Eurasian Union: A takeoff to the future

No. 3, 2011 Olzhas Suleimenov: Acknowledging the interdependence

What hinders business Klichko brothers, development Ukraine’s brand in the Black Sea – Caspian Sea The mystery region of the lost papyrus 2011: THE INTERNATIONAL FUND OF THE BLACK AND CASPIAN SEAS IS GAINING MOMENTUM

The way Romanians paint introduction introduction photo: archives

EU Strategy for Danube and the Interview with the Vice-President and Secretary- Convention on the Protection of the General of BSCSIF, Eldar HASANOV Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea. This means that the participa- tion in environmental projects will be more dynamic, along with the efforts to strengthen the economical cooperation among the countries in KEEP the region. We also plan to hold a series of in- ternational conferences, symposia, with the participation of remarkable BUILDING personalities, on such pressing topics as civil society, environmental prob- lems, the role of the press, religious BRIDGES tolerance. How do you establish the relations Mr. Vice-President, how was the is the establishment of the Com- This year, another country, the between the Fund, the European outgoing year of 2011 significant mission for Innovations and In- 11th, joined the statutory goals and Union and other international or- for the activity of the International vestments, whose role is to find, objectives of the Fund: it is Repub- ganizations? Fund for Cooperation and Partner- analyze and promote new projects. lic of Serbia, represented by the We acknowledge thoroughly the ship of the Black and the Caspian The Chairman of the Commission well-known professor and diplomat importance of our Fund in the Black Sea? is Mikhail Zernov, director of our Darko Tanaskovic. Bearing in mind Sea-Caspian Sea region; that is why To the Fund, 2011 was a year of Moscow branch, and I hope that the that the Fund plays an important the members of the Board of Direc- achievements. During this time, the commission will have a successful role as a bridge between the Balkans tors decided to open a branch in organization was able to implement activity. and Central Asia, it is crucial for it Brussels. This particular BSCSIF several important projects. Our team It’s worth mentioning that at this to develop further and not to stop office is a link between the EU and Mof young experts has carried out year’s Black Sea Forum of NGOs, at the already achieved. This is why other international organizations three projects financed by the Eu- BSCSIF entered the top five. Bear- the Board of Directors is planning and countries of our region. Our ropean Commission within “Youth ing in mind that the Turkish NGO, to consider for the next year the ac- whole activity is based on the princi- in Action” program, such as “Toler- awarded with the first place, has ceptance of other countries as full ples of international law. We have a The International Fund ance, religion and cultural diversity”, already 10 years of experience in this members to BSCSIF. And here I am tight collaboration with the Econom- for Cooperation and “Romania – Turkey: Partnership for area, I am sure that, over time, we referring to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ic and Social Committee of the EU, democracy”, “Side by Side for the will be the most influential organiza- Montenegro, Belarus, Turkmenistan. European Policy Center, German Partnership of the Black Black Sea”. Also, in July, the Fund tion in the region. We are aware of the fact that today Marshall Fund, Virginia Polytechnic Sea and the Caspian implemented a monitoring project You know, all our activity is based on we are one of the most influential Institute and State University (USA), in Azerbaijan, entitled “The role of the execution of statutory goals and international organizations in the re- with whom we have signed coopera- Sea (BSCSIF) offers civil society in the modern countries objectives of the Fund, in this way we gion, but for our future development tion agreements, as well as collabora- congratulations on the of the region”. We plan to carry out support the effective efforts of the UN, and for the realization of statutory tion with other influential national similar monitoring in other coun- OSCE, Council of Europe, European goals and objectives of the Fund, we and international organizations. We coming winter holidays. tries of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea Commission, BSEC and other impor- need to connect all the countries in strive to build good relations with We hope the new year of region, in the next year. tant international organizations. It is the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region both public and non-governmental The year was also productive because very important for each member of to the active cooperation. organizations. 2012 will bring peace to we published the first three issues the Board of Directors and the Fund To close, on the occasion of winter the whole world, prosperity of the “Dialogue of the Seas” maga- itself to make a direct contribution What other plans does the Fund holidays, I would like to congratulate zine, where readers can find many towards achieving peace, climate have for the coming year of cordially all of those who believed in and welfare to all people interesting and relevant information of trust and friendship between the 2012? What new directions and our potential and supported us, all and will strengthen the about the countries of our region, countries and nations of the region. projects will BSCSIF develop in the the people living in the Black Sea- questions and answers to the most near future? Caspian Sea region, all the readers of cooperation and dialogue pressing topics of the moment, as Please tell us more about the new For BSCSIF, 2012 will be a year of “Dialogue of the Seas” magazine and across the seas, a challenge well as topics of public concern, such members of the Fund. Will there be a more dynamic development. And wish them, first and foremost - peace, Happy New in which we promise to play as energy security in the region, eco- any further expansion, as in, new here I refer to both expansion and harmony, dialogue, trust and coopera- nomic cooperation. countries joining it? What countries implementation of new projects tion, as well as health, happiness, suc- Year 2012! a significant role.

introduction Another achievement of the Fund might those be? within the Eastern Partnership, the cess, prosperity and welfare.

2 3 contents comment photo: archives

comment EURASIAN UNION: WRITING THE FUTURE / 5 eventsand people EURASIAN UNION: SEARCHING FOR A COMMON VISION / 6 No. 3, 2011 thecountries of the region ______WRITING THE FUTURE In this section we will present to our readers another Editorial Board country, member of the Black Sea Caspian Sea The Presidents of Russia, Belarus and the one of Belarus. International Fund Mahir N.Quarayev, Azerbaijan Kazakhstan: Dmitry Medvedev, Al- As specified by the Russian me- ukraine Tamaz Beradze, exander Lukashenko and Nursultan dia - the new economical bloc will “EUROPEAN ELDORADO” / 10 Prof., Deputy Editor, Georgia Nazarbayev signed the first official not pursue political goals. Maksim Murat Auezov, Kazakhstan documents on the establishment of Grigoriev, Director of the Moscow eventsand people Bayan Sarigulov, Kyrgyzstan TEurasian Economic Union (EEC). Foundation for Research of Issues of Itaulian Fo : NATIONAL SECURITY IN A WORLD Mikhail Sinelnikov, Russia The idea that has been circulating Democracy, said to “Nezavisimaya OF GLOBALIZATION / 14 Corneliu Vlad, Deputy Editor, Romania for over 15 years will become reality Gazeta” that the Eurasian Union “is Çağrı Erhan, Prof. Dr., Turkey within the next 3-4 years. not a political tool used for solving interview “The future belongs to Eura- some political problems of the par- Olzhas Suleimenov: ACKNOWLEDGING Editor-in-Chief: Vyacheslav Samoshkin sia”, - claimed the Prime-Minister ticipating countries. Starting from THE OVERALL INTERDEPENDENCE / 15 English version: Olga Condratiuc Vladimir Putin in an article pub- economy integration, the countries Art Director: Dan Mihalache lished in “Izvestia”, in the month of are merely moving towards maxi- ______ideasand reople October, when he announced the mum mutual benefit”. The Eurasian WHAT HINDERS The Magazine is being published establishment of Eurasian Union. Union concludes a long, not without by the International Fund For Cooperation The base for the Common Economic fluctuations, but gradual process of BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Corneliu VLAD, IN THE REGION? / and Partnership of the Black Sea Space is the current Customs Union political scientist and journalist economic integration on the post- 18 and the Caspian Sea of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Soviet space, and the Russian and which expects new members, like association, capable of becoming foreign observers rate this project regionalnews / 25 President: Viktor Khmarin Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and may- one of the poles of the modern as the most viable in its category Secretary General and Vice-President: be some other states, further. world and having a practical role”. out of those submitted for the last BSCSIFchronicle Eldar Hasanov The Common Economic Space, This union, he added, will represent 20 years. However, the academician THE FUND OF TWO SEAS IS GAINING MOMENTUM / 26 Economic and Financial Affairs as in, EEC’s basis, will be operation- “a bridge between Europe and the Yevgeny Primakov pointed out that Counsellor: Marcela Curmei al since January 1, 2012; meanwhile dynamic Asia-Pacific region”. It will this project will develop much faster theroad to civil society Project Manager: Felicia Scoarta the media comments on the velocity be a “huge market with more than and less problematic than the EU MONITORING IN AZERBAIJAN / 30 Counsellor: Luiza Popa of this project implementation: the 165 million consumers, with unified project, in case EEC doesn’t hasten ______document establishing the suprana- legislation and free flow of capital, its own expansion process by involv- pagesof history ISSN 2069 – 766X tional governing body - the Eurasian services and labor force”. One can ing other countries that are not yet THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST PAPYRUS / 32 ISSN-L = 2069 – 766X Economic Commission – was signed add also the single currency, which economically mature for it. Printed at even a month earlier than planned. is more likely to come out sometime Meanwhile, Eurasian Union is projects,projects RH Printing Bucharest Indeed, a union does not come out after 2015... about to form, Russia is preparing to AN INVITATION TO COOPERATE / 34 of nowhere, as after USSR’s collapse, The international press reacted join the World Trade Organization the “amicable divorce” between the to the EEC project in very differ- and some former Soviet states intend EXlibris former Soviet republics was dragged ent ways and interpreted this line to join the European Union. In refer- THE RISE OF TURKEY IN THE GEOPOLITICS ______through a series of international of action as a partnership/rivalry ence to that, Putin emphasized that OF THE BLACK SEA / 36 The opinions expressed by the authors institutions, more or less functional, with the EU, as a counterweight to the Eurasian integration does not do not necessarily reflect the views of the such as the CIS, Russia-Belarus China’s economic growth or as a new come in conflict with the choice of gallery «Dialogue of the Seas» editors. Union, the Organization of Col- attempt to restore USSR. But in a European one, “Eurasian Union will THE WAY ROMANIANS PAINT TODAY / 38 When using the material, the reference lective Security Treaty, GUAM, the certain moment, Putin felt necessary be based on universal integration to the magazine is obligatory. Customs Union, or, ultimately, the to clarify that this idea is not about principles as an essential part of the BSCSIFchronicle / 40 ______Common Economic Space. The “recreating, whatever the ways, the Greater Europe, united by shared Editorial address: new union, as declared the current Soviet Union”. For, all member states values of freedom, democracy and Bucharest, 13-19 Alecu Rusoo street, sector 2. Prime-Minister, former President will be equal in their rights, even market laws”. Tel: +40 21 211 1151, +40 21 211 1152; and also a candidate with the great- despite the fact that, as noted by one Only the near future is to show The”New Silk Road” poetic anthology fax: +40 21 211 4094; est chances in the presidential elec- of the reporters, Russian economy is how this new Eurasian Union, based OVER THE WOUNDED STONE / 41 e-mail: [email protected] tions, Vladimir Putin, will be “an 10 times larger than the economy of on European principles will fit into Kaisyn KULIYEV / 42 example of a powerful supranational Kazakhstan and 33 times larger than this dynamic environment. comment

4 5 Esandvent people Eventsand people text: felicia scoarta photo: archives

with several projects. Within one of the most interesting projects, we SEARCHING FOR monitored the property declarations of State Duma deputies. We were comparing their declarations of them as being candidates and the declara- A COMMON VISION tions made by them after two years in the parliamentary office. Amazing things were revealed, when, say, the The 4th Black Sea NGO Forum gathered in Bucharest Незабываемые deputiesминуты триумфа that joined Duma without more than 200 young builders of civil society property, without a thing, were after- wards purchasing “Maserati”, which he Black Sea region couldn’t be procured on their wages faces enormous only, even if not eating and drinking, “ shared challenges, also imposing areas of real estate ap- which can be over- peared - both residential and nonres- come only by coor- Arda Batu (center) and BSCSIF idential, etc. Many other illegalities dinating efforts at the level of the representatives (from left to right): were spotted when deputies refused Raisa Popa, Yulia Akhunova, entireT region. One of such coordi- Felicia Scoarta and Raluca Clotaru to provide information on their wives nation levers is the EU initiatives or minor children. By identifying - “Black Sea Synergy” and “Eastern Arda BATU, these infringements, we try to bring Partnership”. Vice-Chairman of the ARI Movement the borders are closed, so we, the perpetrators to justice. To do so, “Civil society must certainly en- Foundation (Turkey) as an NGO, do our best to open we contacted political parties so that force the government to work more ef- these borders and to establish a they would personally write a request ficiently, but it’s much better when the he headquarters of our Founda- normal dialogue between the two to initiate legal proceedings against non-governmental organizations work Ttion is located in Istanbul. Our neighboring countries. the above mentioned. Moreover, our with the government hand in hand.” activity has two major directions: one investigation results are being pub- “This region needs a new genera- Romanian MFA State Secretary, Doru Costea opens the forum covers international relations and lished in press, first and foremost in tion of leaders to get an opportunity to the other refers to youth. The reason the on-line press. change...” During the Conference, impor- The plenary sessions and panel why we were awarded with the best Another project was about Here are just a few ideas heard in tant and topical themes were dis- discussions were attended by Staffan NGO in the region is because of monitoring court activity. At the October in Bucharest, at the 4th forum cussed: the Black Sea region in 2011, Nilsson, President of the European our regional cooperation project on beginning of the last year, in Rus- of nongovernmental organizations European Neighborhood Policy Economic and Social Committee, Doru civil diplomacy. It gathered together sia, entered into force a law, obliging (NGOs) of the Black Sea region. It was and its Eastern Dimension, Black Costea, State Secretary of Ministry young people and future leaders from the courts to publish on the Internet organized by the Romanian Federation Sea region’s positioning within EU of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Traian Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and information about their activities, of NGOs for Development, supported regional cooperation, the democra- Chebeleu, Deputy Secretary General Turkey. I think that we received this that is, information on all trials, the by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of tization of the countries of the Black of Black Sea Economic Cooperation award because we managed to carry progress made on cases. Courts of ar- Romania, the European Commission Sea region and the role of NGOs in (BSEC) and other officials from Roma- out a large collaboration with little bitration did a good job, but the situ- representatives in this country and the developing democratic institutions; nia, Turkey, France, Germany, as well as financing. Initially, the program was ation of courts of general jurisdiction organization named “Black Sea Trust other topics were: enhancing NGOs’ representatives of donor organizations. designed for 16 participants, but we was very bad. The monitoring, which for Regional Cooperation” – a part of role in conflict management and The same as last year, the European managed to create a network of over was held with the help of students, the German Marshall Fund. particularly in restoring trust in the Commission awarded the “NGO of the a hundred people. revealed that most courts do not The Forum was attended by over South Caucasus and Transnistria, Year”. The winner became the Turkish We are one of the few NGOs in Alexandra TSYBIZOVA, respect the law. On the basis of all 200 representatives from the countries their participation at the develop- organization “ARI Movement”, repre- Turkey that collaborate closely with lawyer, Transparency International our inspections we sent complaints of the region, as well as from Albania, ment of transfrontier connections sented by its Vice-Chairman, Arda Batu. Armenia. We have implemented - Russia, Center for Anti-Corruption to the public prosecutor’s office. We Belgium, Cyprus, USA, Tunisia, France, and rural areas, the “Arab Spring” Also, the International Fund for Coop- more than 20 projects till this Research and Initiatives received very often runaround an- Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden... and its lessons, welfare and child eration and Partnership of the Black Sea moment. The topics were very swers, when the prosecutor’s office The Forum’s goal was to create an open protection policy... and the Caspian Sea (BSCSIF) entered diverse: from civil diplomacy ransparency International (TI), was redirecting our complaints to space for discussion, mutual under- The discussions on ways in which the top five NGOs of the region. to journalist exchanges and Ta worldwide nonprofit organi- the corresponding court. In the near standing and cooperation between civil NGOs could influence policymaking BSCSIF’s participation in this intercultural dialogue. We focused zation with a secretariat in Berlin, future we will publish a synthesis society representatives, governments in the Black Sea region were particu- Forum will contribute to its greater on the relations between Armenia works according to the principle: one report based on monitoring activity. and active nongovernmental organiza- larly interesting to the participants, as involvement into regional projects. and Turkey for obvious reasons: the country, one national department. The main conclusion is that the court tions of the “extended Black Sea region”, well as on the training of new leaders We give the floor to the partici- two countries have maintained for TI’s main area of activity is the system does not work, because we do but mainly, to build a joint vision on and on the measures to limit the role pants of the event. a long time conflicting relations. worldwide fight against corrup- not even have a legal possibility to the problems of the region. of the state. Felicia Scoarta, BSCSIF Project Manager This is not a hot conflict, but tion. The Russian organization deals make any officials answerable.

6 7 Esandvent people Eventsand people

I participated for the first time achieved obvious successes. I saw here parative presentation on social policy ur headquarters is located in sions, the rights of authorities, to at the Bucharest Forum. There were people who work in our countries not in Azerbaijan and other countries in OMoscow, but there is a large give more rights to political parties interesting proposals here, which only on environmental issues, but on the region. Our main conclusion is: in network of regional offices in 40 and observers. At the initial stage of I think could be introduced to our all issues in general. We have to recon- the countries of the Black Sea region regions of Russian Federation - from the project, we invited experts from laws. For example, I heard from my sider the whole way of working after there are diverse institutions which Dagestan to Vladivostok! EU, Bulgaria and Romania, taking Romanian colleagues that, by law, we realized what kind of meaning car- allow shaping and managing social We receive funding from grant- fortunately, the majority of independ- into consideration, in this way, the upon payment of the annual income ries the Black Sea to us and what do we policy. But the problem is that we - in- making organizations - the United ent candidates meet obstacles when experience of electoral legislation in tax, every citizen has the right and represent as countries of the Black Sea. dependent experts, NGO activists – do States, the European Commission, collecting signatures, when register- Europe... We have organized discus- opportunity to send two percent out It is time to do more concrete things not know each other. For example, we, embassies of Britain, Finland, also ing; they are actually being refused sion upon the project in the region of the tax on the activities of some together. When, back in the 90’s we in Azerbaijan, do not know the social from the Swedish partners, from to participate in the elections. As a at all levels and are trying to do pub- NGOs. That is, this person doesn’t started the cooperation in Caucasus, it policy of Romania; our Romanian col- German funds... From Russian result, many of them cannot even be- lic hearings on it at the State Duma. spend additional money for funding, took several years to settle a coordinate leagues do not know the social policy funds - not yet: our requests didn’t come candidates - at the very begin- For me, the forum in Bucharest but a part of the tax, which goes to activity, to establish friendly relations of Georgia... So, there is a gap in this receive any support. ning they already lose to those who was extremely useful, as I managed the state. We have absolutely no such between organizations. Now it’s time segment and we should create a new The main sphere of our activity use administrative resource. to make a very clear picture on the thing. This is exactly the case of a to develop joint initiatives. I think we network of professionals to study social is to monitor regional and federal We also run media monitoring structure of the non-governmental joint activity of government and non- can do it, because everybody is very policy in the Black Sea region. elections, thing that we are doing for for election campaigns. We iden- sector in the CIS countries, Eastern profit organizations... actively involved in this cooperation, In oil and gas economy, on one more than ten years. According to tify the unequal, unjust access to Europe, for I know the difficulties representatives of all three countries hand, there is a problem with manag- the Russian law, non-profit organiza- the media, and multiple violations faced by NGOs in Russia - the dif- understand its critical importance. For ing incomes derived from this sector; tions do not have the right to run of law on election day, which are ficulties in financing, working with us, this is a stage, a way to join also the on the other hand, this sector is a neu- political monitoring. That is why we consequences of a certain position the public, the authorities, the press. European Union, for we see our way to tral, rescue cushion for social policy, have our own body, the “Civic Voice” of our government, as well as igno- I was surprised to find out that the the EU through the Black Sea... especially in times of crisis. In many newspaper, and our correspondents rance of election commission mem- situations in this case are sometimes countries, social expenses have de- with journalist rights and observer bers when breaking the law occurs entirely opposite. In some countries creased during this period, in Azerbai- status assist the polling stations and because of not knowing it. the authorities offer a huge sup- jan - huge additional costs were regis- monitor. We have our own experts - The monitoring is being held in port to NGOs. The forum provided tered in this field. It is about ensuring a leading Russian political scientists; circumstances of complete politi- new contacts to me and it revealed minimum for social groups that need while they developed methodology cal neutrality. We register contra- inspiring stories about implementa- help. And as Russia, Kazakhstan and on monitoring, we prepared meth- ventions no matter the party and tion of successful projects. I really Turkmenistan’s economies are also odological textbooks too, and on the publish the information in a fair liked the organization from Arme- based on oil and gas, we can explore basis of these and a series of trainings way. We can say that the majority nia, which shapes a dialogue be- together the social sphere problematic, called “School of the citizen” we train of candidates to elections are repre- tween business, people and the gov- including reallocation of resources in Moscow and in its regions profes- sentatives of the governmental party ernment, where the authorities are speaking in terms of as social justice. sional reporters-observers. “United Russia” and in our reports in every way supporting the activity K akha BAKHTADZE, The purpose of monitoring is are registered, of course, more ille- of nonprofit organizations, inviting geographer, representative to collect information on illegali- galities made by candidates particu- them to dialogue. of Caucasus Environmental NGO ties, which are to be subsequently larly from this party. But it is worth I was pleasantly surprised that Network (Georgia) disclosed, as well as to try to prevent mentioning that all is proportionate, the NGO Forum in Romania was the commitment of such illegalities all the parties commit illegalities at attended by MFA State Secretary ur network works in Georgia, by influencing upon the members all stages of the cycle. Our main goal and that this ministry offers a great Azerbaijan and Armenia. We K enan ASLANLI, head of of electoral commissions. Our is to make this information available support to nonprofit organizations. O Projects and Researches Division have our own offices, own projects. journalists-observers, besides the to the masses, so that people know Our authorities show support to- at Azerbaijan-Turkey Business Environmental protection is now a right of registering illegalities and how their political rights and free- wards NGOs in more neutral areas Association (Azerbaijan): big problem for our countries. As the pointing them out to the commit- doms are being really respected by - environment, child protection and reform process is intense, the states tee members, are also in power to the state. health care. I was pleased to find out focus mainly on their economic ou know that Azerbaijan’s econo- file complaints on the polling day, Another direction of our activity that in some countries that stepped development, which has a strong Ymy is mainly based on oil and gas. which committee members are bind for the recent three years is the at- on the path of democratization in influence upon the environmental The country gains a lot of money from to consider and examine on the tempt to liberalize the electoral leg- the same time with Russia, the state condition. these resources, and in the two differ- spot. Then, relying on the mate- islation in Russia. Our experts have has already reached the maturity We are participating at this forum ent organizations where I work - the rial about registered violations, we prepared a project called “Election level and is ready for dialogue with for the fourth time already. This is Public Finance Monitoring Center and Ksenia SOKOLOVA, usually try to file complaints to the Code of the Russian Federation”, the independent press, with inde- a very important forum, because it the Azerbaijan-Turkey Business As- project manager, “The Voice”, prosecutor’s office in order to open which would help unify the five fed- pendent organizations. And it in- has opened for Caucasian and for all sociation - we analyze the effective use Association of nonprofit a trial. We have already won some of eral electoral laws into a single doc- spires, strengthens the hope that our Black Sea countries the opportunity of oil and gas revenues in the country. organizations for protection of these trials. ument, to make norms more liberal, work in Russia is for a purpose and to collaborate. During these four years This is my third arrival to the Bucharest rights and freedoms (Russia) However, illegalities are registered to provide more rules that would someday we will come to the same since its establishment, the Forum has Forum and for this time, I made a com- at all stages of the electoral cycle. Un- limit the rights of election commis- constructive dialogue...

8 9 thecountries of the region: ukraine photo: archives

In the modern world, the name of Ukraine is as- sociated with outstanding personalities, like football “EUROPEAN player Andriy Shevchenko (“Golden Ball” winner), the singer Ruslana (Eurovision 2004 winner), football play- ers and coaches Oleg Blokhin (“Golden Ball” winner) and Valeriy Lobanovskiy, the swimmer Yana Klochkova ELDORADO” - champion of the world, Europe and of two Olympiads, The Independence Square in Kiev, or the “Maidan” is a symbol of the new Ukraine the wonder-boxers - Klitschko brothers. Ukrainian cuisine is magnificent; it has an ancient thodox style. The museums of our country hold monu- Vadim KoLESNIchenko, history and covers hundreds of recipes: borsches and ments, which belong to the civilizations of the peoples fritters, loaves and dumplings, curds and sausages, roasts living on the territory of Ukraine in the pre-Christian Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, BSCSIF Vice-President and beverages made of fruits and honey. Particularly times and later - the Scythians, Greeks and others. famous is the Ukrainian borsch: everybody visiting this Museum exhibits of Ukraine represent a centuries- ukraine kraine is a large delightful place must try it out. long history of a land with high spirituality and culture. country with beauti- Ukraine produces the largest aircrafts and cham- ful landscapes and pagne glasses with the biggest capacity. The law en- 39th economy in the world friendly people. A state forcement system solves 90% of the crimes. Though the Our state is among the leading countries in the world in with thousands years national Ukrainian identifier is the well-known “lard”, mineral and sources of raw material. 5% of the world’s of history, where most of the monu- Ukrainians consume it three times the less than, say, the mineral raw-material potential is stored in its earth’s Uments have maintained their splendor Germans. bowels. and beauty till nowadays. It is the Ukrainian hetman Pylyp Orlyk, who in 1710 The country disposes of the largest reserves of man- The total area of Ukraine is 5.7% wrote “Treaty and Covenant of laws and liberties of the ganese ore in the world, about 11% of the world’s re- of Europe, which makes it the largest Zaporozhian Host”, a progressive document at that time, serves; 7% of world reserves of iron ore are concentrated country integrally located on the Eu- which contained items about dividing the power into on its territory. ropean continent. three branches, as well as a regulation of rights and re- According to geological deposits of coal, Ukraine This is a state with a great poten- sponsibilities of government and citizens. ranks first in Europe and eighth in the world. The pros- tial in natural resources and the most The history of Ukraine lists many principalities, pected reserves of this kind of fuel are about 50 billion europe Vadim Kolesnichenko, beautiful women, with a favorable Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, states and empires that existed on its territory. The tons. The forecasted reserves are about 120 billion tons, geopolitical location and charming BSCSIF Vice-President greatest of them was the Kievan Rus, whose story was from brown to best quality anthracites. folk tunes, with thousands of kilometers of mountains continued by the principality of Galicia-Volhynia, after The country is on the fourth place on the continent and wide steppes. The capital of Ukraine - the Hero-City which the Ukrainian lands were dominated by the Great on oil and gas, after Norway, the UK and the Nether- Kiev - is famous for its history and amazing beauty. Lithuanian-Polish Kingdom – the Rzeczpospolita. The lands. There are three oil and gas regions on its territory: The picturesque Carpathians and ancient Crimean Ukrainian land was incorporated into Austro-Hungarian Western, Eastern and Southern. Mountains stretch over the land of Ukraine. The territo- and Russian empires; in the early XX century Ukraine It is worth mentioning that the potential of the Black ry of the state is bounded by Black and Azov Seas, which got through the years of liberation struggle, but, however Sea shelf is estimated at 1.5 billion tons of reference fuel. contributes to the development of port cities, including was included into the Soviet Union. Only by 1991, the the largest ones - Odessa, Kherson, Mykolayiv, Sevas- Ukrainian nation has acquired its independence. topol, Eupatoria, Yuzhne, Kerch, Mariupol, Berdyansk. Monuments of different architectural styles are gath- Kiev. The Monument The country is worldwide known for its resorts. Buk- ered together in Ukraine: from Romanesque fortifica- to St. Vladimir, the ovel ski resort is one of the most appealing and accessible tions to Renaissance castles and palaces of classical style; Grand Duke of Kiev who brought Independence Day august 24, 1991 in Europe. Namely in Carpathians, the Ukrainian gov- temples since the blossom of European Baroque style, Christianity in 988 to Capital Kiev ernment is planning to hold the 2022Winter Olympics. and no less spectacular, the ones made in Eastern Or- Kievan Rus Population 45,8 million people Form of government presidential-parliamentary republic N ot by lard alone President Viktor Yanukovych The Ukrainian language, being also the official one, The Kiev Monastery of the Caves (Kiev Pechersk Lavra), the stronghold of Eastern Orthodoxy Prime Minister Mykola Azarov is famous throughout the world due to such artists of Speaker of Parliament volodymyir Lytvyn the word, as Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko and Lesya Official language Ukrainian Ukrainka: their monuments are installed across the Area 603,628 km ² (45th in the world) whole world. Russian is largely used by the population GDP per capita $ 7,331 and almost every Ukrainian knows it. Currency Ukrainian hryvnia The Ukrainian folk music includes calendar and family Internet TLD .ua, .ukr ritual songs, songs about serfdom and the soldierly every- Calling code +380 day life, historical and lyrical songs accompanied by kobza GMT + 2 or, as they call it today, bandura. The latter represents a musical symbol of Ukraine since the days of the Cossacks.

10 thecountries of the region thecountries of the region

Cuman stone sculptures A great geopolitical importance for Ukraine has its in the gas transportation system; its conduct capacity when The Port of Odessa, one of the The “Swallow’s Nest” Donets bordering Russia is 288 billion cubic meters and when largest on the Black Sea Castle in Crimea steppes bordering Poland, Romania, Belarus and Moldova - Military equipment in the era of innovation 178.5 billion cubic meters. Ukraine is a country with a developed scientific and industrial base. Since May 2008 it has become a member The “European Eldorado” Ruslana, the winner of the World Trade Organization. is primarily a strong agriculture of Eurovision Winner of the The country’s industrial complex includes heavy en- The “Bukovel” Resort in the Carpathian Mountains: Song Contest 2004 Golden Ball, the a potential capital for 2022 Winter Olympics football player gineering, ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, shipbuild- Andriy Shevchenko ing, manufacturing buses, cars, trucks, tractors and other agricultural equipment, locomotives, machine tools, tur- AN-225 Mriya, the biggest and bines, aircraft engines and aircrafts, equipment for power heaviest aircraft plants, petroleum, chemical industries, etc. in the world Several sectors of Ukraine’s economy are marked by a high level of technological development. The production Ukrainian The songs carrier rockets Ukraine ranks first by world’s of Ukraine are as of launch vehicles, satellites and equipment for space reserves of manganese pretty as its girls exploration is reconciled. Ukraine is a major manufac- turer of military equipment - tanks, military transport aircrafts, air defense systems, optical equipment. with 15 power-generator units operate in Ukraine, except H eading for Europe Ukraine’s economy is the 39th largest in the world. for the decommissioned Chernobyl NPP. Becoming independent and perpetuating the European Two boxing geniuses The Klitschko brothers are a unique phenomenon in the world The gross domestic product (purchasing power parity) Ukraine has a developed railway and water transport in- aspirations of the Ukrainian nation, our state is now of professional boxing: Vitali (born in 1971) and Wladimir (born amounts to over 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2010. The frastructure. The favorable geographical position of Ukraine heading for European integration. in 1976) were the first in the history to win the world champion GDP of Ukraine comprises of 32.3% belonging to indus- determines the international transport corridors to cross it. Ukraine became the first CIS country to sign a part- belts in the heavyweight division of all four and most prestigious try, 9.8% to agriculture and 57.9% to services. The con- Ukraine actively supports the European initiatives on nership and cooperation agreement with the European boxing associations - WBC, IBF, WBO , WBA. Vitali (right) got into the Guinness Book as a boxer that spent the least amount solidated budget of Ukraine in the last year amounted to international transport corridors and it suggests to EU Union, which entered into force on March 1, 1998. of rounds for 27 knockouts, breaking Mike Tyson’s record. 49.8 billion U.S. dollars. In 2009, 172.9 billion kilowatt its own models for communication channels. Getting a full membership within the European Union Wladimir was nicknamed as Dr. Steelhammer, for his fantastic / hours of electricity were produces (21th place in the Though Ukraine ranks first in Europe by the tran- was declared a strategic goal of Ukraine and getting the victories in the ring. He won 56 fights in professional boxing. The brothers were born in the family of an Air Force Colonel and world). Its main customers are: Hungary, Poland, Slova- sitivity coefficient, the level of use of transport infra- status of associate member - its main foreign policy priority, a primary school teacher. Both of them started with kickboxing and performed successfully kia, Romania and Moldova. Four nuclear power plants structure is still quite low. The construction of transport all in accordance with a presidential decree issued in 1998. for Ukraine in amateur boxing. Professional fighting started in 1996. Officially, the brothers corridors and their inclusion into the international While adopting a joint strategy on Ukraine, the have never fought one against the other. Both have a PhD in Sport Science. Wladimir takes transport system is recognized as a nation-wide and European Council declared that a successful and stable a great interest in philosophy. Vitali attempted to launch himself in politics and ran even for the mayor of Kiev... The Klitschko brothers, who can be undoubtedly called as the brand of priority direction of development of Ukraine’s transport- Ukraine meets the interests of the European Union. Ukraine, are also known for their charity activity and promotion of healthy lifestyle. road complex. It was emphasized that the full implementation of the Recently, they have been collaborating with the actor and director Sylvester Stallone on the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation is a pre- production of a musical called “Rocky”, based on the 1976 movie awarded with three Oscars. E urope’s breadbasket requisite for a successful integration of Ukraine into the According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organiza- European economy and it will help Ukraine in asserting tion (FAO), Ukraine is a world export leader in various its European identity. at the activities of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea Interna- agricultural crops. It is consistently present amongst the Today, the main forms of cooperation between tional Fund (BSCSIF). First of all, it is appropriate to world’s top ten exporters of sunflower oil and barley and Ukraine and EU are technical assistance, trade and in- develop transfrontier relations on the Black Sea region sometimes even ranked first in the world. vestment activities. The main priorities for assistance ground and to carry out a coherent policy regarding If talking about grains in general, in the 2009/2010 within the TACIS program are nuclear safety and envi- the development of highway and port infrastructure in trade years, Ukraine, with its over 24 million tons, was ronmental protection, restructuring state-owned enter- the region. the fourth exporter in the world (giving way only to the prises, private sector development. In order to develop Ukraine’s Black Sea coast “Zaporozhye Cossacks”, by Ilya Repin U.S., EU and Canada). And a year earlier, Ukraine has In the future, our state hopes to sign agreements on potential, in terms of transit highway, it is planned to even passed ahead of Canada, ranking third. asociate membership with EU and visa facilitation. involve Ukraine actively into the project of the Black Ukraine consistently ranks among the largest export- The rapprochement between Ukraine and European Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) on building a ring ers of beef. Union will be also conditioned by the 2012 European road around the Black Sea. Due to building a bridge 2011’s sugar beet crops, oil yielding crops, vegetables football championship, to be held in our state together across the Kerch Strait, the road between Caucasus and and potatoes had significantly exceeded the volume of with Poland. Balkans and between the Caucasus, Caspian coast and The traditional the previous year. Grains are expected to amount to 50- Central Europe will be significantly shortened. For set of treats 51 million tons, which is 20% more than last year. Ukraine in BSCSIF our country, it is very important to cooperate within One of the monuments In 2012 the land market of Ukraine will start func- Due to its geopolitical position, our country is inter- BSCSIF on exploitation of oil and gas fields located on to Taras Shevchenko, the genius tioning and about 42 million hectares of famous Ukrain- ested in intensifying cooperation in the Black Sea - the Black Sea shelf, as well as to facilitate the access to of Ukrainian poetry ian chernozems will be put on sale. Caspian Sea area. These interests are met by taking part the Caspian oil.

12 13 Esandvent People interview photo: archives NATIONAL SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGING IN A WORLD THE OVERALL OF GLOBALIZATION INTERDEPENDENCE Iulian FOTA, Adviser to the President of Romania Olzhas Suleimenov - a wonderful writer, n a globalized world, countries In Yekaterinburg ships and interdependencies between scientist, statesman, Permanent Representative can solve national security the modern society and information problems only if cooperating, - about the new security. of Kazakhstan to UNESCO in Paris, answers the consulting and exchanging The recent events regarding ex- information on different levels: challenges of the tremism on the European level, dis- questions of “Dialogue of the Seas” magazine between the institutions, regionally Digital Age crimination and intolerance towards Iand internationally. different social, ethnic and religious This was the main idea of the groups cannot be left without repel- 2nd International Meeting of High ability of the international commu- ling, in a civilized Europe. Unfortu- Olzhas Omarovich, what is your per- Moldova and Georgia - have always Representatives Responsible for the nity to respond”. nately, the European history of the ception of the idea of Eurasianism been interdependent and this becomes Security. It was organized and held The rich agenda of the meeting 30s proves that when such factors that you support? To what extent it much easier to understand if taking under the high patronage of the Sec- included such topical issues as the are ignored, having as a background can be implemented into the Black account of the economic and political retary of the Security Council of Rus- fight against extremism and crisis, economic crisis, public demagogy Sea - Caspian Sea region? results of the two decades of formal sia, Nikolai Patrushev. The meeting caused by religious and racial intoler- and populism, threats to the national The idea of an Eurasian Union, independence from each other. was held during September 21-22, in ance, also information security and security can very easily emerge. At launched in 1994 by Nursultan Naz- It is already a task of economists and the Ural’s capital, Yekaterinburg, and food security. During the meetings, European level, these problems are arbayev during an assembly of leaders true politicians from the countries of gathered delegations from 52 coun- an emphasis was also put on the receiving special attention and ade- of CIS countries, turned out to be the the region, to to realize the stated above tries, as well as UN’s representatives. fact that globalization blurs the line quate response: both by national and most viable, inviting and practical of all and to draw conclusions. The results of It has continued and institutionalized between domestic and international European institutions, as well as by Othe integration ideas since the last two first annual reports from the Customs a series of activities, which started in processes and adds to the traditional non-governmental organizations. decades. It also has a future, as Vladimir Union and the Common Economic 2010 with a particular success, dur- threats new challenges to security. Romania recognized its past Putin recently admitted in an interview Space will only facilitate this. ing the first conference as such, held It is already the second time mistakes and assumed the respon- given to “Izvestia” newspaper. The Cus- in Sochi. when I participate at this significant sibility for them. At the first stage, toms Union*), the Common Economic The region is rather motley; it em- At the opening of this confer- and major event. I support en- the government and the parliament Space **) are the practical steps to bodies countries with varied tradi- born in independent states. And “de- ence, the UN Secretary General Ban tirely the initiative of His Excellency have created the necessary institu- implement the Eurasian idea. One may tions and living principles. What are mocracy” translated from Greek is Ki-moon, the President of Russian Nikolai Patrushev. As a regional and tions, the most representative being say that this is an attempt to recreate the odds for democracy and liberal “rule of the people”. As the times have Federation Dmitry Medvedev, the global power, Russia is the right place the National Council for Combating the Soviet Union. My answer is: yes - a reforms here? changed, we are compelled to make an representatives of local and federal to discuss such matters. The confer- Discrimination. It is an autonomous Union. But a one of independent states This so-called independence had a addition to this wording: democracy - authorities addressed to this forum ence provides also the opportunity governmental agency, controlled of Eurasia, states which acknowledged negative impact on education in some it is the rule of enlightened, educated substantial messages. In this sense, for bilateral dialogue. Since we are by the Parliament. It operates as a the interdependence between them and regions. I found out about a study car- people. Only educated people are able to Ban Ki-moon described the event talking about two once neighboring, guarantor of the observance and their neighbors. ried out among pupils of one of the CIS carry out liberal reforms. The societies as a “well-timed and vital”. He men- European countries, Romania will application of non-discrimination And the countries of the Black Sea - countries, not yet from our region. Its that let some forms of tribal, parochial tioned that many achievements with- always be available to make dialogue principle, in accordance with the na- Caspian Sea region cannot simply turn conclusions stated that only 16.3% of minds flourish in their independence in the technological progress caused with Russia, knowing the important tional legislation and international their backs on the future of the Union, pupils at age 15 can read and under- greenhouses, have no room for reforms; economic growth and brought other role of Russia in the management of agreements, in which Romania takes because all of them - Russia, Ukraine, stand the read. This was, on the other what develops there is the decay energy, social benefits, but also led to the international order. This conference part. Also, the anti-discrimination Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, hand, out of the question during Soviet which hasn’t yet perished since the growth of criminality, including in is also a chance to promote the mul- legislation was approved, including a Union, the return to which so many USSR collapse, where the tops and at the sphere of information. The mu- tilateral dialogue on security issues. special law, which stipulates punish- politicians are afraid of. Three years the masses were used to see only nega- tual, global interaction in the field of *) Customs Union is composed of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyr- During this conference, I have ment for Holocaust denial. The next gyzstan and Russia. later, the main tool of democracy - the tive in the word “Union”. In such socie- security can prevent “the globaliza- spoken twice: on the fight against **) This economical integration project between Belarus, right to elect and be elected will be ties, their own union of social classes tion of the threat prevailing upon the extremism and the nature of relation- Continued on page 25 Kazakhstan and Russia enters into force in 2012. handed to these uneducated citizens and ethnic groups is at risk.

14 15 interview interview

What, in your opinion, hinders the how the countries of the region per- Namely this process should be closely or initiatives are promoted in an ac- by the states to implement this global development of economic and ceive the idea of EAC and the attitude monitored and supported by the coun- tive way by Kazakhstan? project. cultural cooperation in the region? towards Russia itself depend largely on tries of the region. Both Russia and The answer to this question will require What can be the catalyst for this col- Russia. I hope that political elite and the Kazakhstan participate actively in SCO a lot of time and writing in the maga- As for your personal activities, what laboration? Russian leadership are fully aware of it. (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). zine. In economical and political terms are you currently working on? Can Basically, what prevents it is particularly many integration ideas are expressed you give us a little more details the misinterpretation of independ- What is the role of Kazakhstan and You are a historian, a Turkic culture and supported by Kazakhstan, starting about your linguistic encyclopedia? ence as a method of isolation from its closest neighbors in stabilizing researcher. How would you describe with the Eurasian Union. I have been working for more than neighbors, the denial of an alliance with the still unsecure situation in the the situation in the Turkic-speaking In political terms – the whole world forty years over a universal etymo- them. The period of independence has region? countries? What is the reason for is aware of the Anti-Nuclear Policy of logical dictionary of “1001 words”, been a gift from God to all of us, given the philosophy of the acknowledged Thankfully, Kazakhstan continues to Turkish influence strengthening and Kazakhstan, for already 22 years. The where I collected the words of the first to make us understand our interde- interdependence as a political, econom- be the most internally peaceful country what are its consequences in cultural first Soviet anti-nuclear movement “Ne- languages of Eurasia since the IV mil- pendence and the science of its future ical and cultural factor. in the region. For over twenty years we and civilizational terms? vada-Semipalatinsk” managed to stop lennium BC and analyzed them using development. The entire evolution of I am sure that the acknowledgement didn’t have any interethnic or interreli- Turkey is no such danger to the states testing procedures at Semipalatinsk a new etymology method. These words humanity is divided into three phases: of the overall interdependence is the ba- gious conflicts. There are some strikes, of the region. The Turkish influence is, and Novaya Zemlya by the end of 1989. have survived and reached even the from the times of somebody’s suprem- sic condition for the humanity to survive. but these can be identified as regular neither in politics nor in economics, no On August 29, 1991, President Nursul- modern languages, which are, so far, acy, through the independence period, signs of capitalism. The government greater than, say, of China or Russia. It tan Nazarbayev, by the issued decree, divided by the scientists into different towards the era of acknowledged inter- As a politician, how do you evaluate is still able to smoothen out the rough ceased to be Ottoman Empire long time closed the Semipalatinsk test site, this language families. For instance, there dependence. the odds and prospects for the Cus- edges. I think that this condition of ago and now it’s a country bequeathed being the beginning of an international are very many Turkic and Slavic words We are standing now at the very toms Union of Belarus, Russia and stability in Kazakhstan’s society helps to by Ataturk to join the Europe. But it moratorium on nuclear testing: in 1992 with common origin. Hopefully, soon threshold of this third phase. And Kazakhstan? realize a balance between the inter-state is not let in. Some politicians tend to the Nevada test site quieted down. Next I’ll start publishing separate chapters of the growing rhythm of implementing First of all, I support the Customs Un- relations in the region. Our motto goes exaggerate the influence of the “Turkish was the French test site on the Mururoa the dictionary. The new etymology will integration ideas, such as the Eurasian ion (CU). And I hope that the closing like this: “A good foreign policy is, first factor”. atoll in the Pacific and in 1996 - the help the overall linguistics to enter into Union, comes to confirm that. figures of the first year will encourage and foremost, a good internal one”. Broadly speaking, the cultural Chinese Lop Nur test site. a new stage of development. And I am The Europe – China autobahn, this position. I am sure that CU par- relations are traditional and mild. In UN has proclaimed August 29 - the confident to say that. which allows shortening the time of ticipants understand the responsibility What role can the Chinese factor some republics they are quite reduced International Day against Nuclear Tests. turnover by three times, is already in of their first steps, meaning that the play in the region? because of political divergences, that And in cultural terms, the ini- Have you continued to write po- the process of construction. This seg- whole world would be keeping an eye China is on the rise. Its presence makes being the case of, first of all, Turkic- tiatives of Kazakhstan are going on a etry? What plans do you have in this ment, belonging to the restoration of on these steps, especially the co-friends itself increasingly felt in all countries speaking ones. And religion-wise, the global scale. The 36th session of UN- regard? Silk Road, will be laid without trip- from CIS. of the world. Its quite obvious presence Turkish influence is way behind the ESCO’s General Conference has just I don’t have enough time for poems. ping over iron curtains and borders. A in the Caspian area started since 1998, Saudi and doesn’t threat the traditional finished with a unanimous voting for The dictionary takes away all my free similar road is planned to be set from What kind of trajectories can Russia during crisis. Both Russia and Kazakh- norms of faith, established in Azerbai- our proposal to proclaim the next dec- time. Yet, poetry is not just poems. It Europe to India - through Central Asia, expect in its relations with the coun- stan, as the closest neighbors of China, jan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. ade (2013-2022) as the Decade for the manifests in all genres and in all mat- Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will help tries of the region? Will it maintain will perpetually feel its forthcoming Rapprochement of Cultures. ters, which I’m involved in. And the restoring peace in these areas. its influence? proximity. It is important for it not A few words about your activity as During the ten coming years, the “Nevada-Semipalatinsk” is my poem. But to make it happen, it is neces- The present and the future of the Eura- turning into some kind of dependence, a Permanent Representative of Ka- education system, science and culture So are the “1001 words” and my diplo- sary to develop in every possible way sian Union (EAC) and, particularly, but evolving into interdependence. zakhstan to UNESCO. What projects of all the countries will be encouraged matic activity...

Eurasia’s Hemingway anti-nuclear march. In the same month Suleimenov whole world was a better place today”. and regions, Suleimenov has a propensity for The Kazakh writer shows concern about the “book proposed to the Supreme Soviet of USSR to adopt Poet, writer, public speaker, Olzhas Suleimenov universality. The world’s most famous Kazakh says crisis”, which is “a result of Internet and other “Who is today the most famous and the most popular a resolution, according to which a Soviet-American was, in 1983, the first secretary of the Writers’ about Kazakh national identity in this way: “In the electronic forms of communication, alienating young Kazakh? I would like to interview him” – this is what moratorium on nuclear testing was to be signed and, Union of Kazakhstan. As a Russian-speaking writer, early twentieth century, Kazakhs constituted a people from the printed word... This is especially I said, with a slight impudence, to my new friends in this way, on October 19, 1989 Moscow ceased the he published in 1975 a sensational book called fairly large ethnic group: about 6,5 million people, dangerous in places like Kazakhstan, where writing in Alma-Ata. It was several years before the USSR nuclear testing. In Semipalatinsk, because of more “AZ-i-IA”, which drew severe criticism from Soviet according to the 1926 census. In the Soviet period, is a relatively new culture. The Eastern Slavs and collapsed and it was a must for me to visit the Kazakh than 450 executed nuclear explosions, the soil and conservatives who accused the author of “chauvinism” Kazakhs were evolving as a nationality and became Kazakhs, adds he, have the same mentality. We are Soviet republic, where the Semipalatinsk nuclear test people were contaminated with radiation. and “glorification of the feudal nomadic culture”. a part of the Soviet nation, as citizens of the so, because of our history, for we lived together for site and Baikonur Cosmodrome were. I didn’t manage At that time, Olzhas Suleimenov was already a well- Kunayev, the first secretary of the Communist Party USSR. Then, on December 21, 1991, we witnessed centuries. We have the same understanding of good to go there, but I did manage to take an interview. known figure not only in Kazakhstan but also in the of the republic, had personally pleaded for the writer the emergence of a new state – the Republic of and bad. And this proximity will allow us to avoid Olzhas Suleimenov, a person with a keen intellect and whole Union. In May 1989, the Soviet deputy became in front of Brezhnev and vindicated his freedom to Kazakhstan, where Kazakh nation was born”. Kazakh conflicts; will help us to solve common problems”. a volcanic temper, theorist and writer, was actively a member of the Constitutional Commission created write. After 1991, the book was published in other nation, says Suleimenov, faces big challenges. Some have compared Suleimenov to Hemingway: involved in a wide range of social activities, was by the first Congress of Deputies and headed by languages, too. At the presentation of the Ukrainian “Kazakh language must be enriched with new by virtue of writing, by the plenitude of vital “on the crest of the wave” and in some time after Gorbachev. The Commission had to elaborate the text issue, Suleimenov expressed his disagreement with words, able to express new political, scientific and energy, but, at the same time, by simplicity. And our meeting he launched a worldwide anti-nuclear to a new Constitution, which would have transformed the idea that the book allegedly played a key role in cultural ideas. They need to be introduced with also, physically: the way I knew him in the 80s, I can campaign and established a “Nevada-Semipalatinsk” the USSR into a Confederation, a formation similar the crash of the Soviet Union. “I never wanted this moderation, as forcing this process could jeopardize tell - they looked alike. Suleimenov was involved in movement, which demanded to shut down two to the present European Union, based on the union to happen, he said in Kiev, and wouldn’t wish for my our young statehood... In Kazakhstan one can see big deeds of humanity, just like Hemingway, which nuclear test sites. The movement was constituted of the ex-soviet republics that received the status book to be perceived this way”. more mosques than schools. Hence, there should be makes him a fearless fighter for human dignity and on February 28, 1989, and on August 6, 59.000 of of independent states. “Would it have happened - Recognized for his merits not only in his republic, a balance between religion and knowledge, we must unpolluted planet in all its glory. Soviet citizens participated in an unprecedented Suleimenov is to tell later – than CIS, Eurasia and the but also in all the Russian speaking countries think about the future of our people”. C.V.

16 17 ideasand reople ideasand reople photo: archives

drops down, while the share of its posed tariffs, which is why making neighboring countries increases. For commerce with it is less predictable. instance, after turning the volume of Of course, we take into considera- trade exchanges into freely convert- tion that advanced negotiations on ible currency, Romanian exports Russia joining WTO are in progress registered the highest level within and, on the other hand, so are the the Russian commerce for 2010; negotiations with the EU to create a for the first time it has surpassed common economic space. As today, the billion dollar mark. Apparently, Romania is not only an EU member, this year, the figure will rise to one but also a Member of the European billion and a half... A similar situ- Economic Area, which also includes ation is reflected in the commerce non-EU countries like Norway and Switzerland. In case Russia joins this For Mircea TOADER, foreign economic relations of Romania and especially with Russia are his area, it will have to follow certain lifework. He was assigned to work in this field in Bucharest, Warsaw and Moscow, and until 2010 he rules, which will make its actions has been Director General of the Ministry of Economy of Romania. Now he is an Adviser to “Mechel Service” in Bucharest. more predictable. For there still are concerns, reason why economic agents do not run the risk of invest- The potential is great ing into Russian market, risk such as fear of not getting paid, of dealing but not fully used with companies that may become bankrupt and vanish... Unexpected evolutions with Ukraine, which means that we Furthermore, there are certain oday, it is very important to are returning to the pre-crisis level. legal subtleties. Russia and the CIS discuss the issues of this re- In case of other countries from the countries have a legal status that gion that we in Romania also region like Georgia and Azerbaijan differs from EU’s. Moldova’s foreign Tcall “the extended Black Sea”, which exchanges are not very large, but the relations are largely facilitated by implies that the Caspian countries growth rate is unchanged. agreements made with EU to grant are also included. it with trade privileges with EU. WHAT HINDERS Taken together, the countries D ifferent rules, different Similar agreements with EU has of the region have an exceptional standards Ukraine, which is why its metal- economic potential, and, make no The following question is certainly lurgical production, for example, mistake, the economic relations still valid: despite the great potential may enter the EU market without BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT between them as a whole do not of the region why isn’t it used the restrictions, just based on statistical reflect this potential. Yet, if we look way it should be? And there are sev- customs declarations, while similar at certain countries, we will find eral reasons for that. production from Russia can enter interesting, unexpected evolutions, The first is - differences between the market only on the basis of the IN THE REGION? for which preliminary estimates the countries. There are EU mem- allocated quotas... were less optimistic. The financial ber states. And relations between There are obstacles that involve and economic crisis has certainly them are developed without any differences in standards applied out- left its mark on the development customs or frontier restrictions. side the EU, such as in the electricity In this issue, we undertook the first attempt to identify the unfavorable of all countries in the region. For Meanwhile, non-EU countries like sector. EU agreed to validate certain circumstances that hinder the normal development of entrepreneurship and example, in 2009 we have witnessed Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, deal with parameters on its territory, while a significant downturn in the eco- problems regarding the quality of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova do collaboration between the countries of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea region. nomic relations between these relations between them and the not participate at these agreements, We asked well-known personalities from different countries, specialized in countries. But later, in 2010 and in EU. Another problem that arises in therefore, when these countries sup- the first half of 2011, very encourag- relations with, for instance, Russia, ply EU with electricity, technical economics, law, business and diplomacy to give us an opinion on this matter. ing trends were filed. We can even is the fact that Russia is not yet a difficulties come out. The International Fund of the Black and Caspian Seas puts a great effort say that during the current year the WTO member. This allows Russia to Finally, there are problems into building bridges of economic cooperation in this region and will keep volume of trade exchanges between change, depending on the situation, caused by the lack of knowledge that I Romania and the countries of the the rules of the game without con- firms and companies have when it constant tack of this problematic in order to help overcoming the existing region had a higher growth rate sulting in advance its partners, for comes to the region in general and than within its relations with EU in WTO you cannot change customs partners in particular. That is why, obstacles and to enable the enormous potential of cooperation in full. This countries. Moreover, the share of tariffs, for example. But Russia is for example, Romanian production being said, we invite our readers to join this discussion. the EU in Romania’s foreign trade not obliged to comply with the im- follows the already familiar path

18 19 ideasand reople

Further. There was a big fuss is often impossible to do otherwise concerning corruption at the Ro- than to transport goods by sea. After manian customs, and probably, it is all, Russia didn’t manage to become no accident that EU postponed the a convenient transit state through acceptance of Bulgaria and Romania which one can transport cargos fast, to the Schengen Area. Recently, our efficient and not too expensive; I Poor transportation and customs infrastructure is a genuine scourge for many countries newspapers wrote that as long as our think this is a very big problem for of the Black and Caspian Seas The investments of the French consortium “Renault” into streets offer contraband cigarettes Russia, as we could have raised con- the car factory from Pitesti (Romania) for the production of Customs toll-gates - “Logan “cars continue on the level of regional cooperation from Ukraine and Moldova, it is too siderable means for both budget and a classical obstacle to business early to think about Schengen. Oth- business by transporting goods and Bulgaria and Romania have not yet passed development the exam for joining the Schengen zone erwise, the same will happen on the cargos. This requires an accurate The rail-ferries “Avangard” streets of Budapest or Berlin... and coherent work. But we don’t and “Slavyanka” started to Europe. It is not by coincidence Cyprus, where Russian companies If we talk about the climate for have it, as we don’t have an appro- regular routes between the ports of “Caucasus” (Russia) to find in all post-Soviet countries also create their offshore. New play- doing business, then in countries of priate Customs Service in the first and “Varna” (Bulgaria) goods from Romania: furniture, ers from Russian Federation emerge the region it is variably opportune, but place. The main obstacle is the over- shoes, clothing, fabrics, which in- on the Romanian market - a leading unfortunately, still very much depend- bureaucratization of our economy stead of being delivered directly, go Russian company purchased OMV ent on the political situation in the and of the state as a whole. through Italy and Germany first. Petrom shares, a worldwide famous country, on those who are in power... We are talking about, for instance, company “Kaspersky” has also made It is necessary to invest Business related to factories in Romania, built by Ital- its entrance here. in transport real estate purchase ians. Small firms in Romania are not The world is in motion. Who Further, the investments into trans- on the Black Sea coast is often not protected able to make adequate marketing, would have thought a few years ago, port and communication system from fraud do not know how to promote their that Romania will lay an underwater are insufficient. Now, what do I products on the market, which is pipeline in order to supply the Olym- mean by this? Let’s take Russia and tool for the development of bilateral commodity turnover, to the econom- why they use logistics of Western pic city of Sochi with gas? And yet, Bulgaria. Broadly speaking, we have economic relations. ic relations. But as it is considered firms. Their revenues could have it is already being done by a group got more or less regular ferries from today, we need to decide somehow been higher if there was a direct of Romanian companies, headed by Russia, more or less regular flights, T he visa problem quicker what to do. There are some commerce. U-Petrom (Ploiesti). but only in the recent years. As, cur- There are also some visa limitations. environmental concerns. On the Romania’s relations with the coun- rently, the development of business, The visa regime, say, with Bulgaria other hand, there are professional W orld in motion tries of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea tourism, business communication and Romania creates a problem, project appraisals given by major If analyzing things backwards, we region are also stimulated by foreign is still hampered by the transport which may be not as serious for the international companies, there are should consider investments made investments made in Romania. Thus, system. This is a very important cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, high technologies offered by large by Eastern partners in Romania. Romania supplies Russia, the former issue. In order to promote routes, where consular services are ren- companies; these allow, if generally There is certain reservedness in this “Moskvich”-AZLK factory, with com- ferries and flights it is necessary dered quickly enough, as it might be speaking, minimizing environmental sector. To prove it, we shall take ponents to assemble “Logan” vehicles, Gennady GUDKOV, to get substantial funding, reliable for the regions of Russia, where no risks and eliminating them altogeth- deputy at the State Duma of Russian official Romanian statistics which as a result of investments made by Federation, Deputy Chairman to the State contractors and suppliers. It is the such service exists. This also hinders er. The decisions on the economic shows that the Russian Federa- “Renault” in Romania. And these Duma Security Committee absence of such constant evolu- business trips, business communica- and political level have to be made tion has invested in Romania half supplies make up the lion’s share of tion that impedes the development tion and development of joint pro- faster, for, if dashing aside – first you a billion dollars at most. But if you Romanian exports to Russia. The damaging of our relations with Romania and jects and so on. build, then you don’t build anymore look closely at the major players in Bulgaria. Therefore, we should think I think that these negative as- (here I have in mind, unfortunately, the Russian market, then you will C ontroversial tenders of attracting considerable invest- pects can be removed. We must the Bulgarian party) – it will have discover that these investments Of course, there is one more serious circumstances ments to launch these mechanisms, work hard and do it consistently, an impact on other aspects of our are much larger and reach two bil- obstacle to the normal development which will further ensure a balanced then, long-term communication business. Still, it is necessary for lion. And it’s explainable, because of business in general, and in the can be eliminated evolution. For example, today we channels will be created, as well as more consistency from the Russian large Russian companies came to region discussed, in particular. It certainly need to demand for the ac- long-term projects and long-term party, as well as from our closest Romania not as Russian investors, is corruption. For example, in the O ver-bureaucratization tive participation of Bulgarian com- prospects to advance our coop- partners. I may not know very much but as Swiss (“Mechel”) or Dutch case of tenders on public investment t is quite clear that we should panies at “Sochi-2014” project, as eration. And not just in the energy about economic relations with Tur- (“Lukoil”) investors. Hence, it turns or providing services to the state, I mention in the first place the bu- for Russia it is too expensive to hold field, which is on the whole, impor- key, but, as the coordinator of the out that the Netherlands is the main don’t know of a case where the firm reaucratic hurdles. Our country there huge construction facilities, tant, too. Parliamentary Friendship Group investor in Romania. The truth is that came second, hasn’t contested Iis stuffed with institutions, where which afterwards will become a bur- Bulgaria-Russia, I do understand the that Netherlands provides a range the results of the tender in court. registering goods, cargos, transit den. On the other hand, Bulgarian Black Sea transit relations with Bulgaria - the problem of benefits to those who create cer- In the end, it only slows down the transportation is being done at an builders, contractors and subcon- oil-pipeline: yes or no? must be solved and can be solved. tain institutions there. The same implementation of the investment, extremely low rate: first of all, we tractors could do a good job there. I I think that the Novorossiysk-Bur- For, in the next decades, the system circumstances explain the leading because it is necessary to wait for can refer to port facilities. Since our think it would be also an advantage gas-Aleksandroupoli pipeline will of hydrocarbon transportation will position on the Romanian market of the court’s decision. infrastructure is underdeveloped it for Russia: it would be an additional also contribute significantly to our become broader.

20 21 ideasand reople ideasand reople

Small and Medium to create a joint coordinating anti- in many fields: from agriculture, of delegates required to attend cooperation and security in the Enterprises fraud center in the economic sphere, banking and finance to information a meeting is half the member Black Sea region. Even if these The main problem here is the ex- which would include investigative technology and fighting against countries plus one, i.e. seven). meetings and consultations cessive control over small and very committees of Russia and Bulgaria, organized crime and terrorism. As for the “frozen conflicts”, examine economic or other small enterprise. Quite unexpectedly, even some coordinating institu- Despite the diversity of its they are to some extent an obstacle problems that do not fit into Russia began to narrow down the tions from the Ministries of Internal member countries, the organization to cooperation within BSEC. As political and security problems, the limit of foreign purchases made by its Affairs, experts from other agen- seeks and finds common priorities, such, they cannot be addressed mere fact of gathering at a table citizen’s to, I think, fifteen hundred cies. The procedures ought to be which are further implemented in a within BSEC, as its charter, which representatives of member states dollars. I understand that this is a efficient; they should protect both variety of projects in transport and entered into force in 1999, does that have no diplomatic relations way of encouraging citizens to buy Russian investors and our foreign trade, “green” energy, support for not provide such authority to the or have serious political or other clothes, shoes, technology and food countries contractors in Russia. By small and medium enterprises, etc. organization. On the other hand, problems between their states, in their country, but this is absolutely the way, an agreement that ensures BSEC’s conceived institutional makes the organization capable to wrong. By this, you just set a thresh- mutual security of investments was T he weak points framework and format refer to contribute to the development of old on how much money a citizen signed between Chambers of Com- Traian CHEBELEU, Deputy Secretary BSEC is certainly still far from the development of economic cooperation and trust climate and General of the Organization of the Black Sea can spend abroad... merce of Bulgaria and Russia, there- Economic Cooperation (Istanbul) being able to use all its potential cooperation on regional level, facilitates the discussion of complex However, microenterprise is fore, this agreement must be filled in order to stimulate and promote which is to be realized by means of issues between the member thus. When talking about small and with content and it would be very cooperation between member Foreign Affairs Ministries (Council countries, and not necessarily medium businesses it is required to good if the governments and parlia- BSEC: through countries. Sometimes, its activity of Foreign Affairs Ministers is a within the organization, but during have guarantees from all parties. I ments of both countries supported is marked by conflicts between forum, where decisions are being of its events, too. In this way, BSEC can say that today, the mechanisms this cooperation as it is a crucial conflicts to the participating countries, thing made) and carry a tremendous contributes to enhancing security of legal services are unfortunately not moment for the clarity and transpar- that has repeatedly blocked the potential for conducting political in the region. efficient. For example, Bulgaria has ency of relations. Eliminating the climate of trust activity of BSEC’s bodies. But dialogue between member states. On the other hand, the increas- registered a lot of frauds lately, that impediments that I have listed leads political conflicts, respectively, This political dimension reveals ing share of BSEC’s operational is, abuses of Russian small business to a significant improvement of both irst of all, a few words about “frozen conflicts” are just one of BSEC’s added value in the region dimension in this sense can only investments, which already are, on bilateral and regional cooperation. the Organization of the Black the reasons that hinder BSEC’s when compared to other initiatives be welcomed. It means pragma- top of all, so poorly protected and do Sea Economic Cooperation activity. A considerable part of the on regional cooperation from the tism and mutual interaction when not have public support. I think that C orruption: Russia lags F(BSEC). It was established at Tur- activity of 20 working groups is not Black Sea basin. implementing concrete projects of it is necessary to adjust the system behind key’s initiative in 1992, based on effective, and sometimes there is a common interest, which are capa- of criminal penalties for frauds; they Unfortunately, corruption is a more the idea of a closer multilateral eco- lack of interest at the political level The added value of BSEC ble to enhance the prosperity and are mostly vitiating the climate and typical phenomenon for the Rus- nomic cooperation between Black coming from some member states The platform of multilateral well-being of people. Joint projects, spirits of cooperation. This problem sian party, if frankly speaking. In the Sea countries that would favor the towards a particular workgroup. meetings and consultations, especially when they prove to be exists both in Russia and Bulgaria. countries of the Black Sea basin a lot consolidation of peace and stabil- Some of the meetings had to be relatively frequent and ongoing successful, give rise to common And in my opinion, it also requires has been done to reduce corruption. ity in this region. The organization canceled repeatedly, due to the at different levels, such as BSEC interests and may gradually create some political effort, efforts of offi- Bulgaria and Romania are persistent- brings together six coastal states quorum failure (minimum number is, carries a big importance for adequate conditions for settling, cials of both countries. I had person- ly striving against it - these countries and other six states - their clos- through dialogue, the disputes ally gone through such a situation have seriously pulled themselves up. est neighbors: Albania, Armenia, and disagreements between mem- and I can say that the justice system There is no doubt that this problem Azerbaijan, Greece, Moldova and ber states. is extremely slow, for instance, the exists there too, but it is not as un- Serbia. In addition to that, thir- In conclusion, I would like to anti-fraud system in Bulgaria. While heeded as in Russia, where the level teen countries including seven EU say that BSEC, as the most compre- the number of defrauded Russians of corruption and embezzlement member states have observer status. hensive organization of the Black is unfortunately growing, it is neces- is just beyond the common sense. The same status was attached to the Sea region, carries a great respon- sary to undertake measures regard- To solve this, we can use as well the European Commission. sibility. Strengthening the coopera- ing guarantees and protection of experience of Black Sea countries, Over time, the organization tion in the region through BSEC’s investments of small and very small which, influenced by the European has acquired a rather complicated mechanisms is what brings direct enterprises, particularly in the Black Union also, have done a lot to ensure structure: government agencies, economic benefits to participant Sea countries, as it is basically related the transparency of the state, of the Permanent International Secre- countries, contributing simultane- to real estate, to the purchase of small family income, the transparency tariat, Parliamentary Assembly, ously to the development of trust, shares in hotels, apartments etc. of transaction, of tenders. In my an international bank, a business all of which leads, in turn, to the opinion we have a lot to learn from council and research institute, as consolidation of stability and secu- A nti-Fraud Center them. And as sad as it sounds - they well as two development funds ca- rity in the region. This meets the This is a very serious problem; it is are ahead of us, a fact confirmed by pable of financing small projects of common interests of the Black Sea enough for one bad example to start international organizations ratings. common interest. region and neighboring territories, replicating, which of course, dam- This issue is very sensitive for every Over the 19 years of its exist- especially of the Caspian region, as ages dozens or even hundreds of foreign investor that opens a business ence, BSEC has turned into a forum BSEC is primarily about searching for common interests and priorities, which helps to consolidate well as of the international commu- transactions. I think it is necessary in Russia... for discussion and cooperation the climate of trust in the region nity as a whole.

22 23 ideasand reople regionalnews

lack crediting in the economic sector, begin at once to support the opposite services sector, etc. is the cause for not side. This background causes a lot of Breakthrough Agreements Bosphorus II, investing, not creating jobs. As a con- tension and will, in fact, also influence the project sequence, many businesses are driven the economic factors. on Caspian gas into even a bigger thralldom and the It is also necessary to mention that of the century risk of not being able to pay the loan is the region’s energy market is heteroge- uring a recent visit of the President of Turkey is going to build a new channel practically growing. neous: there are different price levels. Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Turkey, a set of agreements on gas was signed between connecting the Black and Marmara Seas In Romania, the banks speculate D While we apply in Romania the market these two countries, which finally solved the and relieving ship traffic within the a lot on the purchase of government’s prices similar to the ones of Europe issues regarding the cost and volume of gas Bosphorus Strait. treasury bills, convinced that they will petroleum products, in Ukraine they supplies to Turkey starting with 2017; here The new channel, which will be named always win-over their privileges form are lower. Different levels of taxation. was also signed a transit agreement on the Istanbul, will be built in the European part the state, which is not the case of the This situation stimulates black market transportation of gas to the European Union. of the largest Turkish city and seaport. Its These agreements apply to the second stage emergence. Why is the question of width is planned to be of 150 m, depth – 25 of the exploitation of Shah Deniz field situated m, length – 45 km. The estimated daily Constantin TAMPIZA, Representative of OJSC “Lukoil” President in Romania creating equal conditions always being on the continental platform of the Caspian Sea, throughput is up to 160 vessels, including which begins in 2016. Azerbaijan is ready to sell raised? Because there shouldn’t be any the largest ones. The main task of the new to Turkey 6 billion cubic meters of gas per year Systemic and regional risks gates for the black market to enter. But, waterway is to decongest the traffic on the and to transport through its territory 10 billion once the taxes and prices are not the Bosphorus, one of the narrowest straits cubic meters to Europe. oday, the business development economic agent. The economy will same, it emerges. As for the price of gas to be delivered to Turkey during the first stage of this field’s exploitation, in the world, and to minimize the risk of may face obstacles on several start to recover only when the banks In terms of regional cooperation, it will remain unchanged until 2018. On a new price within this stage, The State Oil Company of environmental pollution. The project will be levels: on the European level, will start a normal financing activity large investors from Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and BOTAS (Turkish state company) came to agree in June 2010. completed by 2023. Tmeaning - systemic risk, on regional again. But lately, banks are very cau- Kazakhstan are already working in Upon that, Turkey has agreed to pay the price difference for imported Azerbaijani gas since However, the experts note that the emergence of an alternative route in the and local levels. tious when financing the real economy. Romania. Russian business is well rep- April 15, 2008. Eventually, by the end of the first quarter of 2011, BOTAS has paid off in full its debt to Baku, amounting $ 1.4 billion. Black Sea could create legal conflicts around Objectively speaking, Romania This is alarming. This is the source of resented in the metallurgy sector... To In the meantime, BOTAS and SOCAR are to create a consortium for the export of natural gas the Montreux Convention, which maintains has the necessary conditions for doing many existing problems in the country. sum up, I wouldn’t see any obstacles to from Shah Deniz II into the EU. As for the long-term, it is being planned to raise the extraction the balance of naval forces in the Black Sea business. As for the last two years, it is But, again, this is not a purely Roma- the market development in Romania. up to 50 billion m3 per year and to export most of the gas volume to Europe. Still, in order to basin, and proceeds from the fact that there necessary to look through the prism of nian phenomenon. And to those who are afraid to open a accomplish that, it is necessary to build a new pipeline or to work through Nabucco and TAP is only one way to the Black Sea: through the general European situation. With regard to the Black Sea-Cas- business here, I would say: Romania is projects. Meanwhile, SOCAR is doing export of natural gas for five countries. the Bosphorus. The first thing that an investor pian Sea region, in terms of geopolitics, a very promising market. For all that, needs today is political, economic, fi- there is in here a struggle for resources, it’s more than 20 million people. Try nancial and even social stability. Look which became an object to large invest- finding another one like that. Continued from page 14 policies and measures. Under the nance effect within the virtual en- at what is happening in Europe today. ments. Recently, “Lukoil” got a tender Here is another interesting aspect step was the development of a new present circumstances, where the vironment. If someone puts a racist This is typical for Romania, too: any for two ranges on the Black Sea con- concerning our relations with the West- civic stand, where education and safety of the information space suf- comment, then the possibility that measures aimed at improving the finan- tinental platform. Of course, “Lukoil” ern countries. For example, Romania culture play a key role. The most fers from the crisis of determination other comments would be at least as cial condition and budgets meet social is interested in consolidating its posi- has EU projects that must be realized significant sphere is the fight against precise parameters and regulations, racist, is very high, as emerges the resistance. This goes as a response to tion in the region, where it has three using EU funds. Do you think that anti-Semitism: currently, in Bucha- the efforts of the Russian Federation effect of public consent on such a many unpopular measures taken lately: oil refineries - in Burgas, Ploiesti and Romania is the only one to blame for rest, there is a National Monument to propose such a subject for discus- discourse, which leads to the emer-

reducing the cost of the administrative Odessa. But the chances to succeed are the fact that only 7% of these funds are to Jews and Gypsies, the victims of sions and to make, in parallel, con- gence of discrimination in the virtu- newsregional staff, cutting down pensions... These one to five. Therefore, there are risks, being used? The truth is the conditions General Antonescu’s fascist regime. crete proposals on an international al environment and, subsequently, to substantial risks stimulate the opposi- but also an obvious resource potential. created do not allow to get the adequate We lecture about this in schools, level regarding the establishment cyber-hate. The boundary between tion in carrying out all kinds of activities And look what a political com- funding. Instead, the Western banks to the younger generations, so they of generally accepted regulations in cyber-hate and freedom of speech fraught with destabilization. petition is being held in the Caspian located here begin funding state budget would avoid making mistakes when this sphere, are worthy of praise. is not clear, but we should establish Such a context raises a question: region. One of the most critical situa- projects, by requiring not the standard facing such challenges. The diver- In order to define even more some educational and legal tools to what will happen with the national tions is related to the construction of 0,5% interest rate, but 1,5% or 2%. This sity, including the ethnic one, adds clearly the interdisciplinary char- fight against extremism, including currency? What is the inflation rate? a gas pipeline on the Caspian Sea bot- is called lobbying for big banking capi- charm and at the same time, value to acter of the unsteady, blurred in the virtual environment. Every investor, when realizing that the tom: from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan tal of the West. I say it objectively, and Romania, as well as to Europe. boundaries of national security For the issues analyzed are topi- country has large budget debts, thinks and further to the West. There are two some people need to think about it. As The information and com- components, we would like to men- cal and substantial and the audience that at a certain point the country competing projects: it’s “Nabucco”, the Western banks find it very profitable munication systems have become tion that information security has a – competent and cosmopolitan, might become insolvent. Here, only which is being seen by the European to finance not the national economy the nervous center of our society, direct connection with extremism, the International Meetings of High two options are possible: either the Union as an alternative to bypass Rus- and its private sector, but the state. In without which it can no longer exist. which generates such concepts as Representatives Responsible for the default is being declared or the national sia, and the Russian “South Stream”. this way, the state is forced to use this The more informatized society, the “cyber-extremism” and “cyber-hate”. Security, under the high patronage currency is being devalued. And the competition takes different financing on, say, highways and other more ensuring the security of the Today, the extremism is spreading of the Russian Federation Security What about the condition of the shapes. Everyone observes Russia’s po- things, which were meant to be financed information space should become a online too, and we need now, more Council, become genuine platforms banking sector? As the volume of bad sition on the Nagorno-Karabakh con- through the European Union. That be- major concern for all those involved than ever, to limit the authoriza- for discussions and exchange of ide- loans increased, the requirements to flict. Where Russia begins, for instance, ing said, there is no such thing as disin- in this, including the elaboration tion for self-expression specific to as, vital for the international security receive a loan got tougher. And the to support one side, the other players terested economic relations... and implementation of adequate extremism in order to avoid its reso- cooperation.

24 25 BSCSIFCHRONICLE BSCSIFCHRONICLE TEXT AND PHOTO: VYACHESLAV SAMOSHKIN

One of the Fund’s major “acquisitions”: the THE FUND OF TWO SEAS Romanian industrial group UTI, dealing with information technology has joined it. Its Vice- President, Mihai GRADINARU (see photo) explained his company’s demarche in this way: IS GAINING MOMENTUM “I think that our membership within this Fund will give us a great opportunity to contribute to its activity, but if talking about prospects as a M eetings in Moscow commercial agent, then we will help improving the economic relations between the countries of the Black and Caspian seas. This decision fits into the philosophy of our business and strategy, aimed at our development as an economic company in the Black and Caspian Seas area, on the Caucasus and Central Asia. For T he representative of Serbia, Darko some time, we have been carrying out certain projects in Republic of Moldova, Ukraine TANASKOVIC, a well-known professor and Uzbekistan. The initial surveys are already realized in Azerbaijan. We also hold and diplomat, was appointed as the negotiations in Kazakhstan. Being a member of the Fund is in accordance with the scope new Vice-President and member of of our interests – in this way, we will continue developing our contacts and exchange of the Board of Directors. ideas, and will be able to get out of it certain economic benefits”.

BSCSIF chronicleBSCSIFCHRONICLE

t its Moscow “summit” in August, the International Fund for Black and Caspi- an Seas (BSCSIF) took another step into Other new members: Romanian company The assembly approved the the wide world, asserting its interna- “Siveco” and “Niro Investment Group”. The latter is represented by Ion DONCA (left) statute of the Commission tional prestige. The team has strength- and CEO of “The Balkans and Europe” on Innovation and ened, new members were accepted - both legal entities magazine, Carol ROMAN, who told us: Investment, which can serve A(companies and firms) and physical persons, as in, re- “I was quite impressed by the discussion as a basis for building up markable personalities. and cooperation spirit that was here, means to the Fund. Certain Our photo-reportage tells the story. at the meeting. The participants projects on innovations On Moscow River, boarding the “Scarlett” yacht. Mikhail ZERNOV, expressed their good intentions at were presented. Director of BSCSIF Moscow branch, surrounded by young followers every issue. As for the “Dialogue of the of the Fund from different countries. Seas” magazine, I must say that this is a serious publication, aimed at supporting generous, democratic ideas of the Fund, primarily due to the fact that it emphases the economic side of the partnership between the countries of the region”. The first ones wardeda with the Honorary Diploma for contribution to the Fund, that is, achieving its goals and solving its statutory issues, were BSCSIF Vice-Presidents (from left to right) Akkan SUVER (Turkey) and Iulian FOTA (Romania), The five-star hotel President Viktor KHMARIN “Radisson Royal”, (Russia), Vice-President and Economic cooperation between the countries of the region, former “Ukraine” Secretary-General Eldar HASANOV intercultural dialogue, role and consolidation of religious hotel is the venue for (Azerbaijan). tolerance, opening a BSCSIF branch in Bulgaria - these are the 7th meeting of a just few of the topics discussed. A special attention was the BSCSIF Board of drawn to the projects implemented by the Brussels branch Directors. in cooperation with EU - conferences with mayors of capitals and major cities, as well as with employers /entrepreneurs of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea countries.

26 27 BSCSIF Vice-President, Iulian FOTA BSCSIFCHRONICLE with his spouse on the Red Square BSCSIFCHRONICLE

One of the honorable guests, Felix STANEVSKY, head of Caucasus Department of Institute of CIS countries, former Russian Ambassador to Georgia, shared with us his thoughts about the meaning of the Fund of two seas: Elitsa KURYAK, the “The establishment of the Fund Ambassador of Serbia and the issue of “Dialogue to Russia: Two prominent diplomats: of the Seas” magazine is “In my opinion, it is Dimitar COSTOV and Eldar HASANOV an extremely useful thing. The more we know about what is important that Serbia takes part in the Black Sea - Caspian happening in this region, the more we are armed: first, to prevent Sea Fund, as Serbia is an open society, an open country. the emergence of possible crises in a region that already had On the other hand, it is a developing country. Thirdly, it is Viktor KHMARIN and Ali-Naji enough of them and is to, unfortunately, expect them in the a multi-faith society and it is imperative for it to promote ARANLY, President of “Aran” future. And second, this is a basis for this kind of informing, to dialogue between different peoples, religions and political Holding, which currently make the activity efficient, to set cooperation in this region and movements. Of course, the economical development T he tour of Moscow has obviously executes the magnificent to make sure that Russia’s position in the region - and I’m talking is the basis of all. That is why, this kind of negotiations, strengthened the corporate spirit project on “Sheremetyevo” about Russia, because this is my country – doesn’t become cooperation and efforts to achieve something on a within the Fund infrastructure weaker. I think that there is a severe lack of information in this broad regional level represents a very important step for region, information on behalf of formal Russia, as its opinions Serbia, as we are a country in the center of Balkans, but are very often ignored or insufficiently taken into consideration on the other hand, we look toward EU, toward European by the public opinion of South Caucasus countries. This is a integration. So what we can do in the future is: contribute BSCSIF big obstacle towards making a firm position in this world and to the strengthening and cooperation in the region and strengthening the peaceful foundations of the relations between make it more dynamic - from the Caspian Sea, via Black chronicle BSCSIF Transcaucasian countries”. Sea, to Europe...” The formal reception was hosted on the luxury yacht “Scarlett”, by the President Viktor Khmarin; it celebrated the Fund’s chairmanship shift to Russia, according to the rotation principle. The reception chronicle was attended by ambassadors of the countries in BSCSIFCHRONICLE the region accredited in Russia, representatives of international organizations and just friends. The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Russia, Plamen GROZDANOV: The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on “Firstly, it is better to participate than not to participate. Secondly, I would like to see Constitutional Legislation and State Construction, how things go in this Fund. And we will take decisions, depending on the observed. Vladimir PLIGIN greeted the audience. We have a very representative member in the board of the Fund, a person with great experience...”. In his turn, the Vice-President Dimitar COSTOV talks about the future of the branch to be opened in Bulgaria: The discussions on Fund’s strategies “As we are one more EU member state, along with Romania, we are supposed to play are being continued by Viktor a certain role in this organization, upholding the EU’s eastern policy, which is well KHMARIN and Eldar HASANOV even designed, but requires to be applied in practice. As for our plans – many things come at dinner that started with exquisite to mind, especially in education, relations with universities. We could create a Common Russian appetizers... Academic Council of the universities of the countries that are members to the Fund. I spoke to the academician Dossym Suleyev and he sustained this idea”.

BSCSIF Vice-President Tamaz BERADZE with Gulara NABITOVA. With congratulations for Gulara with her acceptance to BSCSIF, we asked what brings her here, to the Fund. “To the Caspian Sea, said she, I am directly related, as I was born on its seacoast, in Baku, though I live in Russia now. This implies cooperation: the issues related to the Caspian Sea are always interesting to me. I started my lawyer career in the law Time to exchange business cards enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan and to interview: the Vice-President and now I am working in a Russian of the Fund, Vadim KOLESNICHENKO firm, which is a branch of a foreign and Nina MELNICHENKO, company. The scope of the Fund’s President of the “International Life” activity is broad-ranging and I think The band of Association, which publishes in that my participation in certain Russian gypsies has USA a magazine about the world interesting projects will also bring further improved of charity. benefits...” the overall mood. osP hot in the memory of the Moscow “summit”...

28 29 THEROAD TO CIVIL SOCIETY THEROAD TO CIVIL SOCIETY

bers. Currently, the government is companies that allocated funds for policy of Azerbaijan is an example elaborating the Law on Social Or- advertisement only to the segments for many other countries. der, which will increase the chances of press, TV and radio channels As to eradicating corruption in MONITORING on NGOs’ external funding, along that supported the government. a society, it is worth mentioning with the Law on Charitable Activi- Consequently, BSCSIF speakers that the Governmental Program ties eliminating the tax on dona- suggested that the responsibility for for the Fight against Corruption tions, which is also an advantage distribution of these public funds operates since 2004, along with IN AZERBAIJAN for NGOs. was transferred to a new structure a Law on Conflict of Interest be- M arius OPRAN, Member of BSCSIF Board of Directors, The establishment of the Coun- – the Independent Rating Agency tween Government Employees, and cil and, accordingly, of the Forum, of Azeri Media, authorized to mon- in January 2011, President Ilham Director of BSCSIF branch in Brussels represents a good example and the itor the audience, the distribution Aliyev, has made public a new set only one so far at the regional level. process and other statistical data, in of norms aimed at fighting against That is why, given that all three the field of printed and electronic corruption. Meanwhile operates the tanding at the crossroads administration, government, civil important water resources, caused members of social and economic media, so that the distribution of law on Public Procurement Reform, of great highways that society and delegacies of interna- banishment of over one million dialogue exist in Azerbaijan in a funds for ads was realized depend- whilst the strategy of “e-Govern- connect the East with tional organizations to Azerbaijan. people from their homes. In refer- consolidated form, BSCSIF sug- ing on the individual rating of the ment”, which will significantly the West, Azerbaijan Hence, the experts’ report on ence to that, the BSCSIF report gested that the government estab- applicants, rating published by this reduce the direct contact between represents an example this matter embodies findings recommends to Milli Medzhilis lished a new national institution in new agency. citizens and government officials, is of the country, which was able to and recommendations pointed at (the Parliament) to strengthen the accordance with EU standards: the about to enter into force. Sassimilate skillfully European val- accelerating the reform process, cooperation with the European Par- Economic and Social Committee Youth and Education An important role in the fight ues, while preserving with care its eliminating some of the factors that liament, as well as to exert pressure of Republic of Azerbaijan, whose We also paid attention to issues that against corruption plays the Net- national traditions. Nevertheless, cause international criticism. on EU institutions with the purpose function would be to discuss and may be not directly related to the work of Information and Coopera- Azerbaijan continues to face, at The full text of the final report of assuming of the latter a more develop advisory opinions on all development of civil society. tion between NGOs, which includes times contradictory, external criti- can be found on BSCSIF site: www. active role in the fair settlement of legislative proposals coming to the The first is education, which is 23 NGOs financed by the “Open cism on the slowness of reform- bscsif.ro/. the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Parliament. declared to be one of the national Society” Institute, OECD and the making, of establishing new demo- Below, we will present the main In this case, Azerbaijan would priorities. In 2007, President I. “Eurasia” Fund. cratic institutions, of guaranteeing results of the monitoring. C ivil Society in Azerbai- become the first non-EU country Aliyev approved the governmental human rights and ensuring civil jan in the region with such a structure; program on training abroad 5,000 Some of the findings liberties. S ome common data According to the Ministry of Jus- it could get the status of official Azeri students, at the expense of Today, Azerbaijan is a blooming That is why, on the suggestion Azerbaijan has become, due to its tice, there are 3,553 non-govern- observer to the European Economic government. We passed over a nation with huge growth potential of the European Union and the position, a strategic “geopolitical mental organizations (NGOs), 55 and Social Committee; it could also recommendation to the Ministry and highly-educated youth. International Fund for the Black pillar” when referring to the imple- political parties, 68 trade unions implement a program on active of Education of Azerbaijan, sug- Despite the fact that the reform and Caspian seas (BSCSIF), we de- mentation of the energy transport and a National Confederation of partnerships with similar tripartite gesting that the universities and the aimed at establishing democratic cided to implement a monitoring corridor from the Caspian aria and Employers registered in the coun- bodies of EU countries and would Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan institutions and human rights project on “The role of civil society Central Asia to Europe, and, at the try; also, 62 foreign NGOs are ac- receive funds for its development should be more involved in the 7th consolidation has made a certain in modern Azerbaijan”, aimed at same time, a regional leader and credited here. through the Eastern Partnership EU Framework Program, also the progress and evolves in the right reporting the observations and the a key-ally to the West, in the fight Founded in December 2007, the program. e-learning programs should be- direction, it is still below EU’s ex- opinions of international organiza- against international terrorism. Council of Governmental Support In another recommendation, come broader through elaborating pectations. Many laws and legisla- tions, and passing over this infor- Over the past 20 years, the budget for NGOs under the President of our report underlines the need for new modules that allow the train- tive acts adopted as a result of close mation to the authorities in Brus- of the state, where 8,4 million peo- the Republic ensures a real interac- a prioritized approach to the formal ees to assimilate the programming consultations with OSCE, CoE sels and Baku for further analysis. ple live, has increased by 40 times. tion between the government and signing of all international conven- principles, and also recommenda- and other international organiza- The implementation of this task Even during crisis, the high eco- the NGOs, aimed at involving these tions on human rights. tions referring to renewable energy tions are either delayed to enter was assigned to the author of the nomic growth was maintained: 9% organizations directly into the sources. into force or are not fully applied. current article, who co-opted into - in 2009 and 14% - in 2010. 950 process of making long-term and T he position in media Another aspect is – the promo- It is perfectly clear that a democ- the BSCSIF team - Amanda Paul, thousand jobs were created over national decisions in politics. One of the fortunate events in this tion of intercultural and interreli- racy can only be built considering the executive program coordinator the last eight years. A governmental The Council provides to NGOs sense were: establishing in August gious dialogue and tolerance, based the unique and specific features, for Turkey and South Caucasus in program is currently operating to advisory, organizational, methodo- 2008 a Fund of Governmental Sup- on mutual respect and understand- peculiar to each and every state. the European Policy Centre, Brian overcome the oil and gas “heel” of logical, informational and financial port for Mass Media development, ing. The leadership of the Republic However, this circumstance is not Cassidy, the president of the “In- economics and to ensure its diver- support. In 2010, the total funding under the President of Azerbaijan of Azerbaijan has a dynamic politi- able to temper EU’s expectations; ternal Market” of the EU Economic sification. The normal development of 252 projects amounted to 2.51 and the Council for Public Affairs cal activity with respect to religious EU wants to hasten Azerbaijan in and Social Committee, and Felicia of the country is hindered by the million manats. The projects were (2003), and the entry into force of and ethnic tolerance promotion, applying the already adopted leg- Scoarta, BSCSIF Adviser. As of 3 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The selected through open auction. the New Code of Conduct for Jour- respecting the right to choose a islation, for, it would strengthen till 10 July 2011, the team was in occupation of Azerbaijani territory The National Forum of NGOs nalists. The suspicions expressed by religion and bringing to justice the the trust of population and for- Baku to collect on-site data, to meet by Armenia has reduced by a third of Azerbaijan founded formerly, in Western institutions, including EU, intolerance and religious extrem- eign partners into the authorities representatives of the presidential the arable land, led to the loss of 1999, totals now over 2,700 mem- were referring to the large public ism. From this point of view, the from Baku.

30 31 pagesof history pagesof history text: Maria Dubinskaya photo: archives

Last summer, the crowns, imitating the laurel. That is, “Several years ago I read George hope that after so many years they the deceased was obviously having an Fyodorov’s book - “Archaeology of would be able to find the papyrus Russian Art Scientific- extremely high status. It could even be Romania”, where it is mentioned that was illusory. Restoration Center a Basileus, as in, a king. the papyrus found in Mangalia was “However, at this point nothing After realizing that they are un- restored and preserved in the Soviet could have stopped us”, remembers named after I.E. able to preserve the papyrus on their Union. I showed this material to our Ion Pyslaru. “I gathered all the well- own, the Romanian scientists decided director Sorin Kolesnyuk and to my known publications and came to Al- Grabar has returned to invite a specialist from Moscow. colleagues, thus, the idea to find and exander Lesovoy. This wonderful man to the Romanian In this way, Mikhail Alexandrovski, return the papyrus was born. Even helped us enormously. Some notes the legendary chief restorer of Push- more so, our museum was built exactly indicated clearly that the papyrus was archaeologists a unique kin Museum of Fine Arts came to on the burial spot: visitors could go di- kept in this restoration center. We ancient papyrus, which Mangalia. Even a special plane was rectly to the mound and see the ancient agreed that restoration center employ- sent for him. Mikhail Aleksandrovich burial”, told us Pyslaru Ion. ees will try to find at least some docu- has been considered had worked in the narrow coffin for The procedure was long. For about ments with respect to our artifact. four hours, sitting on his haunches. three years the scientist had been But, as I was told, a year ago there was lost for more than After he finished the preservation writing letters to various authorities, a fire in here, so the chances to suc- 50 years. of papyrus fragments, he wanted to he studied books and newspapers, ceed became lower. pass over the results to his Romanian kept a constant contact with his Rus- Altogether, I came back to Man- colleagues. But they answered with sian colleagues. By the means of the galia. Two weeks later I received a request to take the papyrus to the Romanian Academy, supported by from Alexander Lesovoy a short and Soviet Union for further restoration the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ro- very intriguing message: “We have and preservation. Since then, he hasn’t mania, these respective requests were everything you were looking for”. He heard a thing from Romania about the successfully addressed to Russia. confirmed, over the phone, that not fate of the artifact. Ion has worked in different muse- only the papyrus itself was found in THE MYSTERY It is determined that the ancient ums and libraries, but when he visited the Restoration Center, but all the Greek text of the papyrus is written Tretyakov Gallery, he met Nina Di- complementary documents to the in water-resistant ink. Nevertheless, vova, the niece of the restorer, Mikhail restoration. We just couldn’t believe it! it is still impossible to read the script: Alexandrovski. We were allowed to come and collect OF THE LOST PAPYRUS only particular letters and their parts “I found many interesting docu- all these treasures. It was unbelievable can be distinguished. However, if the ments related to the work of the genial for us! he restitution of the times, there were many educational skeleton of a man with a golden laurel hard work and the usage of supermod- restorer Alexandrovski. I read a whole The director of “Callatis Mangalia” papyrus to Romania is institutions in Callatis, and according wreath on its skull and a papyrus in its ern computer programs on fragment lot of newspapers. In one of 1962 publi- Museum has immediately sent an “ex- “ an event of a national to some data the first academy in all right hand. The papyrus was flecked matching grants the researchers with cations - “Return to Life” – it was writ- pedition”: a delegation of Romanian importance. In my ca- history was discovered particularly with inscriptions. When one of the the opportunity to make out at least a ten that Alexandrovski finished his work researchers arrived to Moscow. While reer it is undoubtedly here. Strabo, the father of geography, scientists touched the detached piece few words - it will be a fantastic success. on the papyrus and the restoration was communicating, Russian and Roma- the most wonderful event!”, revealed noted that in these places lived the of the papyrus, it instantly turned On the other hand, hypotheses re- completed. In another article it was even nian archaeologists discovered that SorinT Kolesnyuk, director of the Ro- distinguished historian Demetrius into dust. The archaeologists have garding the content of the manuscript pointed out that the scroll has been re- back in 1960, Mikhail Alexandrovski, manian Archaeology Museum “Cal- Callatian, the biographer of Socrates. quickly left the tomb, carefully fenced are extremely various. According turned to Romania”, said Ion Pyslaru. after the restoration and preservation latis Mangalia”. In 1959, at the preliminary stage of the entrance with plates, rocks and to one of assumptions, the papyrus Romanian researchers were in- of papyrus, has even written, person- The manuscript, which was offi- construction of resort infrastructure, crammed it with soil.” contains so-called Orphic texts, in creasingly confused. They felt that ally, an act on returning the manu- cially handed over by Alexander Leso- the builders stumbled upon a Hel- “The wreaths were awarded, for which Orpheus calls upon the gods of they are on the right track. But the script to Romania. Yet, for unknown voy, director of the Restoration Cent- lenistic necropolis and have urgently example, to winners of sports competi- Olympus for the return of his beloved reasons, Romanian archaeologists at er to the Romanian museum workers called the archaeologists. Many things tions: Nymphaeum or Delphic ones”, Eurydice. that time haven’t shown any initiative during a ceremony held in Moscow, were buried there, but one of them explains the scientist that works at the In order to understand why the and the papyrus remained in the ar- is composed of 154 priceless pieces of was particularly different from the Museum of Mangalia, Dr. Ion Pyslaru. importance of the crumbled papyrus chives of Moscow Restoration Center different sizes. They are stored in three others - it was a large mound, about “Wreaths were also made out of celery, is so big, it would be enough to say for many years. special trays. The roll dates back to the eight meters high, under which the in- laurel, oak. Oak wreaths were awarded that it is the only artifact in its kind “There is much more to find out IV century BC. terment was hidden in a sarcophagus. to military commanders returning found in Europe in the whole XX about this strange story. Its happy end- For more than two thousand That is how the discovery from from treks, laurel wreaths decorated century. Except for the tiny piece of a ing was possible only due to the success- years, that is, since Alexander of Mac- Mangalia was described in the the front of emperors during trium- charred papyrus, found in 1961 dur- ful collaboration between scientists from edon, the papyrus has been buried in “Daytime surface” story by Georgy phal processions. Helenians put on ing excavations in Greece. Usually pa- Romania and Russia”, explained Sorin the land of the large ancient city of Fedorov, a well known Soviet ar- heads ordinary wreaths made of other pyri are found in Middle East, Egypt, Kolesnyuk and Ion Pyslaru. Callatis. Today, here, on the coast of chaeologist who, by the will of fate, plants at symposiums, debauches where the climate favors the preserva- the Black Sea, is located a famous Ro- became a part of the papyrus epopee: with friends. Well, in the Mangalian tion of this writing material, but for This unique papyrus, since the time of Alexander (Abridgement for the article from manian resort - Mangalia. In ancient “In the round tomb laid down the mound were discovered bronze gilt European land this is a great rarity. of Macedon, is still waiting to be decrypted the “Echo of the Planet”, ITAR-TASS)

32 33 projects,projects projects,projects text: mikhail Zernov photo: archives

How to look “The Shield-2” rescues from fires 3 The liquid is designed to impregnate foam rubber, 25 years younger all kinds of plastic foam, fabric, polyurethane AN INVITATION he newest technology of human body foam, felled timber and other spongy materials 2 rejuvenation is based on the use of in order to exclude, by all means, the burning. T Dihydroquercetin (DHQ or taxifolin), Materials impregnated with this liquid, do not extracted out of over 50 year old Siberian larch, change their thermal conductivity and preserve through bioresonance technique. This technique their original shape and structure, entirely. TO COOPERATE is patented and protected by a trademark. “The Shield - 2” is a highly ecological material. It This method allows us, for the first time in the is recommended to use it in furniture production, history, to extract intercellular and intracellular he Commission for In- tions - “Projects” and “Portfolio”. in transport, in civil and industrial construction. fluid from timber, preserving its genuine form The porous materials that cover oil storage tanks, novations and Invest- The registration as a partner of the and condition, in the exact way it was inside the ischemic heart diseases, stenocardias, cardiac warehouses that store flammable substances ments of the Interna- Commission on Innovations and tree. It makes dihydroquercetin fundamentally insufficiency, arrhythmias, hypertension, processed with this liquid will reduce their fire tional Fund for Coop- Investments is free. Partners may be different from its analogues obtained using diabetes, bronchopulmonary pathologies and risk class. standard methods. Russian scientists managed diseases of the nervous system. The extract also eration and Partnership also invited to become long-term to make the extract soluble in water. Its full allows minimizing impacts of chemotherapy. of the Black Sea and the Caspian members of BSCSIF. Some of the analysis showed that it contains a group of DHQ also enters into the composition of another Vibrodiagnostics TSea (BSCSIF) started to form a pool members of the Fund are: the Acad- substances with a wide spectrum of biological mixture containing a colloidal solution made of investors-partners interested to emy of Sciences of Moldova, “Rom- activity, mainly antioxidant. of Siberian larch extract with a portion of of a new generation DHQ works at the level of cell membranes. bischofite. Applied to the skin, this mixture 4 The special feature of the new vibrodiagnostic work with innovations, as well as to energo” company, “Siveco”, UTI, “K According to experts, if injecting DHQ enhances considerably its nourishment system, incorporated into the railways for electric implement any projects on the terri- Group”, “Global Energy Trading”, systemically and as a prophylactic procedure with minerals and accelerates regeneration locomotives in Russia, consists in the operational tory of the 11 BSCSIF participating “Niro Investment Group”, “Oztasar”, during a year, into food and beverages by 0, after traumas, burns, fractures, providing a use of only one sensor installed in an accessible location, as close as possible to the examined countries. “Vizyion Constructing”, “Consult- 00001% out of the weight, it can prolong life by significant rejuvenating effect. 20-25 years. The property of DHQ extract to be active both hub. The mechanical condition of all the nearby The information on projects will ing Foreign Trade Company”... The Dihydroquercetin’s scope is extremely broad; on skin surface and in its lower layers increases components is determined by the information be promptly delivered to registered well-known businessmen Ilham it is recommended during rehabilitation its value as a raw material for pharmaceutical received from this sensor. In order to use this participants, who will also receive Rahimov and God Nisanov are its after strokes and heart attacks, chronic and cosmetic industries. diagnostic system it is necessary to have an operator, a personal computer and an adequate “Projects’ portfolio”, where all the honorary members. software system. available projects will be presented Mikhail Zernov, The BSCSIF Commission for The proposed vibrodiagnostic system allows President of BSCSIF Commission for Innovations not only detecting malfunctions quickly and in both Russian and English. and Investments Innovations and Investments invites In addition to the information all interested persons to cooperate effectively, but also providing the operator with on-line information: which resources, hubs, published in our magazine, you will on projects based on the use of wave aggregates or the mechanism have worked off. be able to receive information about do not require large investments, technology. Please note that most Implementing this new technology would help to global projects that require major which are also of interest to small of technologies and products are prevent emergencies. investments, such as: construction and medium businesses. The Com- licensed and may be used when es- of logistics distribution center in mission has also selected socially- tablishing joint ventures and highly Sheremetyevo (Moscow Region), oriented projects, such as “Future profitable industries. Acoustics against scum The anti-scum installation is designed for construction of gas processing plant Champions”, which promotes sports We invite Employers’ Confedera- descaling steam-boilers, heat exchangers and of the East-Siberian Gas Company, and healthy lifestyle. tions, manufacturers associations 5 boilers. After cleaning, it allows maintaining setting a production line for a More information about the and other interested parties to coop- the non-scum operation throughout the whole exploitation period. The installation uses unique device that diagnoses skin projects of the Commission for In- erate with us. a reagent-free ultrasonic method of water cancer - “Dialyzer”, building and novations and Investments can be Further, we introduce our treatment and in-boiler peripheral cavitation. equipping BSL4-labs. You will also found on BSCSIF’s Russian branch readers to new and exciting This installation allows eliminating the get acquainted with proposals that website - www.bscsif.ru, in the sec- projects. expensive traditional mechanical and chemical scum cleaning methods. Economy-wise, its effect consists in reducing fuel consumption up to 15%. Solodovnykova’s 1 Wave technology and timber hile using this unique technology during the production of construction materials, during the solution manufacture of specialized equipment and construction of low-rise houses, our partners have achieved olodovnykova’s solution” - known by having the same name with its author, doctor Elena Solodovnykova, is Wexcellent performances: the internal and external wooden walls, processed exclusively with wave “ patented in 1999 by the Russian Agency for Patent and Trademarks. technology, do not require additional trimming and look like a finished good, no different from a one with a S The solution has a strong disintoxication effect and simulates the function of liver monooxygenases. Through polished surface; the material doesn’t absorb moisture, it becomes 20-30% firmer than the usual one; not only the process of oxidation, it eliminates out of the body nitrogenous toxins and other metabolic toxins produced during “standard wood” is used to produce the timber, but also waste, which reduces the cost of both raw materials and ischemia, poisoning, septic processes, burn diseases, hepatic and renal insufficiency. The solution has an autonomous construction works; a house made of such timber has extremely low heat dissipation and requires many times bactericidal action against almost all kinds of pathogenic microflora - protozoa, viruses, fungi and bacteria. less energy for heating. It is extremely efficient in treating asthma and high blood pressure, body recovery after stroke. In old age, helps to 6 live a full life without diseases.

34 35 EXlibris EXlibris text: Oleg SEREBRIAN photo: archives

With cautiousness, Turkey revived the modern version of the Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, the old pan-Turkic doctrine, considered to be faulty in 1918. As Chechnya and Dagestan, mostly populated by Sunni Muslims). THE RISE OF TURKEY argued by the French geopolitical scientist C. Delavaud, Ankara In the Northern-Pontic area, the Turkish diplomacy proved to was holding this idea somewhere at the horizon of its foreign be applied with much political sharpness and professionalism policy, explaining to EU its desire to serve as a real corridor con- and, unlike most countries in this region (except for Russia), it IN THE GEOPOLITICS necting Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. At the same time, realized the long-term importance of the Ukrainian factor. Once the involvement of Turkey in the issues that marked a series of with the decline of the Soviet Union, Ankara conceived a for- neuralgic points of the Balkans and the Caucasus, made the Eu- eign policy strategy that accounted for the revival of the Pontus’ ropeans wonder whether Turkey is going to be a bridge between geopolitical ensemble and estimated that this ensemble will have OF THE BLACK SEA East and West or a viaduct delivering Islam to Europe? three centers of gravity – Turkey, Ukraine and Russia. Obviously, The book of the well-knownM oldovan politician and political scientist Oleg Serebrian After 1991, Turkey has significantly reduced its interest in its Russia, a big power, has significantly more trump cards than former foreign policy priority - the Eastern Mediterranean - but the regional powers like Turkey and Ukraine. But namely this (currently, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to France) it increased significantly its presence in the Black Sea region and disproportion is the secret of the strength of regional powers, “Geopolitics of the Black Sea Region”, published several times both in Moldova and entered decisively into the Central Asia through several ac- for a great power is a state with omnipresent interests, while a tions revealing her return to the traditions of the Sublime Porte regional power gets busy with only a certain geopolitical en- abroad, has become one of the most significant books in the literature on geopolitics. diplomacy. And here, we talk about the Community of Turkic semble. Thus, in Russia’s case, it is very difficult to define any We offer our readers excerpts from the book dedicated to Turkey. States and the Initiative of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation: geopolitical ensemble of the modern world in which, directly (which later turned into the Organization of the Black Sea Eco- or indirectly, the Russian geopolitical factor would be excluded urkey represents a special case threat has minimized Turkey’s geostrategic nomic Cooperation – BSEC) the mechanisms that express very from the calculations. In the case of Turkey and Ukraine, we in the geopolitics of the Black importance, only exposing more the weak clearly the geopolitical and geoeconomic interests of Turkey. are dealing with only two or three directions: the Black Sea and Sea Region. Being a stronghold performances of the Turkish democracy and However, the position of Turkey in the region is favored Central Europe for Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean, in German geopolitics regard- economy. The “reception” of the European not only by the political effect of the Soviet Union’s collapse and Black Sea and Central Asia for Turkey. ing the Balkan-Caucasian-Pon- Union, where Turkey was obediently wait- Yugoslavia’s breakdown, not only by the economic crisis that Russia, the incontrovertible “prima donna” of the Pontic geo- tic region, Turkey has changed its “profile” in ing in solitude, but confident in a positive gripped the countries from this region, but also by the presence political scene, is Turkey’s rival regarding also two of its vital di- Т1945, in the moment when it became the key result, became suddenly crowded, with “visi- of significant Turkish and Turkic communities, which exist in rections - Pontic and Central-Asian regions. As regards Ukraine, element in USA’s geostrategy and the only tors” who didn’t really wait for their turn: literally all the countries of this region. Thus, in Russia’s North the problems, even if they linger, seem far less significant than coastal Black Sea ally of the Western powers. on the one side: wealthy member-countries Caucasus live almost a million representatives of the Turkic peo- those faced by the Russian-Turkish relations. Hence, Ankara is Included with determination into of the European Free Trade Association; on ples (Kumyks, Nogais, Balkars, Karachays, Tatars, Azeris), in 9 of foreshadowing a possibility for emergence of a Turkish-Ukrainian NATO, in spite of lagging behind at the the other - the ex-communist countries of Ukraine’s regions, the number of Turkic ethnic groups (Crimean axis, which would counterweight the Russian factor. It’s worth chapter of “human rights” , Turkey has Central Europe, with better performances Tatars and Gagauz Turks) rises up to 300 thousand inhabitants, mentioning that the Turkish factor in the new Pontic geopolitical been also cautiously introduced into the than Turkey. In 1993, Turkey submitted in the Republic of Moldova – approx. 150 thousand (Gagauz architecture is in no case considered to be underestimated in Kiev “Europe’s high society”, becoming a member confidently a fairly substantial file, to be ac- Turks), in Georgia - over 300 thousand people (mainly Azeris). as well: along with Germany and the United States, Turkey is seen of the Council of Europe and an associate cepted into the European Community, but There are large Turkish communities in Romania (approx. 100 in Kiev as the third western partner. In Russia, this rapproche- Cartier Publishing, Bucharest, 2006 state-member of the European Economic its chances proved to be small, and the eco- thousand of Turks and Tatars in Dobrogea), Macedonia, Greece, ment was regarded with great suspicion. Community. From 1983 to 1990, the West nomic achievements of the last decade, along and especially in Bulgaria. Another area of Turkey’s geopolitical interests in the Pontic had been looking at Turkey, and along with it, at Cyprus and with the relatively successful construction of democracy and In the Black Sea region, we can distinguish three directions space becomes again, the South-Eastern Europe. Turkey wants Israel, as the only democracies in the Western Asia. Aside from secular society have been overshadowed by the ascent of Is- of “spiritual”, political and economic interests of Turkey. First of to identify itself as a country belonging to this region, despite the its westernization and europeanization, until 1989 the Turkish lamic fundamentalism and galloping demography, promising all, we are talking about those three Caucasian states - Georgia, fact that only 3% of its territory lies in Europe. After the collapse geopolitics has been oriented also towards three main direc- large migration flows. Armenia and Azerbaijan; and then, about the northern Black of the Soviet Union, Turkey turned out to be, in the Balkans, in tions: the Greek-Turkish dispute, controversies over Cyprus and The collapse of the Soviet bloc had fortunately for Turkey Sea region, which includes the southern regions of Ukraine and a similar situation to the one established in the Caucasus: the the Kurdish problem. happened simultaneously with its economic boom, which the North Caucasus regions of Russia and, finally, about the geopolitical border between East and West ceased to exist, the Many political scientists tend to emphasize the positive made it look more imposing to the “brothers” and “cousins” South-Eastern Europe or the Balkans, which covers Republic political and geographical borders were changing swiftly their effect that the Soviet collapse had on the Turkish geopolitics. from the North and the East. Enlivened by the disintegration of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, configuration, ethnic and religious conflicts were coming out. The Turkish political scientist Oktay Tanrisever acknowl- of the Soviet Union and by the weakness of its geopolitical Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These factors have put Turkey in a favorable geopolitical and edges that the disintegration of the USSR created a vacuum of successor, that is, Russia, Ankara used this unexpected op- For Turkey, the Caucasus is of special interest and is prob- geoeconomic situation, but, nevertheless, the South-Eastern power in certain parts of Eurasia, providing Turkey with the portunity and got involved impetuously into regional politics ably the number one priority in Turkish geopolitics; in fact, it Europe represents for Turkey only a secondary “concern” in the opportunity to exercise its political and economic influence and taking up important positions in politics and economics is the Caucasus who serves as a corridor, making a connection Pontic geopolitical space, while the Caucasus has undoubtedly in some former Soviet states. In turn, Aleksandr Dugin says of the vast region stretching from the Altai, in the East, to the with the Turkic states from Central Asia and the autonomous outran the previous by its importance in all respects. Though, that, after the disappearance of the Soviet Union, Turkey has Adriatic Sea, in the West. Russia turned out to be in a new Turkic peoples from China and Russia. The Caucasus is more if we abstract from the framework of the Black Sea geopolitical consolidated its presence in Azerbaijan, Central Asia and even geopolitical situation in Central Asia, as well as in the Black important comparing to the Balkans and northern Black Sea ensemble, and refer to the axis of political interests of Ankara in the North Caucasus regions of Russia. Indeed, the positive Sea region, where reappeared Turkey, as a geopolitical rival, region also because of the presence of the Oghuz state of Azer- in general, we must admitted that, despite the plead for its be- moments prevail, but, still, the collapse of the Soviet Union after being absent for nearly a century. The support given to baijan, the only Turkic state which shares a border with Turkey. longing to South European area, Turkey has a more Asian had a double effect upon the Turkish factor in regional geo- the North-Caucasian and Balkan Turkic peoples, the closure Another priority in the concept of the Turkish geopolitics geopolitical doctrine than ever, and its Caucasian priority politics: on one hand, it created opportunities to revive some of the community of Turkic states and the rivalry with Iran regarding the Black Sea region represents the Northern-Pontic is followed by the priority for Central Asia, but nowise geo-political ambitions, which in Turkey seemed to be forgot- and Russia in Central Asia and the Caucasus have become the area: Ukraine (especially Crimea) and the Russian Northern for the Balkans. ten, on the other hand, the disappearance of the communist features of the Turkish geopolitical doctrine ever since 1992. Caucasus (particularly, the autonomous republics of Adygea, Translated from Romanian

36 37 gallery gallery photo: archives

“Symbols of Faith”, by Mihai Gavril

“Composition”, by Horea Cucerzan

“Still Life with Water Lilies”, by Alma Redlinger “A polyphony of femininity metamorphoses”, by Florin Ghergu Valentin Popa. From animalistic paintings series. From Razvan Ionescu’s “Confessions” series THE WAY Romanians PAINT TODAY M arius ТIŢA arts is developing chaotically, impulsively, being exposed to all sorts of pressures and powerful influences of social phenomena, not related directly to the scope of this art. here is no “schooling” in the modern The emergence of new, modern areas in which artists can Romanian painting. Several well-known express themselves - design, advertising, mass media, “Composition”, examples of Romanian “schools” are actually interior decoration - saves the artistic creativity, but also by Corneliu Vasilescu represented by fortunate friendships leaves a mark on it, reducing the artistic expression in between artists, that is, when they summon easel painting. within creative workshops. It can be compared to a Among the phenomena that hinder the development “The Eternal flight”, Tpleasant memory of the twentieth century preserved of contemporary Romanian art, we can mention the by Gabriela Culic after the fall of communism in 1989, when the artistic delayed response to international trends, and a quite freedom and the opportunities have grown exponentially, low level of education in arts, which leads to lack of reaching almost normal levels. an adequate public for the creators. That is why we are “Winter in Sinaia”, by Augustin Costinescu In the past two decades, the Romanian artistic dealing with a reserved market in arts, spared of many landscape has blossomed due to both post-communist mandatory elements. For almost 15 years there was phenomena and the avalanche-type development only one art salon for auctions, while now – 6 or 7 are with globalization features. Formal portraits and permanently open. The increasingly more qualitative imposed themes have disappeared definitively and and substantial art supply did not enjoy a required with unbelievable quickness; just as fast, many authors demand, neither an appropriate recognition in the have moved to religious themes and texture, typical for Romanian society. 90’s vogue. During this time, the elderly professional The unrestricted circulation of artists made possible artists became either venerable artists or passed away, for the artistic work to connect to the governing trends the mature ones were able to assert themselves and the on world’s big markets and exhibits. In recent years, younger generations were educated and guided by old Romanian artists living both at home and abroad have professors having, nevertheless, access to international had great success at international festivals, showrooms trends. The education in arts has been improved, while and fairs. The Romanian Cultural Institute endeavors the its professional level has decreased. The Romanian fine fine arts with considerable support.

This publication has been prepared with the support of AnticArt Magazin

38 39 BSCSIFCHRONICLE The”New Silk Road” poetic anthology text: liliana coman photo: archives text: MiKhail Sinelnikov photo: archives

“Side by side – for the Black Sea” 27 leaders of non-governmental youth OVER THE WOUNDED STONE organizations (NGOs) from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, ven before wartime, the retelling, I did recognize his adven- Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary gathered On Balkar poet Kaisyn Kuliev tures of that time, stories and witti- September 5 – 14, on the Black Sea coast, at Gura Portitei (Romanian Danube delta). Here, was well-known in Mos- cism... Many years later, when I was BSCSIF organized a training course on water cow’s literary society. He already a young poet, I met Kuliev issues. The aim of the course is to improve the was communicating on again, in Moscow, befriended him ability of youth NGOs to implement projects a friendly footing with such classics and even became his translator. on preventing water pollution. The event is a Eas Boris Pasternak and Nikolai Tik- While lying ill on his deathbed, part of the “Side by side – for the Black Sea” honov, became a close friend with Simon Chikovani gathered at his project, initiated by the Fund of the two seas Arseny Tarkovsky, Semyon Lipkin, dwell Georgian poets, to express his and supported by the European Commission Dmitri Kedrin, who dedicated to through “Youth in Action” program. will, and among other things men- During the course held by competent Kaisyn these heartfelt lyrics: “And, tioned the importance of carrying on specialists, the young people have received a limping like Byron, you will be walk- the friendship with Kaisyn Kuliev. To lot of knowledge about the mutual influence ing to the shelter ....” The war, during me, who knew Kuliev, this covenant of two factors - human activity and water which he was a brave front-line of- was so clear. It was impossible not Mikhail Sinelnikov, ficer, from where he returned with poet, academician at the Russian Academy getting to like this valiant, brave, no- decorations and scars out of bullets of Natural Sciences and at Petrovskaya Academy ble, courageous man and moreover, and shell splinter, has tremendously a true poet, a highly experienced changed his life and fortune. monov. And here, a little known fact: writer to his bones, with all his heart quality, gained practical skills and tools “Side by side – for the Black Sea” will be also Kuliev belonged to the North- living in Kyrgyzstan, Kaisyn Kuliev devoted to the Russian culture, skill- necessary to turn ideas and solutions into carried on in the coming year: the agenda Caucasian people that was in no time translated into Russian the poetry fully mastering the Russian poetry vital projects aimed at protecting Black Sea provides for establishing a network of youth deported from homeland to Central of Kyrgyz poets. He mastered skill- (including the forbidden one, by chronicle from the increasing pollution. NGOs, particularly in Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Asia, during repressions and, in fully the Russian verse. Still, he didn’t Khodasevich and Mandelstam). There spite of his latest war merits, he was obey Pasternak’s friendly advice to was nothing but proudness in having doomed to the same fate as his exiled continue to write in Russian. He re- him as a friend. I remember Kuliev countrymen. Hoping madly and des- mained faithful to his people and his being a brilliant master of ceremonies perately to change the decision made native literature... And Pasternak’s at Arseny Tarkovsky’s 70th anniver- D ialogue at the highest level, the poet, using outstanding letters became of a great sary ceremony, held in the basement I nitiation into peacekeeping his Caucasian connections, made his support for the exiled Caucasian. It’s of Peredelkino House of Art... Their in Azerbaijan way to the almighty Lavrenti Beria, worth noting that Pasternak would friendship lasted for decades, until operations directly in charge of the deportation hardly be writing to Kuliev so many the very end. For many years, Arseny In the last decade of November, the Submitting a new project on “Development of peacekeeping initiatives of “peoples-traitors”. And he begged sincere, candid, and considerate let- Tarkovsky was wrapping himself Azerbaijani town of Gabala hosted the in the Black Sea – Caspian Sea region”, the group of young BSCSIF experts to send back the Balkars to their ters, if he hadn’t appreciated his tal- when going to sleep in a white Balkar first Camp of young professionals in started a broad analysis of the “frozen” conflicts in the region. The initiative the field of environmental protection. home mountains. To this, he received ent, nor if hadn’t had a presentment cloak - a gift from Kuliev. He was a is aimed at trying to offer ideas and solutions for a peaceful settlement of an indulgent response: “You, per- about his great future ... Here, I feel true friend to Kuliev: the authorities They were gathered together by the conflicts. In addition to the detailed study of the file, which contains a lot organization for International Dialogue for of specialized literature, international conventions and resolutions, the sonally, can stay!”. Of course, being bind to address my memories. I think couldn’t forgive him the bow given Environmental Action, IDEA, whose founder project team will meet the experts in this field and will continue studying proud and having kept his sense of that one of the first moments I re- to the already cut off from the Soviet is Leyla Aliyeva, in cooperation with the situation on-site - in Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and honor, Kaisyn didn’t take advantage member is me, three-year old, stand- literature, Solzhenitsyn, at Tvardo- representatives of the UN Development South Ossetia. Programme (UNDP) and the OSCE Office of satrap’s mercy and soon departed ing in the courtyard of our Jalalabad vski’s funeral. This bow cost Kuliev in Baku. The opening ceremony was to Kyrgyzstan, which was to become house, surrounded by blossoming his title of Hero of Socialist Labor attended by officials from the Ministry of the main residence of the exiled flowers, daisies, asters and dahlias, all (frankly speaking, it wasn’t important Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry Balkars. taller than myself. A bald and black- for the poet, who ignored the decora- of Youth and Sports and the Pesidential Bitter is the bread of banishment, mustached man in a faded uniform tion tinsel, but for his small, still un- Administration. On the occasion of winter holidays as Dante said. Yet, in those times, was looking at me and smiling. It was The messengers of our Fund, Yulia Ak- der suspicion, “under-rehabilitated” hunova and Roxana Raceu, have actively On December 13, Bucharest Hilton and members of the diplomatic at Frunze (in the Kyrgyz capital, the exiled Kaisyn Kuliev, who came people). However, there is no way participated at the elaboration of Gabala Athenee Palace Hotel hosted a corps accredited in Bucharest. The which has become Bishkek today) together with a poet, Sergei Fiksin, to that Kuliev could act otherwise. The Declaration of Young Environmentalists, cocktail organized by the International meeting with the general public in the Balkar poet has found a cordial visit my father – a Leningrad writer times of severest ordeals served to which will be presented by Azerbaijan’s Fund for the Black and Caspian the Romanian capital summed up sympathy in the Russian artistic en- and journalist, who has settled here this poet by giving him his most im- delegation at Rio+20 Earth Summit, to be Seas (BSCSIF) on the occasion of the fruitful activity of the Fund in the vironment and among the most tal- providently during the time of post- portant literary subject. He has spo- held in 2012 at Rio de Janeiro. The Youth winter holidays. The Diplomatic Hall year of 2011, aimed at developing an Camp will be extremely useful for enhanc- gathered representatives of public, efficient dialogue and cooperation ented Kirghiz writers. In those bleak stalinist ideological campaigns. Yes, I ken bravely about his people that was ing the involvement of young people into governmental and political life of between the countries of the Black and years, he became friends with the have seen Kuliev several times during savagely and for a long time separated the environmental issues of the region. Romania, academics, businessmen Caspian Seas. marvelous Kyrgyz poet, Alykul Os- my childhood and as my father was from its native mountains. It seemed

40 41 The”New Silk Road” poetic anthology

I mourned all those who now were gone, * * * Who lost their way or died in war, Their fate I’ve long felt as my own, Far away a woman can be heard Kaisyn I loved them. And my heart was sore. Crooning wistfully a lullaby. 1960 All the fears and worries of the world KULIYEV Weave themselves into that lullaby. (1917-1985) A woman’s bathing Every bullet fired in a war in the stream Finds its mark—a loving mother’s heart, And whoever victory may score * * * A woman’s bathing in the stream. There’ll be broken mothers’ hearts. The speech of mountain people is not flowery, Bemused, the sun upon her beams, I960 it’s stern. Their conversation is so artless and abridged And on her shoulders gently lays * * * That I’m afraid to put a word in out of turn, The fingers of its golden rays. Much as a horse fears stepping on a narrow bridge. Death gives quarter to none, The willows cast their shadows far No mercy does it know. Their conversation is of social graces shorn, To touch the woman’s face and arms. A horse dies on the run, The simple peasant talk is low in voice and tone, A black horse on white snow.... But every word’s as perfect as an ear of corn, The reeds look on in silence bound, Ingenuous and solid as a wall of stone. Nor do the pebbles make a sound. The hotter was the chase, The faster did he run, And in their quiet talk they do not stop to muse There is no evil anywhere, And if there was a race, On age-old questions: what is truth, what vanity? No death, no sorrow, no despair, A prize he always won. The word “humanity” as such they never use, But everything they say bespeaks humanity. No storms, no winter any more, He knew the mountainside, No prison bars, no need, no war. Each path and every slope, The only things that can disturb the gentle flow And many lovely brides Is news that someone’s heifer died the night The world’s at rest. Peace reigns supreme. He had helped to elope. before, A woman’s bathing in the stream. Or apprehension that the fodder’s running low 1964 His ears alert and keen, And spring will not be coming for a month His legs, so slim and fast, or more. He flew through the ravines And up the sheerest paths. The usual conversation of the mountain sages Revolves round the important problems of the day. Now on the snow he lies Their very speech, that has not changed through- Alone, with no one near. out the ages, His mournful violet eyes Is fragrant as their hard-earned bread and fresh- Are glazed with unshed tears.... cut hay. His strength he never spared, To speak my mind in their debates I don’t make He did not need a goad, bold, And never knew or cared I don’t take sides, the outcome is not my concern. That there were easier roads. I simply like to listen to their speech which holds The wisdom of the herbs, the goodness of ripe. Why is not beauty lasting? The rose its petals sheds, * * * The melting snow grows flaccid, A handsome horse lies dead.... I grieved beside a wounded stone, I wished that flowers as before Death gives quarter to none, Would grow on it, and I bemoaned No mercy does it know. Its dying and the pain it bore. The horse died on the run— A black horse on white snow. I sorrowed that a tree lay felled, 1964 Remembering the welcome shade Where grass and flowers thrived so well, “A woman’s bathing in the stream”, And where the children always played. by the painter Azamat Kuliev, the poet’s son Translated by Olga Shartse

The Editorial Board thanks Fatima Kulieva for her contribution in editing this article

that even the snow-covered realms still hoped to make his life at least poetry wasn’t at all adequate for pub- of the mountains were distorted by few days longer. He felt that the time lishing. And he bequeathed: “Here is suffering and the stones of the home for change is coming. And once, he what you will translate and publish, canyons were wounded... Terminally told me: “Still, I would like to know when it becomes possible!”. It’s very ill, struggling in a painful illness, Kai- who wins, Pasternak or Gribach*!”. comforting to realize that I was able syn Shuvaevich kept a good heart and He knew very well that some of his to fulfill his will. * This refers to Nikolai Gribachev, an average poetry writer, but a prominent literary figure duringS oviet era, initiator of ideological campaigns and counselor for leaders.

42