds of Wessis (West Care cousins, but have only known each ater in life Regine had her own family and book, there were seven. I found myself not Germans): “It was very interesting to see how other for the last 20 years. Christiane is from Lsaw her children suffer similarly. They were knowing what to do and left empty-handed, many different types of people there were in Hamburg but for nearly all of her life has her constant preoccupation. “We were always extremely downcast because I hadn’t managed this system because, in ours, we were all very lived in Berlin. Regine is from Schwerin, in organising our life so that, in case we were ever to deal with the situation.” similar.” Toralf did not like the attitude of Mecklenburg, a northern federal state and the imprisoned, our children would have people to some of those from West Berlin when they geographical reach between them was accen- stay with.” But Regine – who talks of a certain orsten, of course, knew people from the turned up in the East: “They came to the East tuated by the division of the two Germanys. “schizophrenia” for being politically to the left TEast – he had family there. But he remem- as tourists and they were pointing: look at The two cousins lived through the fall of the and at the same time being opposed to a re- bers when he made contact for the first time these things that they use, see this poverty… Wall but their two stories couldn’t be more gime created “against fascism” – only came to with Ossis (East Germans) of his own age. that was bad, even if the general sentiment was different. During the 20 years in which they realise that she didn’t want to live under such “There was a game of volleyball between peo- good.” have known each other they haven’t spoken a system after the events of Tiananmen Square ple from East and West. They were the same much about East Germany and the Wall – as in June 1989, when a popular revolt in China age as us but we were all students while all of oday Torsten thinks that the East Germans a result Christiane is surprised when she hears was crushed by tanks and the official GDR them were already working. We were all in Thave gone from having a timid shame in her cousin talk about her times in the East. commentary came out in support of the mili- search of the love of our lives and there they relation to the former German Democratic tary repression. “That was the moment when were already married with children. We were Republic to a self-attributed pride: “It’s a lit- “There is so much I didn’t know,” says it really dawned on me that I didn’t want to all the same age but with completely different tle like what the gay community has done: at Christiane, as she brings tea and cakes through live like that.” lives.” The reason behind this was that in East the start it is more restrained, not so assum- to the living room of her apartment in the Germany there was a lot of support for young ing, but after a while what you get is a sense heart of West Berlin, decorated in an almost onths later the Wall came down. “In the married couples, especially those with chil- of pride, in this case, of having tried to make minimalist style with designer furniture. Mend I never put the idea of leaving to dren: they were given homes, they had access utopia a reality. Perhaps now some of those the test because history unravelled so quick- to a crèche, etc. feelings may even have turned a little in the egine Marquart was born in 1949 and ly.” Regine Marquart belonged to the Neues opposite direction: they feel they can say: “You Rlived all 40 years of the GDR existence un- Forum movement, the most important oppo- he first time that Kessler met a West didn’t fight against capitalism, we did.” der the communist regime. Being the daughter sition movement against the regime, created in TGerman wasn’t actually in Germany but of a pastor who would, along with her broth- 1989, before the events of Tiananmen. “For us, in Prague, some years before the fall of the oralf Kessler brings the conversation to er, go on to be imprisoned, had a significant the fall of the Wall was a gift, a second chance. Wall. “There was a group of us on a camping Ta close by saying that he feels privileged. bearing on her life: her family didn’t fit into This happened in the midst of my life. I was 40 trip and we met this Bavarian chap. He was a “My generation had the experience of living in the system which determined what its citizens and I was able to start again.” nice guy, on his own, and decided to hook up an egalitarian system. But we were not obliged could or could not do. “The earliest memory I with our group. I’ll never forget one morning to stay in it forever: all of a sudden, when we have of feeling bad about the regime was early egine first became politically active in when he woke up with a headache – we’d all were 20 years old, the world opened up.” on at school because I wasn’t a member of the RMecklenburg, and since then has taken had too much to drink the night before – and Pioneers (a state-sponsored youth organisa- on various roles, primarily in culture. But she 120 ¡ PORTUGAL ¡ PORTUGAL 121 ¡ Maria João Guimarães ¡ Maria João Guimarães doesn’t forget some disappointments: “For oth- people in it, taken in the year following the fall n another occasion her husband was s for her own files, Regine had originally ers it was as if the world had caved in on itself. of the Wall – the family reunited. Oin San Francisco working and he took Adecided that she didn’t want to see them. My brother, who spent time in jail and was six their young daughter. Somebody asked her if “It would be like opening Pandora’s box: who years older than me, thought during reunifi- “We started to see each other more frequent- she liked San Francisco and she said yes but knew what could come out?” But in the mean- cation: ‘Here comes paradise, the promised ly,” says Christiane. “Birthdays, weddings… it wasn’t a real city. Why not they asked? The time she had become a public figure – she land.’ It wasn’t long after that he found himself some funerals.” Christiane was living in West child replied, because it isn’t surrounded by a entered into politics at the invitation of the out of a job.” Berlin, an island in the middle of the GDR. wall. Social Democratic Party – and rumours start- The teacher says the Wall wasn’t so oppres- ed to go around that she didn’t want to open “In the GDR our whole life was programmed, sive for her because she wasn’t living close fter the Wall came down Christiane re- her files because she had been collaborating from cradle to grave. When the Wall came by. Of course every now and then she passed Amembers going to the city – by this she with the Stasi and had something to hide. So down, it was very hard, in the midst of eve- by it: “When we had visitors we always took means West Berlin – every day. “Everybody she decided to open them. “Some of it was rything that was going on, for people to try them to the Wall. On our side we used to have was there, talking with each other, it was great. gone. But it became clear that I had not been and discover their true selves and some didn’t these viewing platforms and we were able to You could easily tell those who had come from involved in any Stasi collaboration.” There was manage it,” she says. “But,” she emphasis- look across the death strip (the space close to the East. The predominant colour was grey. nothing about the informants that bothered es, “we wanted it be that way.” Other things the Wall on the East German side where peo- But everybody was very happy. I even climbed her: “The information about me had all come turned out to be more familiar than she might ple could be brought down by gunfire if they up the Wall one day. I had to be on top of the from relatively innocent sources: two or three have been hoped for: “In the GDR you knew tried to cross). There were some particularly Wall at least once.” neighbours, people in the hairdressers…” you were going to have to queue three hours nasty places such as the Brandenburg Gate or There was one thing however that left her feel- because you needed to buy something. After in Kreuzberg where there were houses just 2 er husband was lecturing in the University ing very disturbed: “I had a death threat from reunification one of the things I remember was metres from the Wall on the west side. And at Hand noticed that he had many more stu- an ex-official of the Stasi, a letter in which he having to wait in a long line at the tax offices times when we were on the platform the police dents. “There were people from the East that was saying that he wanted to kill me and put to fill out forms so that we could get things on the other side would be looking right at us wanted to see the professor called Trabant.” my body on show in the public square. It was like our National Insurance numbers sorted.” with binoculars. It was horrible.” awful. But at times like that there are always or Christiane life hasn’t changed much: for people who react irrationally.” The heat of the eues Forum was becoming increasingly here was one time of the year when the FRegine it definitely has. One of the things moment was accompanied by the “fear of what Nprepared to act against the regime and Tburden of living on an island was much that she did after the collapse of the Wall was was to come.” Regine was going to Berlin for a meeting. more to the fore: “We felt it a lot in the holi- to dismantle a small department of the politi- That evening she saw the press conference an- days. When we came back home after the sum- cal police, the Stasi. “The GDR was taken apart nd what came? Some bad things: the nouncing the opening of the frontier without mer my husband had a tendency to get a little in a very legalistic manner,” she says with an Arise of the Die Linke (The Left) Party, really taking in what she had heard. She went depressed because it was then that we had to ironic smile after a puff of her cigarette. “I got with former senior figures from the party in to bed and on the following morning when she go through all of the checkpoints and cross a call from the Ministry of Public Affairs say- power in the old GDR and from the Stasi, not arrived in Berlin understood that the wall had the border. The motorway was closed, they ing that somebody had to go there to take care only in the East but also in the West. But, she actually fallen. “But I still went to my meeting were checking our passports at the border and of the Stasi files. So I jumped into my Trabant. stresses: “We are alright now. All is well with like a good girl.” A few days later she appeared sometimes they would laugh to themselves be- I arrived at the offices where those civil serv- Germany.” unannounced at her cousin’s house where we cause our name is Trabant (the trademark car ant enemies of my own country had been. are today. One year later they had a proper get- of the East): ‘The Trabants in a Volkswagen…’ This was when I had to remove weapons from he differences between the East and West? together: Christiane fetches a big photograph, But more often they were unpleasant. And it some of those civil servants. I didn’t have a T“If you were to ask my youngest son who is the size of a tabloid newspaper and with 40 was then that we were only fully aware of the weapon, of course. It was a completely absurd 25 he would say: ‘Huh?’ But if you were to ask situation in which we were living.” situation.” my brother who is 46 he would say: ‘Obviously 122 ¡ PORTUGAL ¡ PORTUGAL 123 ¡ Maria João Guimarães ¡ Maria João Guimarães there are differences.’ I think that there are expensive – the opposite reflexion of what has news. But if afterwards her father managed to foreign names were typical of the East. “They still differences, standards of behaviour. The been happening in general across Germany. In keep his public sector position in a field with couldn’t travel so the names travelled for weight of authority is still stronger in the East. Berlin the East is new and exciting while the links with the environment and agriculture, them”, says Florian. In the GDR we used to moan a lot about the West is old and boring; in Germany itself the her mother became unemployed. authority being up there above us and there’s West is strong and the East abandoned. “East e says that in discussions with friends nothing we can do about it.” Berlin is interesting, everybody wants to live heresa and Florian are both young, in- Hfrom the East the other contentious point there. East Germany is poor, nobody wants to Tterested in politics and know a lot about is that the political party Die Linke still has East and West don’t mean anything any- live there,” summarises Florian. what happened before they were born, whether senior members with connections to the former more, but… that be through what they learned in school or GDR regime. “I have a friend from the East ven in Berlin there are differences in from their parents. Florian explains that his who thinks that many former members of the Florian Frei: Aged 20 Esome of the Eastern neighbourhoods: if parents reaped the benefits of being in the Stasi belong to the party. They are able to tell Friedrichshain or Prenzlauer Berg are the “island” of western Berlin: “The conservatives who these former Stasi people are, I cannot.” Theresa Geissler: Aged 20 favourites, nobody would want to live in had gone elsewhere.” There was another par- Many times the conversations falter because of Marzhan or Hellersdorf, famous for their ticular feature of West Berlin: its young people the incomprehension of friends from the East lorian Frei is a 20 year old Berliner who Plattenbauten, the huge pre-fabricated build- didn’t need to do military service, a fact that as to Florian’s choice at the ballot box, which Fwill only describe himself as being from ings of the old GDR (since renovated) and saw many flee from other parts of the then he made for the first time in the last elections: the West when asked which side he is from. social problems such as unemployment and Federal Republic to the city. “Much of the time they can’t understand why The question, he admits, still comes up often. xenophobia. Florian recalls that he went to I voted at all.” Theresa did not vote for Die But Florian is quick to explain that really he’d Marzhan for the first time on a school trip five heresa says that her family had contact Linke, but does say that the new party is dif- rather say nothing more about it. “There are years ago. “It was completely stupid: we were Twith the western part of the city because ferent from the Socialist Unity Party, the party no differences between the people of the East standing in the streets looking at the windows. her grandmother used to live on the other side of the regime in the old East. Theresa, who and West,” he stresses on more than one oc- It was like an exhibition of a completely differ- and “ran contraband” to East Berlin in the also voted this year for the first time, opted for casion throughout the conversation, though at ent country, as if we were at the zoo. I did not shape of many highly desired western con- the Pirate’s Party, who fight for privacy on the times he might remember some little things like, it was very uncomfortable.” sumer goods, such as jeans and books. “Once Internet: “These days the state is heading in that make the Ossis and Wessis different even she was caught red-handed with some books the same direction as the Stasi. I saw the files today. lorian was born in September 1989 but from the West. But nothing happened to her; they held on my parents, it was horrible: they Fknows nonetheless that he was walked she only had to leave them at the border.” knew everything about our house, where the heresa Geissler, who is from Brandenburg along the foot of the Berlin Wall in his push- furniture was, how it was decorated, who went Tand studies in Berlin, emphasises that chair. Theresa was also born in September “I don’t see differences between East and West,” in and out. And today when it comes to how “East and West don’t really mean anything and her pushchair headed for West Berlin repeats Florian. But… “Maybe there’s some- they keep watch over information highways, anymore.” “At times they might come up in after the fall. “My mother tells me that the thing in the way people speak. They say ‘alu- the state is once again heading in this direc- conversation, but they have no bearing in my people weren’t very nice and called out things folie’ in the West for aluminium foil while in tion. I do not want anybody from the govern- life. For the older generation yes: but not for like: ‘Look, here they come from the East and the East they say ‘silberpapier’: ‘overheadpro- ment knowing things about my life and that’s us.” Florian has always lived in a West Berlin they’re bringing all their kids…’ Theresa’s jektor’ in the West is ‘polylux’ in the East. In why I voted for the Pirates,” she explains. neighbourhood but would one day like to live family had close links with the church (which school we used to know who was from the East in the east of the city – “in Friedrichshain”, allowed an airing of criticisms towards the re- because of that.” There used to be other dif- lorian says that there is a prejudice about he says as if daydreaming, talking of an area gime and as a result used to be looked upon on ferences that are now gradually disappearing, Fpeople from the East still going around: where there are bars, cafes, shops and a lot with mistrust). Life in the old GDR wasn’t so one example being the choice of first names: “There are people that use Ossi as an adjective of young people. But the old East is cool and easy and the fall of the Berlin Wall was good Mandy, Jacqueline, Kevin, Marcel and other for things that are not very good. To say ‘this 124 ¡ PORTUGAL ¡ ROMANIA 125 ¡ Maria João Guimarães ¡ Ionela Savescu is so Ossi’ is not complimentary,” he explains. Ionela Savescu is 24 years old and lives in Bucharest. She And there are still jokes about the East involv- started working for media in 2006, when she was a student ing bananas for example – one of the things CVat the Journalism Department of Alexandru Ioan Cuza Uni- famously they didn’t used to have in the old versity in Iasi. She was also a reporter for the first student GDR. But on the whole these jokes refer to magazine in Romania, Opinia Studenteasca. After graduat- circumstances and not the Ossis themselves. ing, she has worked as a reporter for the national newspa- Theresa does not complain of discrimination. per Evenimentul zilei, mainly writing about social issues. She just gets annoyed when they talk about the money that the West pays for the reconstruction of the East (a “solidarity” subsidy, part of the taxes paid by all Germans). “You hear this Summary: The article presents how Romania has changed 20 years since the Revo- complaint a lot but I don’t really understand lution of December 1989. The story is told from the perspective of the Dragoi family it. The rebuilding of the West was all paid for who became the poster family for the revolution but who have not reaped the re- with money from the Marshall Plan. And the wards that it initially promised. All of them believe that they are living a real tragedy, country is still much divided; there is still a because nothing seems to be changed 20 years down the line. big difference in salaries. If you are a teacher you will earn much more in the West.” Estimation of jury: The article is written in an original style and is very relevant to s for the reunification, Theresa thinks the evolution of society in Romania after 1989. Throughout the article, the reader is Athat “Germany had the chance to make led to become aware of the contemporary reality around this matter. None of the de- the best out of the two systems and lost it.” velopments in the past 20 years have changed the simple life of a habitual family. “They took the East and laid everything on to it.” Florian agrees: “It wasn’t a merger, it was a hostile takeover.”

END 126 ¡ ROMANIA ¡ ROMANIA 127 ¡ Ionela Savescu ¡ Ionela Savescu

warm welcome and, at Sanda’s request, gave tory. They gathered around their dining table The Story of Ceauşescu’s the family one more day to think over whether the products available to them for a month: they wished to participate or not. The next day four kilogrammes of meat; two kilogrammes Starved People Vasile arrived back home on the tram with the of rice; three litres of oil; six kilogrammes of most precious produce of a peaceful winter – sugar; 800 grams of margarine. And, as basic country sausages – and the family agreed to food products, 30 kilogrammes of potatoes, uring the days of the Revolution, the tional psychosis. He had made it to Bucharest co-operate. So the Frenchman got to work. The ten kilogrammes of beans and three loaves of DDrăgois posed for the famous magazine on a night train, which he had jumped on as result is a photo that still catches your eye. On bread – not 120. There was also milk, diluted Paris Match with their monthly food rations the moving train left Belgrade. Pressed for an A4 page, four souls are crammed in along and mixed with soy, coffee, and the bottle of displayed on their dining table. What has time, the Frenchman was frantically searching with all their wealth at the time: a Russian cas- wine they get monthly from Vasile’s father. changed in the meantime? In December ’89, for a frame that would succinctly sum up day- sette player, a pick-up, a TV set, and two pieces The Romanians Sanda and Vasile are by far Bucharest was swarming with Western jour- to-day reality in Romania for the whole world. of macramé. One single frame that today is the poorest people in the East.” nalists. Paris Match, one of the most prestig- The idea he had was simple: the small pleasures worth more than a thousand words. You look ious magazines in the world, dedicated four of a family in a country in which one could at it, and you are plunged into another era. he metro station Păcii, November 2009. issues to the Romanian Revolution, with four only whisper about the bliss of having a por- The setup for the picture took a few minutes, TAlmost 20 years later, nothing seems pain- memorable edition covers resplendent with tion of meat. Since the girl who searched him enough to catch, in perfect photographic har- ful to the Drăgois any more. They were never images seen all over the world. Photographer seemed pleasant, Bruno asked her if by any mony, the Drăgois’ food portion for the month opponents of the communist regime, and to- Bruno Bachelet arrived in Romania in the chance she knew a family with two children, of December. As part of its series, the French day they look at it with similar detachment. early hours of the Revolution. On December who could help him produce an article about magazine had also captured through its lenses Sanda, who is now 47, and Vasile, 54, reached 23, while bullets were still flying around cha- their monthly food rations. The Drăgois fami- the life and food rations of another two fami- an age at which “the starved people” of one re- otically in Bucharest, and innocent people ly immediately came to Camelia’s mind as they lies – the Kohlers from East Berlin, and the gime became “the jaded ones” of another. She were still dying, the Parisian journalist took were living in the same block of flats as her, Vassilievs from Moscow. With 120 loaves of laughs and says that she wouldn’t have any- a photograph that encapsulated, in one single on Iuliu Maniu Boulevard. “I remember that it bread per month, the East Germans did not re- thing to put on the table right away. Vasile, also freeze frame shot, the life of millions of people took me a very long time to look for a family ally lack anything. Anybody who wanted one amused by the strangeness of being contacted after decades of the Communist regime. The that would agree to pose at home. People were owned a Trabant. And the shops always car- after 20 years, remembers that they have three photograph did not feature any tanks, blood, still scared of the Securitate (Secret Police); the ried everything. All they still lacked was free- potatoes in a bag. He does not blame anything or barricades. It showed the food rations for a Revolution was not yet over,” Bruno Bachelet dom. No matter how much persecution the re- or anybody; everything must be accepted and month that were allocated to an ordinary fam- recalls, as he also remembers the hours he rode gime in their country inflicted on them, their lived. He has been still assembling planes for ily. Romanians did not carry on their survival in the underground, worried that he would not table was always full. People were not divided 35 years at Romaero. And Sanda experienced fight in the street, but in the kitchen. That complete his article. After two hours of photo- into two categories, as they were in Romania – a difficult period after being left unemployed was the place where everybody calculated his shooting on the second floor in a three-room those who managed to find meat and those in 2003 from her job at the glass factory. She or her life in grams of meat. A few days ago, flat, he found Sanda. She was getting ready who endured – but into two other types: those worked for a while at a toy plant, just for the Vasile and Sanda Drâgoi gathered their family for the holidays. She had decorated a pretty who were patient and understanding and those summer. Vasile’s salary was – before the cri- for another follow-up episode – “Twenty Years shabby Christmas tree, and had completed who were not. The title of the article, published sis caught up with us – about 2,300 lei. After Later.” her shopping at the food store because she had on January 11, 1990, referred to Romanians as the wages have been reduced, it went down to heard that “they had brought in spinach and ‘The Starved People of the Iron Curtain’. This 1,800. So, this way, it became easier for Sanda he Searches – The Subway Station oil cans.” Her husband, Vasile, had gone out summarises the accompanying description. to calculate the family’s budget. It’s the most TIndustriilor, December 23, 1989. Bruno into the country to a village called Ialomiţa, “Vasile, 34, is an employee of an airplane as- important thing that she keeps track of: “400 Bachelet went through the strip search because to fetch their share of meat from the pig that sembly factory and earns 3,000 lei per month, on the final pay, 680 on the first monthly pay, the terrorist attacks had almost become a na- their parents had raised. Bruno received a and Sanda, 27, works three shifts in a glass fac- and the rest goes to CAR .” In 2009 Vasile is 128 ¡ ROMANIA ¡ ROMANIA 129 ¡ Ionela Savescu ¡ Ionela Savescu still assembling planes, and Sanda raises her that made life more beautiful at that time, the same flat in the Military neighbourhood, but also for the Mineriads . He met Iliescu, grandchildren. For her, unemployment be- they have the same retort: “It seems that eve- which had been offered to them in the time of Constantinescu, and in 2004, it seemed fabu- came a nightmare in 2003. But, two decades rything was better then than it is now.” They Ceauşescu, as the saying went. The agonising lous to him to accompany Adrian Năstase on ago, Sanda got dressed up her children for the waited in lines every day to buy milk, bread, transition calmed them down a little like the his campaign. “I simply love your country,” photos. She doesn’t describe the moment in ‘89 meat… about as long as children spend nowa- effect of a slap on the neck – teaching them Bruno says, and he will return to Romania in when they gathered round the table as an act days playing in the park. But, above all, they not to ask for more and not to dream about December, when it will be 20 years since the of great courage, but rather as a spontaneous remember that their parents occasionally used what they cannot have. A long time ago they Revolution. game. “We may die today, too, at any moment. to treat themselves to a better, truer coffee… rid themselves of any obsessions related to We were not afraid at all. We said ‘Let’s do brought from abroad. material possessions. All they want is peace, it’!” says Sanda. “Camelia, our neighbour, also to be able to raise their grandchildren, to live brought in a bag of potatoes and a few other peaceful retirement. Four years ago, on their retirement. They no longer stand in little things – to make the table look a little A Beatrice bore the child that made her line or run frantically to search for food, but fuller. Bruno took out his cameras, and for two parents grandparents. Their granddaughter they look in resignation at what they call “the hours, he held them still. Liviu, our son, was was the reason that Sanda accepted her unem- new punishment”: the new capitalist leaders the most nervous of us all. He kept grinding ployment fairly serenely, in order to peacefully turned their backs on them in the same way his teeth and telling the photographer, ‘Alright, raise her at home. Their son, Liviu, who also the Communist ones had done decades ago. man, get that photo done faster ‘cause these worked at Romaero, has moved to a private potatoes stink’! We were lucky the Frenchman company in the same field. He got married ARIS MATCH Bruno Bachelet: “I love did not understand Romanian.” In the living in 2008, and he will also be a father in a few PRomania.” The French photographer room, they had gathered their most precious months. Twenty years after the Revolution, worked until last year for the celebrity lifestyle possessions: a cassette player, which Sanda Sanda and Vasile do not claim to have fought magazine Paris Match. He did not retire, but still keeps for sentimental reasons, a pick-up, for freedom. They admit that when they posed wanted to experience what it was like not to and the vinyl records of Benone Sinulescu that for those photos for the free world, they were be employed. Now he is a freelancer, and he she enjoyed in her youth. “I liked the way he still not convinced they would achieve their enjoys travelling all over the mountains. His sang very much – that’s what we all listened own freedom. Vasile and Sanda’s post-Rev- first business visit to Romania was during to back then.” Of all the possessions they have olution expectations were not directed to- Ceauşescu’s time when, together with the jour- had during their lives, she still has not dis- wards wagons full of money, houses, or cars. nalists from the ELLE magazine in France, he carded the macramé pieces and the blue vase. Like many other families, they were dreaming came to meet Ana Aslan. All he can say about She keeps them “for dowry reasons.” Their about living “a little better,” in order to be able her is “She was a beautiful little old lady.” two children raised on the “quota”, Beatrice to raise their children. They had a good life During the events of ‘89, he seemed to have and Liviu, were respectively 11 and 6 when back then, too, as Sanda could say: “We got by been catapulted by Paris Match, alongside with the Revolution occurred. Now they are grown as we could. We lived on rations, but we were reporter Arnaud Bizot, into a different world: up. But, after all this time, they still preserve so lucky to have our parents in the country. “I had fallen into a huge chaos. But I produced images from back then which they juxtapose We had become accustomed to everything – some sensational articles, such as the first with more recent memories, as if they had the ‘neighzole,’ the bad sweets for children.” interviews with Petre Roman, and with Gelu lived two lives in different worlds. When they Nevertheless, the 20 years of capitalism did Voican. Paris Match dedicated four issues to start talking about the Cristal toothpaste that not bring them the prosperity they dreamed the Romanian Revolution.” After December they would often add to the colours in a wa- about immediately after the Revolution. The ‘89, he considered each presidential election ter colour kit or about the “Bob” after-shave only difference between now and then is that a landmark for the new democracy. He came they used as perfume, or about all the trifles they own a car. But now two families share back to Bucharest during the electoral years, 130 ¡ SERBIA ¡ SERBIA 131 ¡ Ivan Radak ¡ Ivan Radak

Ivan Radak was born in 1979 in Belgrade and still lives there today. At the end of 2003 he became a journalist Good ideas get financial backing CVin the economy section of the daily newspaper, Danas, where he wrote about Serbian economy and Serbia’s EU from Brussels integration. In 2009 he was appointed as the editor of the economy section at this newspaper. He was also the winner of the award for the best young economic Journalist ome people in Europe feel that the EU has mostly been allocated for projects aimed at in Serbia in 2008. Swastes money. But the Balkan countries helping citizens who have decided to establish are beginning to feel the benefits of closer ties their own businesses. Hence, funds have been with Brussels. This is especially true in Serbia, requested for initiating business incubators, where EU funds have helped support business- for opening the entrepreneurs’ centre, and es- Summary: Having been involved in four civil wars within only one decade, Serbia es, schools and many other organisations. pecially for helping women who have started, needed financial aid from the EU in 2000 so that its vital systems could properly func- or intend to start, their own businesses. tion. Since then the EU has donated billions of euros to Serbia through a range of or instance, without help from the funding projects. The most publicised of these have been the largest ones as they got FEuropean Union, many Serbian citizens Women in business the most attention in the media. Smaller projects did not win the same position in would have been left in darkness or would media and this was one of the main reasons for the relatively low interest of an ordi- have frozen to death soon after the October ne such project has recently been im- nary Serbian citizen in EU integration. This report shows that the EU can contribute to 5th changes. However, aid managed to reach Oplemented by the Regional Chamber of the realisation of projects that would probably never get money from the municipal everyone. Without European Union aid, those Commerce of the city of Niš, where the Centre or state budget. who always lack money for anything beyond for Female Entrepreneurs has been active basic needs would probably die waiting for since 2005. Jelena Čvorović of Niš’s Regional central government help. And, as we shall see Chamber of Commerce stated in Danas daily Estimation of jury: The article brings complicated political topics, EU projects and later, EU money has allowed a much broader newspaper that the establishment of the Centre arrangements closer to ordinary citizens and their everyday life. The author invested section of the community than might be im- four years ago was made possible with the help a lot of effort into investigating and researching the topic. It shows in a practical way agined to breathe life into their ideas. of EU funds, and other projects have also been how the EU Regional concept was implemented. Examples in Serbia, Bulgaria and Ro- approved. Among these were many activities mania are highlighted. The author’s research approach covers a large part of Serbia unicipalities, universities, schools, so- organised by the Centre, such as education and also allows readers to better understand what exactly they can gain from the Mcial institutions, non-governmental for women. Women were taught about proce- mentioned EU programmes. organisations, and sports clubs are often dures for establishing and running a company; rightly dissatisfied with the amounts they creating a business plan; contracting jobs and receive from the Republic’s budget. But they just about everything else needed for starting have managed to fulfil at least some of their a business. The best business plans have also needs through the CARDS (Community received the funding needed for them to be Assistance for Reconstruction, Development put into effect. The most recent EU funded and Stabilisation) programme. Funds are now project was aimed at linking similar centres. also available from the Instrument for Pre- This resulted in the incorporation of other accession Assistance (IPA), which promotes women-oriented centres in Leskovac, Zaječar, cross-border cooperation with institutions and Pernik, Bulgaria, in addition to the Centre and organisations from surrounding coun- from Niš. tries. Data shows that, up to now, EU finance 132 ¡ SERBIA ¡ SERBIA 133 ¡ Ivan Radak ¡ Ivan Radak

s part of this project, meetings were or- ceived €33,500 in aid to help implement a ne of the non-governmental organisations all of the questions, Milivojević emphasised, Aganised for businesswomen in order to project called “Road to Europe for Everyone”. Othat submitted an interesting idea to of- adding that the workshops were also attended give them the opportunity to find business Vesna Stankov, Director of the Centre, told ficials in Brussels was Kokoro, from the city by children who had already experimented partners. The first meeting took place in Niš, Danas that this programme’s main idea was to of Bor. This NGO focuses on the young, and with dangerous substances. and was attended by 50 female entrepreneurs encourage entrepreneurs to employ disabled the main goal of its “Learn about Life” project, from Niš, Leskovac and Zaječar respective- people. which has been awarded nearly €36,800 in ccording to her, elementary school pupils ly. Another 50 female entrepreneurs from funds, is primary prevention of drug abuse Awere more than satisfied with the lectures Bulgaria were also present. The second meet- “Together with the Romanian Development by adolescents. The president of the Kokoro given, and readily accepted high school stu- ing, somewhat smaller in scope, was organ- Agency from Timişoara, we have carried out NGO, Milojka Milivojević, told Danas that dents as educators. Milivojević added that the ised in Bulgaria, and at the end of the project, a study aimed at employing disabled people in they had submitted this project with the idea workshops were also well received by parents, on 26–27 August, Women Entrepreneurs’ Serbia and Romania. We have also suggested of informing young people, especially elemen- who asked for the continuation of such ac- Forum was organised, with the participation the establishment of so-called social enterpris- tary school pupils, about the adverse effects tivities. “The problem lies in the fact that our of female entrepreneurs from several more cit- es by, for example, uniting disabled people’s as- of drugs. They have also planned to create municipality is poor. For that reason, we have ies, such as Belgrade, Novi Sad, Valjevo and sociations into small enterprises, which could specialised teams that will help parents and submitted another project for the EU grant, Kikinda. Exhibitions of products and compa- then provide various services. Apart from dis- teachers to adequately communicate with chil- called ‘Learn about Life 2’, which includes a ny presentations were also organised. We have abled persons, these could also include single dren, as well as groups of high school students, non-governmental organisation from Požarevac also held a series of training courses aimed at mothers, for example. Now, it’s up to govern- who can help educate elementary school pupils and two high schools from Rešica. Our goal is exploring cooperation with companies from ment officials to allow partial tax exemption about drugs prevention. Another objective of to expand our activities to address all kinds of the European Union, especially those from for these enterprises,” said Stankov. the project is the establishment of a munici- risky behaviours among the young“, Milivojević Bulgaria. The procedures and regulations of pal coordinating committee to lead the fight noted, re-emphasising that the equipment nec- the European market were also discussed. Together against Drugs against drugs. essary for the realisation of the project had also Among the participants were owners of craft been acquired thanks to the EU. shops and companies from many different n addition, Stankov stated that EU funds eneficiaries of the initiative included 2,720 sectors, such as agriculture, the food and cake Iwere also used to organise two conferenc- Belementary school pupils, 650 parents and Fighting fires production industry, information technology, es – held in Zrenjanin and Timişoara – which about 150 teachers who participated in work- construction engineering, freight forward- had the goal of mobilising the public and shops and acquired vital information about he funds from Brussels are also aimed ing and medicine. Naturally, real new busi- those involved in issues related to disabled the dangers of drugs. The municipal coor- Tat environmental protection projects. nesses were created during these meetings. people and other social groups, centres, as- dinating committee has been set up, and 25 The municipality of Vršac, for example, re- This certainly constitutes concrete results for sociations, and enterprises. Appeals will also high school students trained, including four ceived a donation of about €85,000 in April our project,” emphasised Čvorović. She added be submitted to legislative authorities. Stankov children from a school in Rešica, Romania. for the “Let’s Save Our Mountains from that the activities initiated with the help of noted that during these conferences partici- Although the project itself is actually com- Forest Fires” project – an initiative that is EU funds will be continued, mainly through a pants were given the chance to understand the plete, those involved are still working hard part of a programme of cross-border coop- new cycle of training courses for women from problems regarding the disabled in these two and are fully committed to the cause. The eration with Hungary. Saša Živković, Director Niš and other cities in Southern Serbia. countries. “The problems are the same, but group has exchanged experiences with their of the Environment Protection Fund in the it seems that in Serbia we have worked a lot Romanian partners about the prevention of Municipality of Vršac, told Danas that not n amount of money from the EU has also harder on the solutions in the past. However, addiction-related diseases. They have also only flora and fauna of the Vršac Mountains Abeen allotted for helping disabled peo- in Romania they now have much easier access organised a knowledge quiz, and broadcast would benefit from this project, but also some ple. For example, the Zrenjanin Social Work to European funds and are catching up fast”, live on TV. The whole show was produced by 43,000 citizens of Vršac and seven surround- Centre and its Romanian partner centre re- she concluded. young people, who had written the script and ing villages, often endangered by fires. 134 ¡ SERBIA ¡ SERBIA 135 ¡ Ivan Radak ¡ Ivan Radak

uring just one year there were 34 fires in certain amount of money is allocated to of cross-border cooperation with Bulgaria have Dthe area, of which 23 occurred in July. A small, “people to people” projects, aimed been granted a total amount of €2.72 million. Which is why the project – a joint operation at organising social gatherings. Funds for such The lowest individual amount was €12,295, together with a Hungarian public enterprise a scheme were allotted to Dinamo Tennis the highest was €294,389. In total, 113 projects and Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade – Club from Pančevo, which submitted an ap- have been approved and funded with €11.3 was first submitted. The enterprise has two plication together with Tivoli Tennis Club million, the Ministry of Finance data outlines. key goals. One objective is to educate people from Timişoara. Miodrag Lazić, President of Applications for cross-border cooperation from Vršac and surrounding villages, includ- Dinamo, told Danas that the EU money helped projects that will be funded by IPA are still in ing farmers and children, about fire preven- in organising tennis courses in these two cit- progress, or have been recently closed. tion. The other aim is to build a geographical ies, attended by about 70 children. For players information system that will include satellite up to 16 years of age there was a five-day cam- Money for the Zoo images and geodesic measuring of forest roads. pus in Timişoara, as well as two-day meetings This will help to identify the most critical ar- of veterans from these two clubs in Romania U money, also through cross-border co- eas regarding risk of fire. The system will also and in Serbia. “These events included vari- Eoperation programmes, has also been provide easier access for fire fighting vehicles ous cultural contents, like kids sightseeing given to a zoo in Serbia. The zoo in Palić so that they can respond immediately in of the in Timişoara while we have shown Pančevo used this donation to organise education for event of fires, instead of waiting for them to and highlights of Belgrade to our guests from children about animals, in partnership with spread, Živković said, stressing that the Vršac Romania. We will apply again for IPA funds a zoo from Szeged. Palić zoo officials claim Mountains represent a natural attribute of the with the same partner, and our goal is to es- that their project was the best in Europe, and highest value, giving shelter to numerous en- tablish a tennis association for the Banat re- was recognised accordingly with a series of dangered plant and animal species. gion,” Lazić claimed. He added that another awards. As a result, they have built two educa- plan involves bringing to fruition an initiative tional buildings, organised three international e pointed out that satellite images had al- within the programme of cross-border coop- seminars and one-day visits to both zoos for Hready been made and were being entered eration with Croatia. The idea is to organise 2,400 children. A summer campus for chil- into computers, and that lectures had been social gatherings of tennis club members from dren from Hungary has also been established given in villages, attended by children from the country’s western neighbour and the Srem and there have been staff exchanges between Hungary who could also learn about fire pre- region, together with the tennis associations of the two facilities. Funds were also available vention. “The EU insists on project sustain- Slavonija and Baranja. for the development of local tourism in a few ability, i. e. their continuation. Therefore, we small municipalities, as well as for projects plan to realise another project after this one, Figures dedicated to tennis and handball clubs. There within which we would install fire alarm sen- was also an interesting sports venture, called sors inside forests. Additionally, the idea is to ccording to data published by the Ministry “Cross-Border Cooperation in Training Sport continue the project by creating a similar geo- Aof Finance, over 53 projects within the Parachute Jumpers”. Money was also used to graphical information system, in cooperation programme of cross-border cooperation with organise campuses for the young, build a cycle with the Municipality of Pančevo, for the en- Romania have been funded by a total amount track, improve local health insurance, enhance tire Deliblato Sands which, as a national park, of €4.6 million. For programmes with Hungary, computer literacy, support gifted children, is even more endangered by fires than Vršac 47 projects have been approved and funded by upgrade waste management, and protect the mountains”, Živković stated. the EU with €3.99 million. Finally, 33 projects country’s cultural heritage. 136 ¡ SLOVAKIA ¡ SLOVAKIA 137 ¡ Radovan Potočár ¡ Radovan Potočár

Radovan Potočár was born in Levice in 1993. He is currently attending grammar school and will graduate in My Secret European Dream CCV2012.V However, he already has several accolades behind his name including being selected as the national winner of an essay writing competition in 2009, which was organ- t’s December 2009. Twenty years after the departure. But I gradually noticed that some ised in the framework of the 60th Anniversary of the Coun- I‘eternal age’ drew to a close, I find myself of them were mumbling into walkie-talkies. cil of Europe. Earlier this year he was selected as the win- strolling around Paris with a very strange feel- Others were sitting at information desks or ner of an United Nations Development Programme essay ing. I’ve travelled hundreds of kilometres and searching passengers. None of them looked as writing competition about poverty and social exclusion. haven’t passed a single line of barbed wire. if they were preparing to depart. Even during Not a single border guard has taken a shot at the first few minutes, Paris had already proved me. Not a single person in Slovakia has been to be very different from the way it’s portrayed Summary: Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall walking through Champs- charged with unauthorised departure from in the pages of the Baedeker’s Guide. Elysées feels a little bit strange. I haven’t jumped over any barbed wire. I haven’t fought the homeland. No one has even had to throw against any soldiers watching our borders. And I didn’t even have to exchange my someone from a great height. And as if that t’s something one gradually gets used to. money! When my plane landed I was surprised. Shocked. “Why are all the blacks from wasn’t enough, I don’t even have to change IWhereas at school in Slovakia, we hurried the whole country at the airport? Are they leaving?” Later I realised that Paris is quite money. to the other side of the building just to catch different than my little Slovak town. It is full of immigrants. But the most important a glimpse of a Vietnamese student on his way thing was that I found out: ‘It works!‘ A few days after my arrival I got used to it and I great many things must have changed on to class, in Paris the sight of a street without even liked it. If Parisian streets weren’t a mix of different people from different places A our continent in the past two decades. a single black person seems somehow strange. they would look boring. The variety of races, nations and religions doesn’t mean hos- The stories parents tell of swearing oaths to Even boring. tility, but we have to be prepared to cooperate and respect others’opinions. I’m not the Federation in school, and watching Soviet sure how Paris will look like when I come back here one day, but I hope people from Spartakiad sports events now seem more like t wasn’t until I got to the hotel reception all over the world will learn to exist together and respect each other. If we want others the tales of a wise old grandfather who still Ithat I first saw the kind of person most to respect our opinions or religion affiliation we have to honour them first. That is my remembers the times of President Masaryk. people would think of when hearing the word secret European dream… And now I stroll contentedly down the ‘French’. But when the receptionist exchanged Champs-Elysées at night with all the pride of a few words with a colleague or guest in a European who has managed to make it here Polish, the likelihood that she was a native- Estimation of jury: The author expressed his subjective vision of the future of Europe without a single scratch. born Parisian fell to about nil. The smiling successfully and compellingly. The jury appreciated the authors interesting personal black woman who cleaned my room seemed contribution to the ongoing dialogue about European integration. The winning ar- ut Paris had already managed to surprise quite similar. Breakfast regularly consisted ticle was written in a good journalistic style and was able to engage the reader from Bme long before I had even started to sub- of cheese and ham, served by a diminutive start to finish. consciously give thanks for all of that. It hap- waiter who I guessed was from India. At the pened at the airport. When I first arrived, the bakery down the street, I paid a deeply tanned thought crossed my mind that something in the southerner for baguettes and croissants. After country had suddenly changed, and that the a few days in the city, I felt as if I had seen far entire black population was leaving. It looked more than just the Louvre, Notre Dame or the as though they were gathering at the airport Eiffel Tower. I had met the whole world on the from all over France and planning a collective streets of Paris. 138 ¡ SLOVAKIA ¡ SPAIN 139 ¡ Radovan Potočár ¡ Andrés Valdés López & Roberto Yanguas Gómez

lthough I must admit that all those stran- country which has succeeded in growing geo- Andrés Valdés López is a 26 year-old journalist work- Agers from all those different countries graphically (through reclamation from the ing at a provincial newspaper in Alicante. He studied were a little unnerving at first to a Slovak from sea), Europe as a whole has grown in terms of CVjournalism in Málaga including a semester in Sweden. a provincial town like me. But I slowly discov- integration, immigration and – at least some Since 2005, he has worked for print media in Budapest ered just how wonderful contemporary Paris of the time – through its economy. But un- and Málaga. After that, he became a correspondent can be. I realised that it wasn’t necessary to fortunately the growing number of mosques for the news agency, Europa Press. He continually free- buy expensive plane tickets to far-off corners and burkas lead not only to celebration over lances with local and national magazines and collabo- of the earth. A fantastic mixture of cultures, European diversity, but also to a sad by-prod- rates with NGO’s such as Transparency International. colours and nationalities is closer to all of us uct of a multi-cultural society: hatred. Roberto Yanguas Gómez currently works as lecturer at than it might appear. the University of La Rioja, and occasionally freelances f a single Islamic extremist is caught at the about European affairs although legal journalism is his any may not like it, but there’s one vibrant Iairport with explosives in his backpack, peo- area of specialisation. He has studied in Spain and Hun- Melement that makes Europe the way it is: ple will immediately start exclaiming, ‘Watch gary and is a contributor to the Institute for Information its diversity. For years, European nations waged out! All Muslims are dangerous terrorists!’ If Law at the University of Amsterdam. many wars against one another. Sometimes a black pickpocket gets caught at a Parisian they fought because of religion. Other times it shopping centre, someone will be sure to say, was because of race or nation. And sometimes ‘Aha, the blacks are just deadbeats and crimi- Summary: “Without the shadow of the wall” is a journey throughout Eastern Euro- conflicts revolved around money or power. nals!’ Covering up one’s own shortcomings in pean countries twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The focus is directed to the Wars of conquest from the times of the Romans poems about superiority and race, however, youngest generation of the former Soviet area. Travelling along the borders of Hunga- to the age of Hitler have shown that a Europe are not a sign of strength, but a sign of fear. ry, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine, the feature tries to construct an image controlled by a single mighty hand is not an en- of this young generation, living the challenges and leading the changes in their young tity that can withstand the trials of time. So our odern Europe must never repeat its past democracies, whether they are members of the EU or not. only chance is to stick together. Mmistakes. It must be a union of states where black people sit beside Irishmen on bus- n the end, diversity will not deprive es. A union where Germans and Turks walk to Estimation of jury: The jury unanimously chose this article due to the fact that it deals IEuropeans of anything. Think about it. work together side by side. A union in which with the issue of enlargement from a fresh perspective, using an original style and the Gender diversity is a positive development. Christians admire mosques and Muslims re- authors have put a lot of effort into it with numerous on-the-spot interviews. It high- But a Europe without women would perhaps spect Christian rules. This is the only way lights the difficulties faced by everyday citizens after enlargement but also shows the not be a worse thought than a Europe without Europe can act as a shining beacon for the benefits that arise from this process. national and cultural diversity. Forming a co- whole world. hesive society does not mean shutting our eyes to those with different languages or skin col- ’ll be deeply hurt if I ever return and Paris ours, but building a society from relationships Ilooks completely different. A few days in this which have mutually supported each other for city have convinced me that even this most di- 40 years. In other words, building a society verse of societies still functions successfully. based on dialogue, understanding and love. And if people of all nationalities, races and faiths throughout all of Europe understand he fact is that Europe is growing today. this, that would make my secret European TWhile the Netherlands has been the only dream come true. 140 ¡ SPAIN ¡ SPAIN 141 ¡ Andrés Valdés López & Roberto Yanguas Gómez ¡ Andrés Valdés López & Roberto Yanguas Gómez

year, people and students from many uni- here, in Kiev. There are no opportunities for Without the shadow of the wall versities, as well as young Moldovans, took young people, flats are expensive and salaries to the streets to denounce the fraud. Having paltry.” What’s more, she considers Ukraine’s previously been almost unknown, Moldova situation to be more complex than that of wo decades have passed since the fall of Chisinau when it ceases to be the poorest appeared in international television reports many of its neighbours in the East. This in Tthe Berlin Wall and the arrival of de- state capital in Europe. greeting the rest of the world with a par- spite of the fact that five years ago there were mocracy in the twenty year-old countries liamentary wing in flames. “The last order signs of change and pro-European thinking of the former Soviet Bloc. INFORMACION Views from Moldova (Beautiful Moldova) Voronin gave was ‘spend everything.’ The following Yuschenko’s Orange Revolution. visited Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and country is on the brink of bankruptcy and “We find ourselves in the middle of two Ukraine to see how these emerging states lena and her friend, María, are amused as total disorder, but it makes absolutely no worlds and we don’t belong to either. The have developed in that time, and to assess Ethe foreigners seated at the table next to difference to Moldovans. They believe that only way for the conflicts between Europe the mood amongst people from all ages and them interrupt their conversation on seeing when the time comes, Russia will come and and Russia not to affect us is for our politi- backgrounds. the two women in plain short skirts crossing save them”, laments Emilio García, a Spanish cians to behave in a very intelligent manner. the room. “They say that Moldovan women architect who has settled in Moldova. Just as And they don’t do it”, she states, recalling the adia has never voted for the communists. are the most beautiful women in Europe. interestingly, the new government’s promise conflict which left several European coun- NBut she has nothing but fond memories What is for sure is that here, the girls spend of regeneration seems to convince few twen- tries without gas last winter. “Is there any dif- of her childhood in that concrete block on more money on clothes and beauty products ty-somethings like Elena. “Some are certain ference between us and the young people in the outskirts of Sofia, where her parents and than on food. That’s why they are so thin and that we have to look to Moscow and others the rest of Europe? None. We have Facebook, neighbours celebrated the fall of the Berlin so perfect.” The young woman, born 24 years to Bucharest, to Europe. The reality is that we watch Dexter on the internet and we want Wall by sharing a bottle of champagne on the ago in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is we are a poor country, incapable of agreeing to clear off from home.” stairwell. That momentous event took place an architect. She speaks four languages, and on its national identity and where people still on 9th November 1989 and Sergiu, a child of works for a United States civil engineering earn 200 euros a month. That is why I’m off A Romanian perspective only nine, then lived happily with his fam- agency where she earns 400 euros a month, to Italy. And I will return when it is worth- ily in a flat in Sighisoara, Romania. Twenty double the average salary. Even so, having a while living here.” t is Friday night and Mattias, a 19 year old years later, he is still in the same house, be- second beer in the Jazz Café, an elegant live Ifrom Bucharest, sits down to smoke a ciga- cause he simply cannot afford to pay for one music venue, is a relative luxury for her on The outlook in Ukraine (Ukraine, the rette with his friend, Alex, 23. Although they of those apartments which everyone enjoyed which she has to go halves with her friend. borderland) have come out on skates, they don’t look like for free in the 1980s. When Mattias walks “Many people are confused. Unlike Romania, sportsmen. They have long hair, earrings and past Ceaucescu’s palace in Bucharest, he we weren’t simply a Russian satellite. Moldova hings aren’t that different in Ukraine. wear jeans. “Older people do tell me things thinks that those who shot (executed) the last was a socialist republic, pure Soviet Union. T“They say that the problems over the like ‘you look like a woman with your hair socialist tyrant – transforming his building There is a great fundamental difference be- birth rate and the high incidence of AIDS like that!’, but those under 40 are more open”, into a democratic parliament – are not that tween being one thing and another. That’s are due to people having neither money nor the boy explains, amused. He speaks perfect much different to the dead dictator. “Now”, why here, like in Ukraine, half of the popula- means of contraception. However, look at English and knows some Spanish. The origi- he exclaims, “they have less time to become tion speaks Russian.” them! They don’t stop spending.” Those are nal versions of films and soaps make great rich.” In a slightly different vein, what makes the comments of Maryana Polyakova as she language schools for young Romanians. And Lachesar feel ashamed are the Bulgarian few months ago a modernising coali- crosses a Kiev boulevard packed with people they also constitute the window that lets “chalga” singers: the model imitators of the A tion of parties managed to overthrow buying clothes. For this 25 year-old journal- them see that, in the rest of the European so-called pop folk who represent the “Paris the communists and their leader, Voronin, ism student who only returned from China a Union to which they have belonged since Hilton mentality in the Balkans.” And Elena who were accused of fixing the opposition few months ago, it couldn’t be clearer: “It is 2007, “it is not normal to bribe the ticket in- will only be proud of the elegant city of seats during the last election. In April this not a good country to live in. And even less spector on the train to travel without a ticket, 142 ¡ SPAIN ¡ SPAIN 143 ¡ Andrés Valdés López & Roberto Yanguas Gómez ¡ Andrés Valdés López & Roberto Yanguas Gómez nor a teacher for him to let you pass a subject. he battle Nadia fights, a 28 year old pub- could live here. From politicians to teachers, Romania is my home but it has absolutely Tlicist, concerns more the ethics of the corruption is everywhere. Look, we haven’t nothing to offer me. There is no money and authorities than the make-up (aesthetics) of been in the EU for two years and they have the little there is, is stolen by the politicians, the famous. “I can’t stand corruption. One already frozen part of the EU aid. It was clear which is why I want to get out of here.” Alex time I nearly got a fine for speaking on my that someone was going to steal it as soon as points with a grimace to the concrete panels mobile whilst driving. As I protested, the po- it got here.” hanging over the windows of the National liceman gave me an open notebook for me Theatre. 20 years ago the building attempted to leave money inside and thus turn a blind adlena’s tone represents the sceptic fa- to represent the glory of a nation united in eye. As I refused, he kept me there for forty Mtalism that tends to characterise many work and socialist values. Now it’s no more minutes. Then he told me to go to hell and Bulgarians. Turkish control over many cen- than an ancient block of cement for Alex and left.” Despite being quite taken with the idea turies, coupled with the duty to get down on Mattias. In the entrance to the building there of living in Berlin, she knows that her place one knee when the Nazis came through and is a poster, complete with the city’s shield is in Bulgaria – and that her generation is the then the later communist invasion have all and a telephone number. “It is a campaign only one that can put an end to the curses of conspired to create a submissive, conformist for people to report corruption. I know that the past. society that seems too immature to accept we Romanians have a bad reputation in the democratic change. The consequences are rest of the EU, but when it comes to corrup- n Bulgaria, the exceptional education sys- seen as almost inevitable: new communist tion, I totally agree with the prejudices. Quite Item inherited from the socialist era still victories, this time at the polls, which were possibly no-one will answer if you call that prevails under democracy. The percentage poorly disputed by the homeland candidates number.” They both laugh. They talk as if of the population taking secondary stud- and which dashed hopes of change. All of their country’s recent history was a long joke ies is 85%, whilst it is only 60% in Spain. which brought weariness in a country where that someone started telling twenty years ago, However, many vices remain from the period only 38% of the citizens were interested in and is still funny today. when power was concentrated in the hands of voting. “Bulgarians needed 200 years of gov- the very few. “For 100 euros you will pass a ernment by a rich, prepared bourgeoisie”, Nadia’s battle in Bulgaria subject. For 3,000, you have a degree….” ex- notes Stepan, a 55 year old town planner. plains Madlena, a 21 year old native of Sofia. “Do you see those girls there?” Lachesar She has studied Law in Madrid’s Carlos III or the generation that celebrated the fall points to two heavily made-up girls going University since the beginning of this year. Fof the Iron Curtain with champagne and down one of the hills in Veliko Turnovo, a Reading or practising law is difficult enough Rakia, non-conformity has turned into nos- medieval Bulgarian town, with their heels for Spaniards, let alone undertaking such a talgia. “Our world was safe. We didn’t travel, at an impossible angle. “That is what I hate task in a foreign language, as Madlena does. we watched films. But it was better before: about my country. Everyone is mad about the But, to her, it doesn’t seem so hard or praise- pay heed to your parents. You youth of today chalga music and their stupid lyrics of love worthy: “I have been studying Spanish since are as mad as the world we have to live in.” and luxury.” He lets them pass by, shaking I was little.” Then the young girl’s tone turns his head. “People my age only want to get rich both curious and ironic at the same time: quick.” The boy, a native of one of the most “What do you think of Sofia? This park would attractive cities in the country to tourists, is be great if they put a damned light some- 20 years old and studies in London. “Having where.” She makes a wide gesture with her got to know it there, I find it very difficult to arms and then lets them drop almost power- return home”, he reflects. lessly. “I like my country but I don’t know if I 144 ¡ SWEDEN ¡ SWEDEN 145 ¡ Tove Leffler ¡ Tove Leffler

Tove Leffler has been working as a freelancing journalist for Swedish Radio P1 Medierna, Snittet, Skala since 2007. Script to Tove Leffler’s CVFrom 2004 until 2006 she was a reporter and presenter for Kulturfredag at P1. Before that she worked for Folkradion report about Sarajevo in P3. Tove Leffler graduated with Hons (BA) in Radio Pro- duction from Westminster University in London and studied English in Oxford after completing her Samhalllsvet- osnia Herzegovina is not part of the EU, ther Serb, Croat, Bosniak (meaning muslim enskaplig linje at Schillerska Gymnasiet in Goteborg. Bwhich Tove Leffler experienced when her Bosnian) or “other”. train from Budapset reached the border of Bosnia-Herzegovina. e are imagining walls that are not there. WBut people try to build walls inside our Summary: I travelled through Europe by train for two months last spring to inves- Your passport, please! heads. tigate if there is such a thing as a European identity and if so, how it could be described. During my trip, I met artists, writers, professors, among others, and asked Passport? Eh, okey… here you are. ater I meet Anisa Setka in a café. She fleed them questions about their national identity, their personal identity and if they Lto Sweden with her family during the war thought there is anything that could be described as a European soul. The answers re we not in Europe anymore? A stern and lived in Lilla Edet for five years. We start were far from clear-cut. What I found were rather different European and national Apassport-police approaches me on the talking about the time before the war, when identities, in continuous motion, constant change, deconstructing themselves every train. So, miss Helena, he says, looking me Bosnia-Herzegovina was a part of Jugoslavia. day, every minute. Being European means something one day and something else straight into the eyes. Helena is my second another day. Sarajevo was especially interesting. Many people there feel very dis- name. t was better. People say that one couldn’t say connected from Europe, but at the same time as a very important part of European Iwhat one wanted. It’s not true. I now that, history, situated in the heart of Europe. It turned out that we often construct our es, we are still in Europe. We are just leav- my grandmother knows that. It was much identity in relation to “the other”, which made me investigate who “the other” is in Ying the Schengen-area, arriving in a non better, since we would say that we were both Europe today. Can a person be “the other” one day, and European the next day? EU-country. The war, ending 13 years ago, is Jugoslvians and Bosnians. still present, everywhere. here was a feeling of one common identity, Estimation of jury: With a strong presence and problem-reporting, without leav- Hello Tove! O, you are young! Tshe says, and other identities beneath that, ing the familiar crowd outside, she describes in a series of radio features a Europe but one did not exclude another. Anisa says, that faces major challenges. While listening to her story in the three SR’s programme erida Duarkovic works at the inernational like does Ferida at the PEN-club: It’s become series “In Search of Europe”, we are able to increase our understanding of the com- FPEN-club office in Sarajevo. She meets me worse, because most parties are still ethnically plexity of the EU enlargement process. The story from Sarajevo is, according to the at the door. defined. There are Serbian social democrats or jury, the best of the trilogy. Croatian liberals. The politicians use people’s Serbs, Croats, Bosniacs. others… it’s crazy! fear to build walls, they say.

he tells me the same thing as everybody: here’s also the fear that a Croat, for exam- SThere is no ONE Bosnian identity. But Tple, never would do anything good for a what’s worse, people in Bosnia today do not Bosniak. Even in school the children are divid- see themselves as a palette of identities, as they ed during religion class: Muslims read about did before the war. In Bosnia today you are ei- Islam, Croats about Catholicism and Serbs 146 ¡ SWEDEN ¡ SWEDEN 147 ¡ Tove Leffler ¡ Tove Leffler about Christian Orthodoxy. You can’t escape. t’s dangerous not to talk about it, she says. ut there are other sides of Europe, not as f you stand to close you can not see it clear, Nowadays everybody in Bosnia-Herzegovina IThat makes prejudice grow stronger. The Bbeautiful. Ferida Durakovic starts to talk Iyou need to take a few steps back. Maybe has to write on every single official paper war is present everywhere and if you grow up about islamophobia. that’s why I travel so much. I love Bosnia when whether they are Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks or in a city with a hole where there used to be a I’m away, I see it clearly. others, says Anisa Setka. mosque, we need to talk about that and dis- urope never wanted to see that, in her cuss why. Moreover, we need to discuss simi- Eheart, there were a group of Muslims who hen I got married, we didn’t want to larities, our cultural heritage, the history, the can call themselves European Muslims. Wwrite what we “are”. The woman at the language. Do you know? she asks. We have office asked why and I said: I don’t feel that been living together in West Balkans for over urope never wanted to embrace their own way. I am from Mostar so I am Herzegovinian 5000 years, why care about the last 200? EMuslims and aknowledge them living and my husband said he was Bosnian, so we in the heart of Europe. That’s why we suffer got married as Bosnia-Herzegovina. et’s get back to Anisa Setka at the small this islamophobia today and that’s what cre- Lcafé, where her dad just turns up and asks ates fundamentalists and make young bos- he war has created people who do not me in Swedish: How’s it going? nians go to Afghanistan to fight against The Twant to identify themselves at all and oth- West, says Ferida. Europe could have seen the ers who kling desperately to their religious f you don’t know something, it’s hard to possibilities. and ethnical identity. But Adisa Basic, who is Iidentify with that. Europe is really far away a poet, points out another side of it. here. hat was a chance lost at the beginning of Tthe war. And that muslim radicalsim we hat we should try to see is our fortune. n Bosnia it’s hard to feel European. You need see here today is something like “getting back WWe are lots of slightly – I say slightly Ia visa that you need to wait fo months for to at your face”. because really, compared to other countries, leave the country and few people can afford it we are all the same – different people trying at all. Then it’s hard to feel as a part of Europe. hat is the role of Europe in this fragile to live together. At the same time, the will is there, says Adisa Wand complex country? What Bosnian Basic. identities are there to find or create? here are such small differences, she says. TMostly we are alike. She, for exampel, is any countries in this region love to feel feel Bosnian. All my years in Sweden I felt blond, Muslim, poet, Slavic, Bosnian and many Mas a bridge between Europe and the east- I Bosnian. I am from here. I am not Swedish. other things, she says and laughs. She laughs a ern world. We are as west as you can imagine! lot. We shouldn’t stop identify ourselves, she ‘Cause west is of course something civilised aybe it’s because Anisa lived in Sweden, says, but with a lot of things and with Bosnia- and great. We havet these eastern neighbours, Mthat she feels Bosnian today. ‘Cause mo- Herzegovina too. That’s the only way to deal but it’s not really part of our identity. bility is crucial, says Adisa Basic, the poet and with the trauma the war created. journalist. It’s not only that it’s easier to travel he is half ironic when she say: Europe is without a visa and passport, but it’s also about t had and has massive impact on the Bosnian Sgood, nice, what you want to be a part of, feeling welcome. Furthermore you need to get Iidentity today, but we don’t understand how and we are the bridge between Europe and the away to be able to understand. I sometimes massive it still is. It continues to construct the east, or want to be. describe Bosnia-Herzegovina as a picture with identities of our children. lots of small pixles, says Adisa, and you need to see it from a distance to see what it is. 148 ¡ TURKEY ¡ TURKEY 149 ¡ Fulya Ozerkan ¡ Fulya Ozerkan

Fulya Ozerkan was born on June 11, 1983 in Ankara, Turkey. She received a BA from Hacettepe University’s Translation New EU president to play key CVand Interpretation Department and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in European Integration at Middle East Tech- role in Turkey bid nical University. She completed an online journalism training programme organised by the Turkish Journalists’ Association in cooperation with the BBC World Service and the British urkish diplomats are content with the partner, then I think everything will be affect- Council as part of a larger media and diversity project. Since T‘lifting of the blockade on enlargement’ ed by this new post, including the enlargement 2005, she has been working for the Hürriyet Daily News and after the approval of the Lisbon Treaty, which process,” said Settembri. Economic Review, an English-language daily published in chases away the clouds over EU expansion and Turkey, as a diplomatic correspondent covering foreign pol- opens the way for further reforms. European Ankara is content icy issues related to Turkey. Fulya speaks Turkish and English. officials, however, warn that the rules for accession are still the same. As the European urkish diplomats, contacted by the Daily Union embarks on a new, more streamlined TNews, expressed contentment over the Summary: The European Union’s absorption capacity or, to use a more euphemised era, officials say no change is expected on the “lifting of the blockade over enlargement” term, “integration capacity” has led to questions over Turkey’s negotiations for full bloc’s enlargement policies, but its new presi- with the approval of the Lisbon Treaty, which membership in the bloc. Before the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, the future enlarge- dent will have a major role to play in expanding dispersed the clouds over the digestion capac- ment of the EU was ambiguous at best with prevailing arguments that any enlarge- Europe’s borders to include Turkey. The EU is ity of the EU and opened the way for further ment should not stop the EU from deepening, or deepening and widening should go set to decide Thursday in Brussels who will be reforms. The diplomats also suggested the es- hand in hand. The no votes in separate referenda on the EU Constitution in France the new president to chair the future summits tablishment of a mechanism that would make and the Netherlands during the first half of 2005 saw debates emerge over the im- and represent the bloc on the international the EU a direct political interlocutor and would pact of Turkey’s possible entry. After a long-running saga the Lisbon Treaty was fi- stage. That comes after the ratification of the accelerate the decision-making process inside nally adopted in the Czech Republic amid concerns over a possible veto by anti-EU Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic. “From the bloc, which, they noted, would be another Czech President Václav Klaus, and the clouds over EU expansion were dispersed. The a formal point of view, neither the new post positive development. “The Lisbon Treaty will next step is to make the EU a “United States of Europe” with a new president and for- of president nor the Lisbon Treaty will change have a major impact on all external actions eign minister. This will create a focal point and do away with a situation best stated anything as far as enlargement is concerned of the EU, including enlargement,” Thomas by Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. “When I want to call Europe, I cannot find a phone because the requirements for candidate coun- Grunert, head of the unit in the European number.” Turkish diplomats, who say the EU now has that telephone number, are tries to get in and also the rules for the EU to Parliament responsible for enlargement and Estimationcontent with of the jury: lifting of a blockade over expansion, while EU officials warn that admit are still the same,” Pierpaolo Settembri, the European economic area, told the Daily the rules of the game are still the same. administrator in the Council of EU, told the News by phone. He similarly admitted that the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in personal influence of the new president in set- a telephone interview. The official, speaking ting future policies would be out of the ques- Estimation of jury: The jury has decided, with a majority, to give the journalism in his personal capacity, however, highlighted tion despite the fact that the selected figure award to Ms. Fulya Ozerkan from Hurriyet Daily News for her print piece “New that whether or not the new president will be was obliged to distance him- or herself from President to Play Key Role in Turkey Bid”. The piece successfully covers the reshaping important depends on the personality to be national policies under the European man- structure of the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty and evaluates the possible selected.“If [the new chief] has a visible per- date. “If the new president is a person who approach towards the enlargement process within this new structure. The decision sonality that has an active role in the interna- has a positive attitude toward further enlarge- was based on her good journalistic and easy-to-follow style with a wide spectrum tional scene and is recognised as an influential ment of the EU and has an open-minded at- of information obtained from different sources. The jury found the work to be very clear, imaginative and professional. 150 ¡ TURKEY ¡ UNITED KINGDOM 151 ¡ Fulya Ozerkan ¡ Clea Caulcutt titude toward Turkey, that will of course have Europe. “But of course, this won’t be like a Clea Caulcutt is a freelance journalist working on social an impact,” said Grunert. However, given the United States,” said Kaleağası. issues including immigration, integration, minorities, presence of anti-Turkey sentiments, firm op- CVhealth, labour and environmental issues. For three years, position to Turkey’s EU aspirations in some Lisbon confirms enlargement strategy she worked for the channel France 24, covering interna- member states and the likelihood of a presi- tional news for their English-language website. Based in dent coming from such a country could be a uropean officials admitted that without Paris, Clea has a degree in bilingual journalism from the source of fear for Ankara. “I can hardly imag- ELisbon it would be impossible to enlarge Sorbonne and a BA in English literature from Reading Uni- ine on top of the EU a person that is against the union but drew the line that it did not versity. She works both in print and in video journalism. enlargement. I think among the credentials mean the treaty was adopted in the view of the this person will have to have must be a certain imminent accession of Turkey and other can- European commitment,” Settembri said. “I didate countries. “With Turkey, there is an on- Summary: For two months, I followed several Roma families moving out of a slum don’t mean that he has to be pro-enlargement going evaluation process; it will carry on in fu- in Saint-Ouen in the suburbs of Paris. Their shanty town was demolished to make but it is part of the EU’s dynamics. Therefore I ture years,” said Settembri. “The Department way for an urban development project. The Roma people – more commonly known think this person will not be someone who in of Enlargement Commission will continue to as gypsies – were evicted and encouraged to return to Romania on flights funded by principle objects to enlargement but that does exist.” the French state. Many fled and moved to other slums. Some went back to Romania. not mean this person will neglect the chal- Twenty-four Roma families were selected and invited to settle in a French integra- lenges that exist,” he said. tion village. These lucky few were offered better living conditions if they obeyed a clear set of rules, which included sending children to school and looking for work. EU strategy needed But the Roma families also had to abandon certain traditions, a way of life, if they wanted to settle. They were not allowed to invite members of their extended family ahadır Kaleağası, international coordi- to stay in the village. Adults were no longer allowed to collect scrap metal, one of Bnator of the Turkish Industrialists’ and their traditional sources of income. The resulting series of three articles covers the Businessmen’s Association, or TÜSİAD, said painful eviction and dispersal of the Roma community in Saint-Ouen. the EU’s reaching a political unity would be in the interest of each and every candidate country but warned, “Turkey will now des- Estimation of jury: “I thought this was a strong human interest story that illustrated perately need a full-fledged accession strategy and illuminated some key EU issues. For me, the story scored well on newsworthi- as the political identity of the bloc is getting ness and relevance to readers. It demonstrated good research skills; while many of stronger.”At present, the EU Council is chaired the other pieces could have been written from secondary sources, this one had to be by the head of state or government of the researched on the ground. The immediate and sustained focus on the predicament member state holding the term presidency for of real people, would, I believe, seize the readers’ interest (as it did my own) and a six-month period. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the brisk and colourful writing would help to keep it.” David Bradshaw, Canterbury the EU will have a president to be elected for Christ Church University. “This is a lively and engaging text that draws the reader two-and-a-half years who will replace the into the story ... The fact that the author has troubled to interview the Roma fac- term president. Most observers say the new ing eviction, local police, social workers and so on adds colour, human interest and post represents a transfer of political power gives the story a credibility that sets it apart from the other entries. I found this story to the EU to turn it into the United States of fresh, exciting and well written.” Nathaniel Copsey, Aston University. 152 ¡ UNITED KINGDOM ¡ UNITED KINGDOM 153 ¡ Clea Caulcutt ¡ Clea Caulcutt

“after that, no more,” meaning the camp will ed,” she adds. She believes the towns and the Roma face eviction in Paris suburb be evacuated. Maria and Sorin State look for- Seine-Saint-Denis region should work on find- ward to moving out and settling down. Maria ing solutions to the plight of the Roma people says she will look for a job as a cleaner and because they drift from one camp to the next. Some 600 Roma inhabitants of a shanty in France. While her husband works on build- Sorin, who works on construction sites, rel- Last goodbyes in a Roma slum Constantin town in Saint-Ouen face imminent eviction. ing sites, she does a bit of sewing and laundry. ishes the prospect of having running water Drezaliu and his family have joined an inte- Twenty-four fortunate families will join an “I do not understand. I don’t steal, I want to and electricity. Neither Couaci nor Maria State gration scheme to obtain decent housing after integration scheme. The others face deporta- work,” she says. quite understand why some were picked and the Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen decided to tion to Romania but swear they will return others not. tear down a Roma shanty town. to France. omania joined the European Union in R2007, and as a recent member, their work- n NGO, Pact Arim 93, was asked to lead The celebrations are over now urelia Couaci, a heavy Roma mother of ers do not enjoy the same rights as other EU Aan enquiry in August 2007 and select can- Athree, lifts her two hands angrily. In a few workers and must seek work permits once didates for integration. State criteria for im- week ago, the shanty town was buzzing days, she will be evicted from the Roma shanty they find an employer ready to hire them. migration include the ability to speak French, A with Roma parting revelry, merry-mak- town in Saint-Ouen, a suburban town north According to Coralie Guillot, a project coor- having children at school and qualifications. ing and beer-drinking. Today, husband and of Paris. “I have two children in school,” says dinator for the French NGO, Parada, which wife Constantin Drezaliu and Pauline Visan Couaci, clasping her knees, “why did they not works with Roma people, a lot of men find un- “They want to settle down here” are sitting quietly in front of a soggy shed, choose me?” Nearby, her friends, young and declared work on building sites, while women waiting for the housing agency’s van that will middle-aged women from the camp, nod their either beg for money or do “ménages” (work ccording to Guillot, most of the Roma intake their belongings to new lodgings. “Do you heads – they too do not understand. Couaci is as cleaners). Ahabitants of the camp will either stay in know when they are coming?”, they ask with one of 500 people who are excluded from the France or come back to France after accepting a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. The city’s social integration scheme, and face ei- Running water and electricity to return to Romania. “This situation has been Drezaliu family is one of the 24 Roma fami- ther voluntary or forced deportation. going on for years, they always come back,” she lies – approximately 80 people – chosen among lready the camp has started to empty. “It’s says, before adding “half the camp has moved the 600-strong population of a shanty town in nly twenty-four families were picked to Aover,” says Sorin State, a Roma inhabit- to another site.” According to the Saint-Denis the northern Parisian town of Saint-Ouen to Ojoin a scheme that will give them proper ant who was selected to join the town scheme, sub-prefect Olivier Dubaut, a number of Roma join an integration scheme. Conditions in the housing and job opportunities in a newly- looking over at a man as he smashes a shed inhabitants have agreed to leave France volun- slum are dire. There is no running water, no built village of bungalows in Saint-Ouen. For apart. He and his wife and friends are sitting tarily in flights organised by the state. Those electricity, and no proper lavatories.” I want them, it’s an apparent improvement on the round the back of a van, Roma music blaring who remain will be evicted by the police. to be like other French people; I want to learn sagging grey buildings and make-shift litter- from the speakers. “I don’t know why they French, live normally, get a job and send my strewn sheds of the camp. But for the others, chose me, the prefecture decides,” says Maria owever, Guillot maintains a better solu- children to school,” confides Drezaliu, an un- the future is bleak. The city of Saint-Ouen has State, “but I like it here in France. In Romania, Htion must be found for the inhabitants employed man and jack of all trades who grew decided to tear down the camp to make way there is no work, no money, nothing to eat.” of the camp – most of whom want to settle in up in Romania before moving to France two for council flats. Some of the Roma, otherwise France. “The Roma want to build a life here years ago. known as Romanian gypsies, have accepted n Monday, the twenty-four selected fami- and they won’t abandon their aspirations.” to return to Romania, others will try to stay Olies will leave the camp and move to a According to Guillot, almost all the parents is wife Pauline is also relieved she will in France. Couaci does not want to return to new site where they will temporarily live in whose children regularly go to school were Hleave the shanty town. “I want to stay Romania. “There is no work, no housing,” she caravans before moving to the bungalows. selected in the scheme. “We understand the in France. I want to work.” Her nine-year-old says, admitting that employment is also scarce Sorin State smiles, crosses his hands and says, bitterness of the families who were not select- son, Alex, a name she proudly tattooed on her 154 ¡ UNITED KINGDOM ¡ NOTES 155 ¡ Clea Caulcutt arm, suffered a bad fall on his back when he throws a disapproving look at Drezaliu’s bicy- was a child. In France, he can obtain medi- cle. It’s a fifteen-minute walk to the new site, cal treatment the family could not afford in and the Roma families march proudly through Romania. “In Romania, when you send your the town of Saint-Ouen, raising eyebrows on child to school, the others hit him and say they their way. don’t want any gypsies around,” she says. The rest of the shanty town is quiet. About 220 res- A first glimpse into their new abode idents have already left for Romania in flights organized by the French state. According to “Oh look, it’s great, we’re going to have lights the Saint-Denis sub-prefect, Olivier Dubaut, and television,” says Drezaliu, grinning at the police will evacuate the site “soon”. The re- electricity wires hanging around the new cara- maining residents of the slum will be deported van site. The workmen are adding the finish- to Romania, though many swear they will ing touches to the site while the families wait return. huddled at the gate. First, they must sign up. The Roma families must agree to send their “Proyecto, proyecto!” children to school, seek work. The caravan site is guarded to deter strangers, and families taff members from the prefecture and a lo- from the shanty town who would like to join Scal housing NGO Pact Arim 93 are wait- them. Their social workers Nathalie Bouscal ing for them. Amid last-minute bickering over and Hélène Mardé, who already work on two the luggage, the Drezaliu family rush towards similar projects around Paris, explain that an extremity of the camp and join a growing health and schooling are their initial priorities. crowd of Roma men and women. “It’s a bit “Many of them have had no medical attention, chaotic,” comments Constantine Drezaliu as they have teeth problems, and no help during the staff, armed with clip-boards, call out the pregnancies,” explains Bouscal. Impatiently, names. Isabelle Riem, an educator and Saint- Drezaliu circles the site to find his caravan. It’s Ouen resident, has come along to show her at the back. “It’s big,” he says leaning against support for the Roma families. She explains the second-hand home. A curly-haired young that many of her fellow neighbours reject man joins him, “how luxurious,” he exclaims, the Roma people. “They think the Roma are before adding “how many are you?” with a thieves, and don’t approve of the women beg- hint of jealousy. Constantin Drezaliu stands in ging with their children. But if they take them front of his new caravan. As they unload their with them it’s because they don’t have babysit- luggage, the members of the Drezaliu family ters.” Today, the children are excited, shouting are glad but tired. They say they want to stay out, “proyecto, proyecto!” referring to the inte- forever, but according to their social workers, gration scheme. They chant “Thank Yous” in the caravan site is only temporary. They want falsetto, not quite so sincere, voices. Nobody to move the Roma into council flats within wants to offend the local authorities.”Can’t three years. “So far, the integration process you ride?” shouts a heavy employee as she seems to be working,” Bouscal added. 156 ¡ NOTES ¡ NOTES 157 158 ¡ NOTES