East European Region Research Articles

From Region to Culture, from Culture to Class

The paper articulates a sort of dialectic of the ruling culturalist discourse that is currently cast on the East European region. The opening moment analyses the culturalization of the Eastern region's identity and its impact on the continental map. The second stage will shift the perspective to the particular level of the Eastern region itself, where an account of the events surrounding the Romanian “coup d’e´tat” from the summer of 2012 will track down the effects of the culturalist discourse in the internal social dynamic of the region, and its gradual overlapping with the class divide. Finally, once the issue of class is touched, the very adventures of the culturalist discourse will take us back to the transnational level, where the culturalist discourse could overcome the structural issue of class struggle.

FDI: Source of financing or source of trade for CEE

The paper is devoted to the study of relationship between foreign direct investments and trade of transition economies of Central and East European region. The increasing internationalization and globalization of production make the question of the relationship between foreign direct investments and trade more important, especially with the upsurge of transition economies' foreign direct investments. Foreign direct investments are usually analyzed separately, as a form of investment, financial flows. There is enormous literature researching the inflows of foreign direct investments into countries of Central and East European region and recent literature about foreign direct investment outflows from these countries. With the increase of region's foreign direct investments, the question of their impact and relation with trade stands out and the paper will focus on the relationship between investment and trade flows of this group of countries revealing their connection and intertwining and the necessity of different international trade analysis of these countries.

Introduction to the Road Safety Situation in Hungary

The research aims to provide an assessment for the Road Safety situation in Hungary, by showing aggregated figures and statistics on road accidents. This article is based on ROSEE ROad safety in South East European regions report. The road safety performance of Hungary in comparison to other countries of South Eastern Europe is discussed. In Hungary, a great potential for safety improvement exists, if serious effort for tackling the above major critical factors is made.

Institutional Properties of the South East European Region

Institutional Properties of the South East European Region

Minimum initial service package (MISP) for sexual and reproductive health in disasters.

This paper is based on a presentation given at the Evidence Aid Symposium, on 20 September 2014, at Hyderabad, India. The paper provides background about how the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) got conceived as a humanitarian health response that adopts human right approach, based on core principles driven by needs of adolescent girls and women, and having respect for their values, ethics and morals. Good practices across nations documented by Inter-Agency Working Groups (IAWGs) on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Crisis has supported the provision of essential SRH care services to adolescent girls and women in humanitarian crisis and in disasters. Secondary desk review is used to document the lessons learnt and good practices followed and documents for SRH. These essential SRH care services are to be provided as "Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP)" for implementation at the outset of disaster. The Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response incorporated the MISP for SRH as a minimum standard of care in disaster response with a goal to reduce mortality, morbidity and disability among populations affected by crises, particularly women and girls. Disaster prone countries are expected to roll out MISP to improve humanitarian response and emergency preparedness systems. The East Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region including India have rolled out MISP starting from 2011 (EECA) and from 2013-2014 onwards in India across cities such as Chennai, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Faridabad and Calcutta. Across India, through these national and state level trainings, nearly 600 people from NGOs, institutions, and government agencies were developed as national level trainers and resource persons for MISP who could advocate for RH in emergencies, apply core techniques provided in the MISP, apply coordination skills for the implementation of MISP and develop an action plan to integrate RH and Gender Based Violence (GBV) into Disaster Management Plans of respective agencies. The way forward includes focusing on MISP distance learning module, integration of MISP in Health action plans, and integration into national disaster preparedness and contingency planning of respective agencies and departments and building capacity at various levels.

Эффекты перетекания волатильности и заражения на фондовых рынках: определение глобальных и локальных лидеров (часть 1)

The study focuses on the identification of stable relations between the stock markets of three geographic regions, including pre- and post-crisis periods. The paper demonstrates the applicability of the ARMA-DCC-GARCH model, allowing to provide a detailed examination of the dynamic correlation between 26 stock markets in the three regions (America, Europe and Asia) over the period of 1995-2012. We examine the volatility spillover effects and conditional correlations among the international equity markets. The country stock index is considered as an indicator of market dynamics. The results show that the US market (S&P500 index) is the main volatility transmitter worldwide, whereas the UK, German and French markets are the sources of volatility for the European developed and emerging European equity markets. However, the German DAX index, contrary to some studies, cannot be considered as a dominant one in the European region, in spite of the leadership of the German economy. The study shows that the role of “exporting volatility” or volatility transmitter belongs to the UK stock market. We also found that the US, the UK, Germany and France have a greater influence on emerging markets rather than on developed ones. Between the two markets in the North and East European region (Russia and Poland) the dominant transmitter role belongs to Russia.

Localization of aerosol sources in East-European region by back-trajectory statistics

A concentration-weighted trajectory method for aerosol source localization based on joint statistical analysis of aerosol column volume concentrations and back-trajectory data was used to estimate the spatial distribution of aerosol sources in the East-European region. The aerosol column volume concentration data measured at five AERONET network sites, Belsk, Minsk, Kyiv, Moldova/Kishinev, and Sevastopol, were used. The geographical areas responsible for increased aerosol content at the monitoring sites were mapped separately for coarse-mode and fine-mode aerosol fractions. The investigated area is located between 42° and 62° N in latitude and between 12° and 50° E in longitude.It was shown that the northeastern territories (in relation to the monitoring stations) give a small contribution to the coarse-mode aerosol content. The events of increased coarse-mode aerosol concentration have been caused by sources in the southeastern regions. On average, the air masses with a large content of coarse-mode aerosol particles were delivered to all stations from regions around Donetsk, Rostov-on-Don, and Kharkiv cities. The fine-mode aerosol fraction originated from areas of Tambov, Voronezh, and Kharkiv cities. The calculated aerosol source regions partly correspond to European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme data for eastern Europe. The cause of difference between calculated regions responsible for increased aerosol content at the monitoring sites and the sources of particle emission according to European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme data are discussed.

The Sound of Fatih Akın’s Cinema: Polyphony and the Aesthetics of Heterogeneity in The Edge of Heaven

Fatih Akın’s film sound (music/dialogue) highlights his aesthetic imagination of a diverse Europe. One means by which this is achieved is through Akın’s collaboration with DJ Shantel. Using examples from Auf der anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven , 2007), I argue that Akın’s linguistic and musical soundtrack invites the moviegoer to aesthetically experience a heterogeneous European polyphony. Shantel’s dubbed/remixed music from North, South, and East European regions, as well as the various languages, dialects, and accents of the filmic characters testify to both a filmic normalization of multilingualism and musical heterogeneity, and even to a connection between different (film) histories.

A cleaner approach for biolubricant production using biodiesel as a starting material

Abstract By this study we aimed to develop a green and cleaner alternative to the existing oil-derived lubricant production by providing the market biolubricant synthesis catalyzed by enzymes. Moreover, the use of biodiesel to develop a higher added-value product is a very attractive solution for biodiesel production manufacturers in extending their production supply and the potential sales markets, especially in the East Europe region. The synthesis of 2-ethyl-1-hexyl oleate (biolubricant) was studied using commercially available immobilized lipase Lipozyme TL IM, biodiesel as a source of fatty acids and relatively cheap 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. The transesterification reaction was performed in solvent-free and water-free system. 2-Ethyl-1-hexyl oleate was successfully synthesized in 50 L scale with 100 % conversion in 10 h of reaction time at 60 °C temperature. The physico-chemical properties of 2-ethyl-1-hexyl oleate were estimated.

Credit Risk Determinants for the Bulgarian Banking System

Using an autoregressive distributed lag model, this paper examines the factors that influence the credit risk of the Bulgarian banking system over the decade 2001–2010, as measured by non-performing loans. Recent papers aim to identify the determinants of non-performing loans using a cross-country modelling framework. As the South East European region (SEE) is non-homogeneous, our analysis is country-specific and captures the timeline between the bank privatisation era up to the global financial crisis and the ensuing Greek crisis. The contribution of our paper is twofold: it uses the ARDL modelling framework that is scarcely employed in related studies but also investigates spillover effects from the Greek crisis in view of the material presence of Greek banks in Bulgaria. In accordance with previous studies, the findings suggest that the credit risk determinants of Bulgarian banks should be sought endogenously in macroeconomic variables and industry-specific factors but also in exogenous factors. We evidence a pronounced role of the global financial crisis and the country’s bank regulatory framework. The Greek debt crisis appears to play an immaterial role indicating that Greek banks have not been a Trojan horse in the Bulgarian banking system.

State of the Art of Slovenian Road Safety

The State of the Art of Slovenian Road Safety aims to provide a short description of road safety situation in Slovenia as well as to record all activities taken in Slovenia. This article is based on ROSEE ROad safety in South East European regions report. The road safety performance of Slovenia in comparison to other countries of South Eastern Europe is discussed. Basic road safety trends in Slovenia and a macroscopic analysis of road accident factors related to road users, road environment and vehicles are presented. Also the assessment of road safety legislation, policy and institutional capacity in Slovenia is undertaken. In this article, the assessment of needs and availability of road safety related data and information in Slovenia is also presented. Finally, the road network conditions in Slovenia, a general road safety assessment of the interurban road network and the status of Road Safety Audits are described.

Safety Analysis of Foreign Traffic from Visegrad Countries on the Hungarian Network

The paper investigates the road safety characteristic of foreign traffic arriving from the Visegrad Countries to Hungary. The connection among Visegrad Countries has been getting more and more important, since the East-European Region recognized their common interests in intensifying economic cooperation. In this process, the understanding of road safety characteristic of foreign traffic among Visegrad Countries is a crucial step forward to the common future.

The structure and authenticity of the Povest’vremennych let

The linguistic, content and critical analysis of the Povest’ vremennych let means an “evergreen” topic for the East Slavic historiography. The tradition of different origins and the combination of the text partly come from the natural quality of the East European region, upon which the aspects of choice of the Christian chroniclers were built. In the quantitative aspect, the more detailed narratives rely on either earlier notes or oral tradition, yet they do not complete the whole of the chronology the chronicler pays attention to. In the author’s opinion, Sylvester, the abbey of the monastery of Vydubiči, created the dynastic legitimization in the person of Vladimir Monomah and in a way determinant for his descendants with mixing the different traditions.

Critical pedagogy within the migration/security nexus: but who gets through the door?

This submission will reflect on how border control and visa regimes structure access to higher education by differentiating between potential students and funding recipients based on citizenship, and will suggest some implications for critical pedagogy in global politics. I write from the perspective of a former part-time instructor in an interdisciplinary East European studies department in the UK (a post I held in 2011–2012). In the UK system, the fee differential for students who are EU or non-EU citizens produces a stark inequality in access that cuts through East European regions depending on which states have become members of the European Economic Area; this anomaly makes the wider inequality particularly visible.

Measurements of the ionosphere plasma electron density variation by the Kharkov incoherent scatter radar

The present paper is devoted to the description of an improved method for determination of the ionospheric electron density values by Kharkov Incoherent Scatter Radar. This method allows to improve the resolution of the incoherent signals parameters up to ∼20 km in the range of 100–400 km and ∼100 km in the range of 200–1100 km. This approach was used to investigate variability of the ionospheric electron density over East European region in the heights interval of 100–1000 km during the period from 2003 to 2008, including case-studies of solar eclipses and ionospheric storms.

Increasing inequality in Chalcolithic Southeast Europe: the case of Durankulak

Economic measurement tools allow a quantification of social differences not only for modern societies, but also for prehistoric communities. The use of Gini indices and Lorenz curves for the much discussed Chalcolithic cemetery of Durankulak (Bulgaria) indicates an average increase in material items from 5000 cal BC onwards and a tendency of these items to be distributed somewhat more equally. Towards the end of the Chalcolithic sequence, however, strongly growing inequality was associated with lower average welfare. The steep increase in social inequality might be one of the main reasons for the collapse of Chalcolithic societies around 4100 cal BC in Durankulak, but also in other South East European regions.

Questioning democracy promotion: Belarus' response to the ‘colour revolutions’

The article focuses on the aftermath of the colour revolutions by analysing and questioning the real success, as often depicted by the West, of democracy promotion in the East European region. First of all, the article challenges the conventional logic of democracy promotion – even when backed by moral reasoning and resource availability – as sufficient and adequate for instigating democratic change in non-liberal regimes. By examining the case of Belarus it further contends that authoritarian regimes effectively learn to resist and counteract foreign-led democracy promotion, and often do so legitimately, with a minimal use of force. The article concludes that in order to exercise democracy promotion (if such a thing is possible at all) a far deeper understanding of autocratic narratives is needed, associated with a much closer look at societal norms and values, as well as an individual country's geopolitical resources and strategies.

Collisions and linkages between forestry and environmental policies in South East Europe (SEE) region

The paper presents results from regional surveys and case studies conducted in five countries of South East Europe (SEE). The main aim of the study was to identify the most pronounced forest-related conflicts in the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia) at the policy and management levels and in terms of their type, dimensions as well as actors and their attitudes. A semi-structured mail questionnaire with multiple-choice, ranking and a few open-ended questions was used to collect data on the policy level, while the data needed at the management level were obtained from face-to-face interviews in the chosen case study area. The results revealed forestry-related conflicts with significant differences between countries. The most common conflicts were: forestry vs. nature protection, forestry vs. wood processing industry, forestry vs. grazing and overgrazing, forestry vs. building and construction and forestry vs. water management. Nature and National parks were chosen as case study areas. In most cases, conflicts appeared between public forestry and environmental sectors. They were manifested in a wide range of actions, from silent conflicts far away from the public, over disputes, arguments and discussions at various meetings and public forums up to intensive lobbying and exerting political influence. Key words: South East Europe region, conflict, forestry, case study, forestry policy.

Meeting Report- Drug Policies in South East Europe: Towards Regional Cooperation

On the 19th and 20th March, 2010, the Andreas Papandreou Foundation (APF) and IDPC co-hosted the first informal policy dialogue for the South East European region. The dialogue was attended by NGO representatives and policy makers from Albania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Greece. Participants shared knowledge and experiences from across the region, identifying common problems and key priorities for drug policy advocacy. A working group was set up to take forward the setting up of a regional network.

Does ‘New Regionalism Theory’ Explain the Complementary Role of Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Activity in the Central and Eastern European Region? The Case of Bulgaria

In this paper we attempt to contribute to the ongoing debate about new and old regionalism. First, we focus on the presentation of regional initiatives in the Central & East European (CEE) region and on specific motives behind Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and trade expansion in CEE countries. Then, through empirical research and the analysis of regional initiatives we found that FDI and trade are complementary to each other, while FDI is a characteristic of new regionalism signifying deeper integration. On the other hand, geographical proximity still plays an important role in trade and investment suggesting that elements from both old and new regionalism are apparent in the CEE region. Only a small number of advanced countries participate in a few regional initiatives. However, membership in regional initiatives - if isolated - does not directly and/or simultaneously imply deep integration (new regionalism).