DOCSLIB.ORG

The Perceived Contribution of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary to the European Union

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Perceived Contribution of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary to the European Union JUNE CBOS 2004 ISSN 1233 - 7250 IN THIS ISSUE: THE PERCEIVED CONTRIBUTION OF POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVAKIA Ø THE PERCEIVED AND HUNGARY TO THE EUROPEAN UNION CONTRIBUTION OF POLAND, THE CZECH Shortly before the enlargement of the European Union, the public REPUBLIC, SLOVAKIA AND HUNGARY opinion research institutions in Poland (CBOS), the Czech Republic (CVVM), Slovakia TO THE EUROPEAN (FOCUS) and Hungary (TARKI) asked their respondents what these countries could UNION contribute to the European Union. The opinions vary from country to country. However, it is a universal belief that these countries will be a source of cheap labour for the European Ø EVALUATION Union. In three countries (Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic) it was the most OF THE CHANGES frequently mentioned „contribution”. The Slovaks also see their country as a source of AFTER 1989 cheap labour, although they more frequently mention hard work and resourcefulness of their people. In all four countries, high quality industrial products were mentioned among Ø LIFE VALUES the respective country's greatest assets the least frequently. OF THE POLES A comparison of the replies shows that the Poles are the most original in their opinions about the contribution ofPoland to the European Union. The most frequently mentioned assets of Poland include tradition, moral values and religion, as well as high Ø FOREIGN TRIPS OF THE POLES quality farm products. The remaining three countries pointed to these items significantly AND THEIR less frequently. In particular, the Czechs very rarely mentioned tradition or moral values, as KNOWLEDGE well as the quality of farm products. OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES WHAT CAN YOUR COUNTRY CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITING EUROPE? Czechs Hungarians Poles Slovaks 55 55 50 47 46 PUBLIC OPINION 44 36 34 RESEARCH CENTER 33 33 31 30 30 30 29 29 28 27 26 - CBOS - 25 24 22 21 19 19 4a ¯urawia 19 18 18 18 17 17 15 13 00-503 Warszawa 13 11 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 5 POLAND 5 Cheap labour Tourist Open market Well educated Culture Creativity, Resourcefulness, Scientific and Good Good Tradition, force attractions, for Western society and art cleverness hard work technical agricultural industrial moral values, Ph: (48 22) 629 35 69 good holidays products achievements products products religion (48 22) 628 37 04 (48 22) 693 46 91 TheCzechs mentioned tourist attractions of their country and an opportunity of spending a nice holiday there significantly more frequently than the respondents from the Fax:(48 22) 629 40 89 other countries. After cheap labour, it was the second most frequently mentioned potential E-mail: [email protected] contribution of the Czech Republic to the European Union. Furthermore, the Czechs see http://www.cbos.pl their country as a market for goods imported from the European Union more frequently than the respondents from the other countries participating in the survey. They also appreciate Editors: the education of their society, culture and art, which are found among the five most Krzysztof Zagórski frequently mentioned assets of the Czech Republic. and Beata Roguska TheHungarians want to contribute their culture and art to united Europe more Translated by frequently than the respondents from the other countries. They also mention hard work and Kinga Paw³owska resourcefulness of their people and tourist attractions of the country. Among the surveyed societies, the Hungarians alone mentioned scientific and technological achievements © COPYRIGHT BY CBOS 2004 ALL SOURCES MUST BE CREDITED among their country's five greatest assets which they can contribute to the united Europe. WHEN ANY PART OF THIS TheSlovaks believe that their people are the greatest contribution of their country to PUBLICATION IS REPRODUCED the European Community. These people are more than just cheap labour they are hard working and enterprising, well educated, clever and creative.According to the Slovaks, four 2 06/2004 main assets of their country are the qualities of their and only one-seventh (15%) believed otherwise. Now the society. In addition to the human capital, the biggest downward trend in the opinions about the whole advantages of Slovakia include tourist attractions and transformation period seems to be over. holiday opportunities. Although only slightly over a fifth of the Poles believe that the transformation has brought more gains More information about this subject can be found in the CBOS report than losses to the Polish people, the general evaluations (in Polish) What Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary of the changes in the country and in the respondents' place have to offer to the EU, June 2004. Surveys executed in April 2004. A representative random sample of adult Poles. N=993. The survey in of residence are relatively positive. It seems that the Poles the Czech Republic (CVVM Sociological Institute) was executed on appreciate the full independence of Poland, the building a quota sample N= 1043, in Hungary (TARKI) on a random sample of democracy and extension of civil liberties, but at the N= 1027, in Slovakia (FOCUS) on a quota sample N=1047. same time believe that negative phenomena prevail over positive ones in the sphere of everyday life of ordinary EVALUATION people (unemployment, low incomes, difficult access to OF THE CHANGES AFTER 1989 healthcare, a loss of feeling of social security etc.). At present, 45% of the respondents (a drop by 5 percentage points as compared with five years ago) believe that the In June 2004, 15 years passed from the situation in Poland has changed for better since 1989. A Parliamentary elections that brought about a complete slightly smaller group (37%) have a negative opinion change of the situation not only in Poland, but indirectly about the changes that have taken place during the last also in the whole Central and Eastern Europe. Initially, fifteen years. It is the most pessimistic evaluation since the shift from communism to democracy and market 1991 there have never been so few positive opinions economy met with massive support of the society. With about the general changes in the country and so many time, however, this support somewhat decreased, as the negative ones. Such pessimism may be partly due to the memories of life under the communist regime were fact that the political situation in Poland has been bad for fading and new problems were emerging. months - both the most important democratic institution Today the evaluations of the whole period of the Parliament, and the political parties (particularly transformation are still rather negative, although better those in power) have lost social trust. than at the beginning of the present decade. At present, almost two-fifths of the respondents (37%) express IN YOUR OPINION, HAS THE SITUATION IN POLAND negative opinions about the changes taking place in SINCE 1989: Poland since 1989 and believe that they have caused more 70% harm than good. Slightly more than a fifth (22%) believe 60% changed for better otherwise. Slightly below one third of the respondents 50% (29%) believe that the gains and losses balance. 40% practically remained unchanged changed for worse HAVE THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN POLAND SINCE 1989 30% BROUGHT THE POLES MORE GAINS OR LOSSES? 20% 60% More losses than gains 10% 50% Difficult to say 0% X III IX V IV V 1991 1996 1996 1997 1999 2004 40% The same amount of gains and losses 30% IN YOUR OPINION, SINCE 1989 HAS YOUR TOWN/VILLAGE: More gains than losses 70% 20% 60% 10% changed for better Difficult to say 50% 0% X IX V IV X V V 40% 1994 1996 1998 1999 1999 2001 2004 changed for worse 30% The most positive evaluations of the 20% transformation were recorded in the mid-nineties (1996 practically remained unchanged and 1998). At that time, positive opinions even slightly 10% Difficult to say 0% outnumbered negative ones. Since 1999, the evaluations II IV IX V IV V V have been deteriorating quite systematically. The 1992 1993 1996 1997 1999 2001 2004 opinions were particularly critical in 2001, when over Over half of the respondents (51%) believe that half of the respondents (55%) believed that the negative their town or village has changed for better during the last effects of the transformation prevailed over positive ones, fifteen years. Half of this proportion (27%) say that the PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH CENTER - CBOS - 06/2004 3 situation in their place of residence has changed for worse during this period.As compared with the previous survey HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ABROAD? (2001), the opinions have improved a little. However, in a Yes No longer perspective (as compared with the late nineties), IV 1993 49% 51% the evaluations have changed only slightly. The XI 1997 56% 44% evaluations of the changes on both the national and the local level were the most positive in the mid nineties. VI 2001 61% 39% Despite the critical evaluations of some aspects V 2004 61% 39% of the transformation, the Poles invariably believe that it was worthwhile to change the political and economic The most frequently visited country is Germany. system 15 years ago. This belief was the strongest in In the last twenty years, one-third of all Poles (34%) have 1995, when it was shared by three quarters of the visited this country. The Czech Republic and Slovakia respondents. Since then, the percentage of those who come next (the combined proportion of the Poles who accept the transformation was decreasing rather have been to the Czech Republic (20%) or Slovakia systematically until 2001, when only slightly more than (14%) is the same as the proportion of those who have half of the respondents considered the changes visited Germany). Other quite frequently visited worthwhile. Now the percentage of those who believe so countries include: Hungary (11%), Italy (9%), Austria is higher than at the beginning of the present decade, but (9%) and France (8%).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 8733/21 HVW/Io 1 LIFE.1 Delegations Will Find in Annex a Joint Declaration by Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgar
    Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 May 2021 (OR. en) 8733/21 AGRI 218 ENV 305 PESTICIDE 16 PHYTOSAN 17 VETER 37 PECHE 146 MARE 14 ECOFIN 437 RECH 212 SUSTDEV 61 DEVGEN 95 FAO 16 WTO 133 NOTE From: General Secretariat of the Council To: Delegations Subject: Joint Declaration of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania on the opportunities and challenges for farmers stemming from the Farm to Fork strategy - Information from the Polish delegation on behalf of the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Slovakian delegations Delegations will find in Annex a joint declaration by Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania on the above subject, concerning an item under "Any other business" at the Council (''Agriculture and Fisheries'') on 26-27 May 2021. 8733/21 HVW/io 1 LIFE.1 EN ANNEX Joint declaration of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Visegrad Group (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, on the opportunities and challenges of agricultural holdings in light of the Farm to Fork Strategy On 21 April 2021 the Polish Presidency of Visegrad Group organized a videoconference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Visegrad Group: (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia (GV4+4). The main topic of the discussion was the opportunities and challenges of agricultural holdings in the GV4 + 4 countries in light of the Farm to Fork Strategy. The Ministers also exchanged views on the Strategic Plans of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
    [Show full text]
  • Flash Reports on Labour Law January 2017 Summary and Country Reports
    Flash Report 01/2017 Flash Reports on Labour Law January 2017 Summary and country reports EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Unit B.2 – Working Conditions Flash Report 01/2017 Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). LEGAL NOTICE This document has been prepared for the European Commission however it reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://www.europa.eu). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2017 ISBN ABC 12345678 DOI 987654321 © European Union, 2017 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Flash Report 01/2017 Country Labour Law Experts Austria Martin Risak Daniela Kroemer Belgium Wilfried Rauws Bulgaria Krassimira Sredkova Croatia Ivana Grgurev Cyprus Nicos Trimikliniotis Czech Republic Nataša Randlová Denmark Natalie Videbaek Munkholm Estonia Gaabriel Tavits Finland Matleena Engblom France Francis Kessler Germany Bernd Waas Greece Costas Papadimitriou Hungary Gyorgy Kiss Ireland Anthony Kerr Italy Edoardo Ales Latvia Kristine Dupate Lithuania Tomas Davulis Luxemburg Jean-Luc Putz Malta Lorna Mifsud Cachia Netherlands Barend Barentsen Poland Leszek Mitrus Portugal José João Abrantes Rita Canas da Silva Romania Raluca Dimitriu Slovakia Robert Schronk Slovenia Polonca Končar Spain Joaquín García-Murcia Iván Antonio Rodríguez Cardo Sweden Andreas Inghammar United Kingdom Catherine Barnard Iceland Inga Björg Hjaltadóttir Liechtenstein Wolfgang Portmann Norway Helga Aune Lill Egeland Flash Report 01/2017 Table of Contents Executive Summary ..............................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth As a Political Space: Its Unity and Complexity*
    Chapter 8 The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a Political Space: Its Unity and Complexity* Satoshi Koyama Introduction The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita) was one of the largest states in early modern Europe. In the second half of the sixteenth century, after the union of Lublin (1569), the Polish-Lithuanian state covered an area of 815,000 square kilometres. It attained its greatest extent (990,000 square kilometres) in the first half of the seventeenth century. On the European continent there were only two larger countries than Poland-Lithuania: the Grand Duchy of Moscow (c.5,400,000 square kilometres) and the European territories of the Ottoman Empire (840,000 square kilometres). Therefore the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the largest country in Latin-Christian Europe in the early modern period (Wyczański 1973: 17–8). In this paper I discuss the internal diversity of the Commonwealth in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and consider how such a huge territorial complex was politically organised and integrated. * This paper is a part of the results of the research which is grant-aided by the ‘Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research’ program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science in 2005–2007. - 137 - SATOSHI KOYAMA 1. The Internal Diversity of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Poland-Lithuania before the union of Lublin was a typical example of a composite monarchy in early modern Europe. ‘Composite state’ is the term used by H. G. Koenigsberger, who argued that most states in early modern Europe had been ‘composite states, including more than one country under the sovereignty of one ruler’ (Koenigsberger, 1978: 202).
    [Show full text]
  • Reflections on Contemporary Georgia – Vision from Czech Republic
    Reflections on Contemporary Georgia – Vision from Czech Republic Written by Bakar Berekashvili Note: This article is simultaneously published for the newspaper The Georgian Times on 15 October 2007 „There is no guarantee that the civil society is always benign. But we must take the risk. The civil society corresponds to the historical possibilities of man and history as a drama of good and evil. This is the dignity of man: the choice of good and evil.“ Merab Mamardashvili Brief Discourse on Georgia’s Desire to become European Democratic Country Georgia’s political and social aspirations are an open secret. These aspirations are based on country’s strong desire to build democracy and civil society in Georgia, to integrate into the European space of democratic and civic values and thus to confirm again for modern world that Georgia is a democratic European state. But definitely the task is not so simple, it is very challenging and still full with various obstacles. Georgia still has to pass a long way of democratization in order to achieve its democratic goals and finally to be formed not transitional democracy but real democracy in our own country. In Czech Republic, where I live now, it took approximately 10 years to become democratic country. Since 1989 when communism died in this country, Czech Republic started rapid consolidation of democratic values that was doubtlessly led by Václav Havel. Currently, Czech Republic returned to its hostorical roots and enjoys to be democratic European country. However, here I mean no way that there are no problems in Czech Republic and that here we have absolute democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • A Short History of Poland and Lithuania
    A Short History of Poland and Lithuania Chapter 1. The Origin of the Polish Nation.................................3 Chapter 2. The Piast Dynasty...................................................4 Chapter 3. Lithuania until the Union with Poland.........................7 Chapter 4. The Personal Union of Poland and Lithuania under the Jagiellon Dynasty. ..................................................8 Chapter 5. The Full Union of Poland and Lithuania. ................... 11 Chapter 6. The Decline of Poland-Lithuania.............................. 13 Chapter 7. The Partitions of Poland-Lithuania : The Napoleonic Interlude............................................................. 16 Chapter 8. Divided Poland-Lithuania in the 19th Century. .......... 18 Chapter 9. The Early 20th Century : The First World War and The Revival of Poland and Lithuania. ............................. 21 Chapter 10. Independent Poland and Lithuania between the bTwo World Wars.......................................................... 25 Chapter 11. The Second World War. ......................................... 28 Appendix. Some Population Statistics..................................... 33 Map 1: Early Times ......................................................... 35 Map 2: Poland Lithuania in the 15th Century........................ 36 Map 3: The Partitions of Poland-Lithuania ........................... 38 Map 4: Modern North-east Europe ..................................... 40 1 Foreword. Poland and Lithuania have been linked together in this history because
    [Show full text]
  • Double Taxation Treaty Between Ireland and Czech Republic
    Double Taxation Treaty between Ireland and Czech Republic Convention between Ireland and the Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital Ireland and the Czech Republic, desiring to conclude a Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, have agreed as follows: 1 Article 1 Personal Scope This Convention shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States. 2 Article 2 Taxes Covered 1. This Convention shall apply to taxes on income and on capital imposed on behalf of a Contracting State or of its political subdivisions or local authorities, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied. 2. There shall be regarded as taxes on income and on capital all taxes imposed on total income, on total capital, or on elements of income or of capital, including taxes on gains from the alienation of movable or immovable property. 3. The existing taxes to which this Convention shall apply are: a. in Ireland: i. the income tax; ii. the corporation tax; and iii. the capital gains tax; (hereinafter referred to as "Irish tax"); b. in the Czech Republic: i. the tax on income of individuals (dan z prijmu fyzickych osob); ii. the tax on income of legal persons (dan z prijmu pravnickych osob); and iii. the tax on immovable property (dan z nemovitosti); (hereinafter referred to as "Czech tax"). iv. 4. The Convention shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are imposed after the date of signature of the Convention in addition to, or in place of, the existing taxes.
    [Show full text]
  • Minority Rights After EU Enlargement: a Comparison of Antigay Politics in Poland and Latvia
    Original Article Minority rights after EU enlargement: A comparison of antigay politics in Poland and Latvia Conor O’Dwyer* and Katrina Z.S. Schwartz Department of Political Science, University of Florida, 234 Anderson Hall, PO Box 117325, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7325, USA. E-mails: [email protected], [email protected] *Corresponding author. Abstract This paper examines the recent backlash against gay rights in Poland and Latvia as a test case of the depth and breadth of ‘europeanization’ in the new postcommunist member-states of the European Union (EU). We argue that antigay mobilization in these countries constitutes illiberal governance (and thus a failure of europeanization) on three grounds: failure of institutional protections for sexual minorities, broad inclusion of illiberal elites in mainstream politics and virulence of antigay rhetoric by political elites in the public sphere. To explain the stalled europeanization of nondiscrimination norms regarding sexual minorities, we apply two analytical models widely used to explain successful norm adoption in other policy areas: the ‘external incentives’ and ‘social learning’ models. We find that in the case of gay rights, EU conditionality was weak, and national identity and ‘resonance’ operated against norm adoption, as did domestic institutions (namely, weakly institutionalized party systems). The EU might have overcome these obstacles through persuasion, but deliberative processes were lacking. Our analysis suggests that some of the key factors underlying both models of norm adoption operate differently in the new, postaccession context, and that social learning is likely to play a greater role in postaccession europeanization. Comparative European Politics (2010) 8, 220–243. doi:10.1057/cep.2008.31 Keywords: Latvia; Poland; sexual minorities; European Union; europeanization; illiberalism Introduction In May 2004, Poland and Latvia joined the European Union (EU), ending a long process in which the strength of their democratic institutions was carefully tested and validated by the European Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Czech Development Cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina Icons Icons 48
    CZECH DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ICONS ICONS 48 17 ICONS: COLOUR VERSION ICONS 48 ICONS NO ZERO GOOD HEALTH QUALITY GENDER CLEAN WATER POVERTY HUNGER AND WELL-BEING EDUCATION EQUALITY AND SANITATION CZECH DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 17 ICONS: COLOUR VERSION NO ZEROAFFORDABLE AND GOODDECENT HEALTH WORK AND QUALITYINDUSTRY, INNOVATION GENDERREDUCED CLEANSUSTAINABLE WATER CITIES RESPONSIBLE POVERTY HUNGERCLEAN ENERGY ANDECONOMIC WELL-BEING GROWTH EDUCATIONAND INFRASTRUCTURE EQUALITYINEQUALITIES ANDAND SANITATION COMMUNITIES CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the Czech Republic’s Thematic priorities and SDGs: Sustainable development goals most important development cooperation partners. AFFORDABLE AND DECENTCLIMATE WORK AND INDUSTRY,LIFE INNOVATION REDUCEDLIFE SUSTAINABLEPEACE, JUSTICE CITIES RESPONSIBLEPARTNERSHIPS Over the past 20 years, the nature of cooperation has CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMICACTION GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTUREBELOW WATER INEQUALITIESON LAND ANDAND COMMUNITIES STRONG CONSUMPTIONFOR THE GOALS evolved from humanitarian assistance from the Czech INSTITUTIONS AND PRODUCTION Republic through post-war reconstruction to the current scheme to support the stability and successful ICONS 48 ICONS 48 integrationICONS of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the CLIMATE LIFE LIFE PEACE, JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS EconomicACTION When an icongrowth is onBELOW a square, WATER thatwith square mustONemphasis LAND be proportional 1 x 1. ANDon STRONG energyFOR THEfrom GOALS ICONS INSTITUTIONS European
    [Show full text]
  • The Polish-Lithuanian Monarchy in European Context, C.1500–1795
    The Polish-Lithuanian Monarchy in European Context, c.1500–1795 The Polish-Lithuanian Monarchy in European Context, c.1500–1795 Edited by Richard Butterwick Lecturer in Modern European History Queen’s University Belfast Northern Ireland Editorial matter, selection and Introduction © Richard Butterwick 2001 Chapter 10 © Richard Butterwick 2001 Chapters 1–9 © Palgrave Publishers Ltd 2001 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2001 978-0-333-77382-6 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The authors have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2001 by PALGRAVE Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10010 Companies and representatives throughout the world PALGRAVE is the new global academic imprint of St. Martin’s Press LLC Scholarly and Reference Division and Palgrave Publishers Ltd (formerly Macmillan Press Ltd). ISBN 978-1-349-41618-9 ISBN 978-0-333-99380-4 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9780333993804 This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Czech Republic
    National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights 2017-2022 CZECH REPUBLIC 1 Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ....................................................................... 5 National Action Plan – production and objectives .............................................................................. 6 Corporate interest ............................................................................................................................... 7 Plan format and choice of themes ...................................................................................................... 7 Existing plans, initiatives and strategies .............................................................................................. 8 Pillar I – state duty to protect human rights ........................................................................................... 9 Publication and dissemination of existing documents, education and awareness-raising................. 9 Criminal liability of legal persons in the field of human rights .......................................................... 11 Disqualification of a member of a body ............................................................................................ 13 Protection of social service clients ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Czech Republic Heart of Europe Location
    Czech Republic Heart of Europe Location • The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east. • Capital, with 1.3 million inhabitants, is Prague. • Population: 10 562 214 (census 2011), density 134/km2 • Currency: Czech crown, Kč (CZK) • Language: Czech (Slavic) • Area: 78 866 km2 Geography • Map with traditional regions Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and current administrative regions • Big cities: Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Liberec, Olomouc, Ústí nad Labem, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Pardubice Nature • The Czech landscape is exceedingly varied. Bohemia, to the west, consists of a basin drained by the Elbe (Czech: Labe) and the Vltava (or Moldau) rivers, surrounded by mostly low mountains, such as the Krkonoše range of the Sudetes. The highest point in the country, Sněžka at 1,602 m, is located here. • Moravia, the eastern part of the country, is also quite hilly. It is drained mainly by the Morava River, but it also contains the source of the Oder River (Czech: Odra). Climate • The Czech Republic has a temperate continental climate, with relatively hot summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. The temperature difference between summer and winter is relatively high, due to the landlocked geographical position. • At the highest peak of Sněžka (1,602 m), the average temperature is only −0.4 °C, whereas in the lowlands of the South Moravian Region, the average temperature is as high as 10 °C. The country's capital, Prague, has a similar average temperature, although this is influenced by urban factors.
    [Show full text]
  • In Hungary and Poland
    21 . 9 . 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 257/ 1 I (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2698/90 of 17 September 1990 amending Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 in order to extend economic aid to other countries of Central and Eastern Europe THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 2. Article 1 is replaced by the following : Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 'Article 1 Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, The Community shall make economic aid available to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe listed in Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), the Annex in accordance with the criteria laid down in this Regulation.' Having regard to the opinion of the European Par­ liament (2), 3. Article 2 is deleted. Whereas the Community and its Member States have 4. In Article 3 ( 1 ): decided to take concerted action with certain non­ member countries in the form of measures intended to — 'in Poland and Hungary* and 'in Hungary and support the process of economic and social reform under Poland' are replaced by 'in the countries referred to way in Hungary and Poland ; whereas Regulation (EEC) in Article 1 ' and *of the countries referred to in No 3906/89 (3) lays down the conditions for the provision Article 1 ' respectively, of economic aid to these countries ; — the following subparagraph is added : Whereas the Group of 24 countries and the Community The aid may also be used to provide humanitarian decided at the ministerial meeting on 4 July 1990 that assistance'.
    [Show full text]