EU Countries Research Articles

Legal regulation of parents’ rights and obligations regarding the child’s property under the legislation of Ukraine and the European Union states: comparative legal study

In the scientific article, the author conducted a scientific study of the features of the legal regulation of the rights and obligations of parents regarding the child’s property under the legislation of Ukraine and the European Union. The scientific article indicates that to determine the rights and obligations of parents regarding the child’s property, the family legislation of the EU states uses the categories of «custody of the child’s property» or «management of the child’s property» and, as a rule, includes the powers of parents to manage the child’s property, use the income from such management and the child’s funds, however, the exercise of parental rights and the fulfillment of parental duties in this area is limited by the priority of the child’s interests over the interests of other family members (income from assets is primarily spent on managing such assets and supporting the child, and only then - on supporting other family members; property purchased by parents with the child’s funds becomes the child’s property; transactions concluded regarding the child’s property must be concluded in the interests of the child, and in some cases - with the permission of the family court). The family legislation of the EU countries, unlike the family legislation of Ukraine, applies the legal regime of separation of the property of parents and the property of their children. Unlike the family legislation of Ukraine, which provides for the need to provide consent for the conclusion of certain transactions regarding the child’s property by the guardianship and trusteeship authorities, the legislation of the EU countries grants such powers to the family court (Germany), the family judge (France), the family and guardianship court (Poland), the orphan’s court (Latvia), and the general court (Czech Republic, Estonia). French, Latvian, and Polish family legislation specifically define the issue of exercising judicial control over the management of the child’s property by its parents (not only through the mechanism of providing consent to conclude transactions in the interests of the child, but also through the submission of inventories of the property under management, changes to the inventories in the event of a significant change in the value and volume of such property, an annual management report with detailed information on maintenance expenses together with supporting documents for the family judge to verify the appropriateness of the parents’ management of their children’s property). Also interesting is the approach of the Polish and Slovak legislators, which not only determine the need to return the child’s property from the management carried out by its parents, but also determine specific terms of return and the consequences of failure to comply with it.

Implementation of the right to be forgotten in online archives: ECHR practice

The article is devoted to the legal analysis of the development of the right to be forgotten in the digital age. The author analyses the features of the exercise of the right to be forgotten taking into account the practice of the ECHR. It is established that the right to be forgotten reflects the ability of an individual to demand the deletion or deactivation (de-indexing) of information, including personal data, its depersonalization or the application of other technical measures that limit access to certain information for a specific circle of users. It is proven that in Ukraine there is practically no legal regulation on the right to be forgotten, the exception is certain legislative provisions on the protection of personal data; in the EU countries the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR is in force, which regulates certain aspects of the right to be forgotten in the context of the exercise of the right to protection of personal data. It is established that archives serve as an important source of information about modern history, local events, therefore legally published information must remain in archives (including online archives) intact and complete. It is established that the ECtHR has repeatedly emphasized that national authorities should be particularly vigilant when considering requests based on respect for privacy to delete or modify the electronic version of an archived article, the legality of which was not questioned at the time of its first publication. It is proven that the practice of the ECtHR reflects the trends of recent years in prioritizing the protection of personal data in cases concerning the balance of the right to privacy of individuals and the right to freedom of the media, freedom of expression. It is proven that the practice of the ECtHR has updated the criteria that courts and data controllers must take into account in order to properly balance competing interests in cases concerning the exercise of the right to be forgotten in online archives, but a number of unresolved questions still remain: what should be done in cases where a person whose request for deletion was granted has decided to become a civil servant or public figure; on what grounds may the court choose an alternative measure to ensure the right to be forgotten (delisting or deindexing), and others. It is argued that the practice of the ECHR on the right to be forgotten is helpful in interpreting the content of the right to be forgotten, and the possibilities of its protection.

What Policies Do Local Governments Use to Promote Physical Activity? A Comparative Analysis of Municipalities From 4 EU Countries and Japan

Background: As public policies have the potential to change the entire system of physical activity (PA) promotion and to create conducive environments, they are particularly relevant to address the persistently low levels of PA across the world. Furthermore, WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity highlights the relevance of local governments as important partners for policy action. However, our knowledge on how local PA promotion policy compares across countries remains limited. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study as part of the LoGoPAS project to compare the status quo of local PA policies across five municipalities in five different countries. Using purposive sampling, Jyväskylä (Finland), Nice (France), Erlangen (Germany), Fujisawa (Japan) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania) were selected. Data were collected and analysed via desk research and expert consultation using the CAPLA-Santé, a validated tool designed to assess relevant aspects of local PA promotion policies. Results: The analysis showed that the main responsibility for PA promotion varied between municipalities, resting either with the sport or the health sector. A total of 50 relevant PA policy documents were identified, focusing on multiple settings and target groups. Budgets for PA promotion differed across municipalities. Research on PA was reported to have informed policy development in some but not all cases. Across countries, political support was identified as a key driver of local PA promotion. Conclusion: LoGoPAS is the first study to apply the CAPLA-Santé outside of France and the first to use it for an international comparative analysis. Results highlight the ability of the tool to provide insights into local PA policy development, contents, and implementation worldwide. While this study provided a cross-sectional in-depth analysis of the status quo in select municipalities, future research could also aim to assess policies at a large scale, i.e. for multiple municipalities and/or on a regular basis.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Atogepant in Healthy Japanese and White Adults.

Atogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist approved for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults in the USA, EU, and several other countries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and dose proportionality of atogepant in healthy Japanese participants, evaluate the safety and tolerability of atogepant in Japanese participants, and explore the differences in the PK and safety of atogepant in Japanese vs white participants. A total of 50 participants (40 Japanese and 10 white) were enrolled into five cohorts; Japanese cohorts were randomized in a 4:1 ratio to atogepant (10mg, 30mg, or 60mg daily dosing and 60mg twice daily) or placebo. The white participants were randomized to atogepant (60mg twice daily) or placebo. Doses were administered on day 1 and days 3-8, with those on days 1 and 8 administered after an overnight fast. In Japanese participants, atogepant exposure increased with dose, and there was no accumulation with once-daily dosing and minimal (~ 20%) accumulation with twice-daily dosing. Atogepant steady-state exposure appeared to be marginally lower in Japanese participants compared with white participants and was well tolerated. There were no treatment-related adverse events, serious adverse events, clinically significant changes in vital signs, or signs of suicidal ideation or behaviors. Atogepant exposure increased with dose in healthy Japanese participants and was well tolerated within the dose range tested.

Telemedicine in cancer care: lessons from COVID-19 and solutions for Europe

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic challenged healthcare delivery, especially cancer care. Telemedicine emerged as an important tool to reduce disease transmission risks, maintain continuity of care, and improve accessibility. This study explores temporary measures during the pandemic as well as challenges and facilitators for integrating telemedicine into the European healthcare landscape in five case countries, focusing on cancer care. Expert interviews were conducted in five EU countries with diverse health systems: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, and Poland. A thematic analysis was performed. Themes were further explored related to regulatory changes during COVID-19 as well as barriers and facilitators to telemedicine implementation. COVID-19 accelerated telemedicine uptake and processes (i.e. regulations, reimbursement) in all case countries. Acceptance of telemedicine increased among healthcare professionals and patients. Post-pandemic telemedicine use and acceptance declined to pre-pandemic levels in some countries and was attributed to several factors including preferences for in-person visits. Overall, persistent barriers were identified by all country experts including lack of standardized policies, data privacy concerns, technological infrastructure issues, and digital literacy gaps. Telemedicine was validated by all country experts as an important tool to enhance cancer care access and efficiency and to help maintaining continuity of cancer care during crises. Our findings highlight some overlapping barriers and suggest solutions to overcome these barriers across the selected countries. Recommendations for policymakers are listed, emphasizing the importance of telemedicine services in improving healthcare access, efficiency, and resilience. Future research should incorporate diverse population studies, patient perspectives, cost-effectiveness, and policy impacts.

Bridging the wealth gap: Simulating universal inheritance in four EU countries

The idea of a Universal Inheritance (UI) has been recently gaining weight amongst scholars concerned over increasing wealth inequality. A UI consists of a one-off public payment of an agreed sum to each citizen of young adulthood. In this article, we provide the results of novel simulations to assess the cost and the distributive impact of such policy by testing different parameters for both the benefit amount and its financing. The simulations run on a top-tail adjusted version of the Household Financial Consumption Survey covering four countries: Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. We find that, under some parameters, a UI would significantly reduce inequality and could be realistically financed by taxing the top 1%.

Cyber security in international relations: Risks and prospects

The purpose of this article is to determine the essence, theoretical foundations, and legislative aspects of regulating cyber security in international areas, as well as researching risks and prospects for improving cyber security at the international level. The problems of ensuring cyber security at the international level, as well as the key cyber threats that have the greatest damage in the cyber security of the countries of the world, have been studied. The main directions of international cooperation on ensuring cyber security at the international level have been determined. The peculiarities of cyber security of the EU countries are characterized, as well as the legislative acts that regulate this activity and are distributed to all members of the union. The main characteristics of cyber security of the NATO countries and the BRICS association, as well as the peculiarities of cyber security regulation, taking into account the difference in the legal framework of the participating countries, are provided. The characteristics of the cyber security of China, Japan and Great Britain are highlighted, as well as the basics of cyber security of Ukraine are defined: problems and prospects for its further development, probable directions of borrowing world experience in cyber protection of national interests.

Progress and Challenges of Circular Economy in Selected EU Countries

Circular economy (CE) is a model that is gaining significance in the context of sustainable development and environmental protection, focusing on minimizing waste generation and maximizing the use of available resources through recycling and extending product life cycles. The implementation of CE in various European Union countries demonstrates diverse approaches to resource management, waste production, and energy efficiency improvement. These differences primarily stem from varying strategies, national policies, levels of social awareness, and technological advancements. The article identifies the key challenges and barriers associated with CE implementation in selected countries—Poland, the Netherlands, and Romania—and highlights specific areas requiring improvement and adaptation. It emphasizes the critical role of aligning national policies with the EU guidelines, promoting ecological education, and investing in innovative technologies and solutions that support sustainable development. Additionally, it points to the need for developing appropriate waste management infrastructure and encouraging businesses and consumers to change habits and engage in pro-environmental actions.

Capital structure specificity in knowledge-intensive industries: A comparative study of EU countries

PURPOSE: This paper aims to examine and compare the capital structure patterns and financial decision-making determinants of knowledge-based firms and traditional industries in selected EU countries over the period 2000–2023. The study seeks to uncover sector-specific features, focusing on the unique financial behaviors of knowledge-intensive enterprises compared to their traditional counterparts. It also explores how factors such as asset structure, profitability, and growth opportunities influence capital structure decisions within these industries, thus providing implications for financial management in innovation-driven sectors. METHODOLOGY: The methodology involves analyzing data from 12 EU countries, categorized by industry (sectors M and J for knowledge-based firms and other sectors for traditional firms) and firm size. The research applies panel data modeling to evaluate the differences and influences on capital structure within these groups. FINDINGS: The study reveals that knowledge-based firms exhibit distinct capital structure characteristics, including a higher reliance on intangible assets and lower ratios of long-term debt compared to traditional firms. Specifically, the findings indicate that intangible assets are positively correlated with total and long-term debt in knowledge-based firms, meaning that an increase in intangible asset value is associated with a corresponding increase in total and long-term debt levels. This relationship aligns with the modified pecking order theory, which posits that firms prioritize funding sources based on their perceived cost and risk. The determinants of capital structure – such as profitability and growth opportunities – also demonstrate differing impacts, revealing the unique financial strategies employed by knowledge-based firms. IMPLICATIONS: This research highlights the importance of adapting financial strategies to the specific needs of knowledge-based firms, which often face unique challenges due to their reliance on intangible assets. Policymakers can use these findings to design targeted financial policies that support the growth and sustainability of innovation-driven enterprises, such as by offering incentives for intangible asset financing or by reducing barriers to accessing long-term debt. For practitioners, the insights highlight the need to align financial decision-making with sector-specific characteristics to optimize capital structure and drive competitive advantage. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This research makes a unique contribution by providing one of the first comparative analyses of capital structure determinants across knowledge-based and traditional firms in multiple EU countries over an extended timeframe (2000–2023). Unlike prior studies, which often focus on individual sectors or countries, this study offers a comprehensive and cross-sectoral perspective, enriching the understanding of how financial theories operate in diverse economic and institutional contexts. By addressing the financial behaviors of knowledge-intensive firms, the research bridges a critical gap in the literature and informs both academia and practice.

A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE EU ENERGY DEPENDENCY IN TERMS OF CONVENTIONAL RESOURCES

Energy has been an important and priority subject for the European Union, while the Ukrainian war have intensified the member countries' uncertainties about the energy security. This paper aims to highlight the EU countries energy dependency on conventional resources. In this regard, this study presents a brief analysis regarding the 27 EU member states' domestic production, trade and consumption of conventional energy resources, especially oil products, natural gas and solid fossil fuels, for the period 20142022. The results show that there are differences between EU countries in terms of domestic production, internal consumption and trade. Although the situation for solid fossil fuels is optimistic, most EU countries need to rely on imports of petroleum products and natural gas from Russia in order to cover their consumption needs

The relationship between economic growth and finance of the social security sector: Evidence from EU countries

We explore whether the primary financial variables of the social security sector and changes in the GDP are complementary, thus allowing for better forecasts. Thus, it is crucial to create policies that promote fiscal sustainability and societal well-being. We analysed EU countries for the period 2003-2019. We found that the Granger burdens of causation were not equally distributed. Revenue redistribution plays a greater role than allocation. This is because, in countries that were members of the community before 2004, expenditures and revenues were characterised by bidirectional Granger causality. In turn, in countries that joined the community in 2004 and later, expenditure and balance were characterised by bidirectional Granger causality. Granger causality, demonstrated on the basis of GDP changes to expenditure, is of key importance here, and it is GDP changes that may result in changes in expenditure in EU countries, and not vice versa. This is particularly important for countries where the financial situation in this sector is more challenging.

The role of criminal liability for illegal possession of a vehicle

The aim of the study is to analyse the impact of criminal liability on the prevention of and counteraction to illegal acts. The article identifies legal problems and challenges associated with the application of criminal liability for the type of offences under research. The work employs the methods of legal audit, comparative and statistical analysis, research of the case law and court decisions in the EU countries. The results of the study demonstrate that the strengthening of criminal liability helps to reduce the number of cases of illegal possession of a vehicle and increase citizens’ legal awareness. The article defines the principles of legality, humanity, and justice in accordance with the introduction of criminal liability, and offers recommendations for its improvement. Special attention is paid to the development of measures for increasing the effectiveness of law enforcement in the Eastern European countries. The study also explores the role of public awareness campaigns in reducing instances of illegal vehicle possession and fostering a culture of lawfulness. It highlights the importance of integrating technological advancements into preventive strategies, such as vehicle tracking systems and digital reporting platforms. Additionally, the article examines the correlation between the severity of penalties and the recidivism rates, proposing adjustments to sentencing policies to balance deterrence and rehabilitation. The practical significance of the study is to identify opportunities for improving legal regulation and to make proposals for authorities and interested parties in order to optimize criminal legal processes. Further research should be focused on finding effective means of regulating legal liability and improving rehabilitation programmes to reduce crime rates

Practical, low-cost integrity testing of diesel particle filters using remote sensing measurement at the campus entrance gate.

This work investigates the detection of defunct or absent diesel particle filters by drive-through remote sensing measurement at the Czech University of Life Sciences main vehicular entrance gate. An exhaust sample was collected by a line attached to the road surface in the center of the travel lane. A non-volatile particle number (nvPN) counter and electric mobility particle size classifier were used to measure particle number concentrations, and an FTIR analyzer was used to measure CO2, CO, and NO concentrations. Of 59.7% of 526 entering vehicles, peak CO2 concentrations above 100ppm were observed, suggesting that the entrance gate is ideal for sampling-style remote sensing measurements due to high signal strength and controlled spacing between vehicles. On 48 vehicles, the measurements were compared to a 10-s periodic technical inspection (PTI) style measurement of tailpipe nvPN concentrations at idle. The results indicate nearly absolute agreement in distinguishing diesel vehicles with and without a functional DPF, with one outlier with a relatively weak CO2 signal and weak correlation between roadside nvPN and CO2 concentrations. Using a linear regression approach to calculate the remote sensing emissions factors (EF) and restricting the data to those with peak CO2 at least 100ppm yielded an absolute agreement not only between tailpipe nvPN concentrations at idle and remote sensing nvPN EF but also between tailpipe nvPN and roadside concentration of both nvPN and total particle number in 25-560nm size bins. The reported setup presents, in the authors' opinion, a relatively simple, robust, non-obtrusive, and practical means of checking DPF functionality in locations interested in excluding high emitters, such as university campuses, airports, large parking garages, national park entrances, and similar locations where entering vehicles are fully warmed up and not cooled down by extended waiting in line. Relatively strong CO2 signal yielding high accuracy of detection of non-DPF diesels with laboratory instrument presents, in the opinion of the authors, a very high chance of successful exploitation of diffusion chargers, nvPN counters intended for PTI use in several EU countries, and other low-cost particle number sensors, with detection limit in thousands of #/cm3, and possibly low-cost black carbon monitors, along with a low-cost NDIR CO2 sensor and a camera or other means of identifying individual tested vehicles, for detecting defunct diesel particle filters. The CO2 signal alone can identify vehicles using internal combustion engines. Extending this measurement to CO and NO concentrations may also detect non-functional three-way and NOx-reducing catalysts, as demonstrated on three L-category vehicles, one quad, and two motorcycles. The setup also could be used as a drive-through, loaded-mode PTI test.

Customs Penalties in the EU and Ukraine: Harmonizing the Unharmonized

This paper is an international law research on (1) the challenges of customs offenses harmonization in the EU, (2) an approximation of Ukraine’s (or other candidate country’s) legislation with the EU customs acquis. The research aims to (a) clarify the situation in the field of customs offenses, (b) analyse previous harmonization efforts, (c) find common denominators, and (d) synthesize the recommendations on how Ukraine shall act to harmonize with the EU customs acquis in the relevant field. At least two successful cases of harmonization are analysed, and conclusions are highlighted. A particular analysis is provided on the impossibility of abrupt alignment or using any EU country as a role model. The article offers an alternative – a gradual approximation by exchanging best practices. The research also emphasizes the importance of the procedural factors in the harmonization process. The article also defines additional possible sources of best practices such as (1) effectiveness, proportionality, and dissuasiveness through the prism of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) interpretations and (2) European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law.

Public acceptance of microbiome management strategy in dairy calves: A European survey on colostrum, probiotic provision and prolonged cow-calf contact

The microbiome plays a crucial role in the calves' early stages of life. Several management practices can be considered to enhance the development and composition of the microbiome in calves. However, their social acceptance is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the public acceptance of innovative microbiome management practices aimed at improving the health and welfare of calves and to assess the factors influencing these levels of acceptance. Data used in the analysis were obtained from an online survey conducted in July 2023. The final sample consists of 3220 citizens from four EU countries (Finland=813, France=803, Ireland=801 and Poland=803). Participants were asked to assess four management practices designed to improve calves' health and welfare: (1) using colostrum, (2) providing mix probiotics powder, (3) providing probiotics as yogurt or kefir and (4) prolonged cow-calf contact. Participants were provided with different levels of information: one group received only a short description of the intervention, while the other group received both the intervention description and information on aspects such as potential costs and environmental impact of the intervention. Participants were asked to rate the acceptance on a standardised scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating "strongly agree" and 5 indicating "strongly disagree". Additionally, the participants were questioned about their socio-demographic background (e.g. age, education). They were also asked to provide their perspectives on various dimensions concerning familiarity with farming and microbiome, food safety, environmental awareness, cost consideration, and cultural perspective of consuming dairy products. Obtained data were analysed using the ordinary least squares regression model. The findings reveal that prolonged cow-calf contact was the most acceptable measure among tested interventions in all countries (79% of responders agreed or strongly agreed). Attitudinal and socio-economic variables were found to have a differential effect across the studied management strategies. For instance, individuals with greater familiarity with farming systems and microbiomes were more inclined to accept all four interventions, while women, compared to men, showed higher acceptance of prolonged cow-calf contact. Results also indicate that the provision of additional information to the participants was associated with a decrease in the acceptance of the measures. In conclusion, the public's perceptions regarding microbiome management strategies in dairy calves are shaped by complex factors. Also, our discussion emphasises the importance of clarity and transparency of messages, ethical dissemination of scientific knowledge, and the necessity for balanced and coherent communication.

Regulatory framework for e-documentation and cyber protection amidst society's digital shift

Introduction: Ukraine's active integration into the European community emphasises the crucial role of digital technologies in ensuring the population's welfare and the country's economic growth. Studying the peculiarities of electronic document management in the EU countries will help avoid mistakes and develop an effective system that will meet European standards in many countries on the way to Europeanisation. Objectives: analyse the legal aspects of electronic document management, identify security issues in the information space in Ukraine, and assess Ukrainian e-justice compliance with European standards in the context of digital transformation. Methods: It was conducted using general scientific methods, including analysis of legal documents, generalisation, synthesis, system analysis, analytical diagnostics, and statistical data analysis.Results: It is proved that the legal support of the electronic document management system ensures centralised management of documents, their entire life cycle, collaboration, confidentiality, automatic routing and integration with other systems by the legal documents establishing the legal framework on which the relations between the participants to the process are built, defining their rights, duties and responsibilities. Conclusion: The article identifies the main areas of development and problematic aspects of implementing the e-justice system at the current stage of its formation, as well as the prospects for introducing new technologies in this area

The role of hydropower on energy market: a comparative study in four EU countries

Abstract The development of energy prices over time has depended on several factors. Difficulties and disruptions in local and global energy markets caused by climate change, pandemics and wars have accelerated the transition to clean energy. The overview of electricity generation in four countries (e.g. Lithuania, Italy, Iceland and Austria) is examined. The energy policy outlined in the REPowerEU program focuses on saving energy, producing clean energy and diversifying the energy supply at EU level and in the member states. However, more electricity production from non-dispatchable renewable energy sources has introduced a phenomenon of negative electricity prices, highlighting importance of energy storage. This paper focuses on the contribution that hydropower can bring to the energy market. Two contributions of hydropower assets are crucial in the European energy market for the regulation of the power grid. The flexibility and storage capabilities of reservoir and pumped storage power plants are unmatched by any other technology. These contributions of the hydropower sector to the energy market and the new challenges in the operation of hydropower plants are discussed involving critical analysis of four countries.

Enhancing road safety of PLEVs by novel vehicle concepts: A comprehensive investigation on regulations, accident statistics, and perception of riders in Europe.

The rise of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), including electric bicycles and electric kick scooters, represents a relevant trend in current urban mobility. PLEVs offer economic, social, and environmental advantages, making them increasingly attractive for short-distance travel. Despite their benefits, concerns about the safety of PLEVs, particularly related to road accidents, have arisen due to their growing presence in urban areas. This paper examines various aspects of PLEV safety, focusing on equipment required by regulations, circulation aspects, and users' needs; based on such highlights, the objective is to derive a vehicle concept (in the form of a kick scooter) that integrates elements for PLEV safety maximization starting from the design phase. A review of PLEV-related regulation in European countries, and particularly for electric kick scooters, is initially provided to determine the mandatory equipment for their circulation in the widest possible number of countries. Analysis of accident data for PLEVs in the EU then reveals critical factors contributing to the occurrence of crashes, injuries, and casualties, as well as the type and severity of riders' injuries. Surveys on user perceptions shed light on safety concerns of daily riders, indicating the most relevant aspects to enhance from the user's perspective. Based on these findings, the study proposes a novel electric kick scooter concept integrating safety features derived from regulations, accident analysis, and user needs. Safety equipment aimed at increasing riding stability (high diameter wheel, pneumatic tyres) appears as the most promising solution for maximizing PLEV safety. Inclusion of turning light indicators can also increase riding stability, since the user can exhibit his/her intention of turning while maintaining the contact with the handlebar; as of today, this latter feature is mandatory only in Italy among all EU countries. The work additionally emphasizes the need for harmonized regulations, enhanced safety standards, specifically designed infrastructure, and user awareness campaigns to improve PLEV safety. This research is functional for the proposal of a sustainable and safe transportation solution that can increase the consensus towards PLEVs and the consequent spread of electric microvehicles.

The hidden cost of illicit trade: Evaluating the physiological health of smuggled European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla).

European eel is considered a "critically endangered" species due to its population decline (c.a. 98%) in all European waters, primarily because human activities. The eel life cycle is very complex as it includes long migrations, and although aquaculture can help in repopulation, at this time artificially raised eel larvae have little survival. Therefore, to reverse this situation, in 2007 the EU adopted the Eel Regulation, starting a series of plans to improve the conservation and the recovery of the eel population, which included a ban on importing and exporting eels in all EU countries. However, an illegal global market and food fraud developed, turning Europe into the source of the international illegal eel trade. This study reports the evaluation of the welfare consequences of the illegal transport of European glass eels using their epithelial mucus, one of the most promising tools for studying endangered fish species. We also aimed to determine the recovery time required in controlled conditions before their release to the Ebro River. The results showed that high metabolite and cortisol levels were observed in mucus. In addition, the defensive capacity against possible bacterial infections was also affected due to the transport conditions as bacterial co-culture with mucus analysis indicated. Regarding the recovery time, we analysed the same parameters as for the initial transport point resulting in a stabilisation of stress parameters and an increased defensive capacity from day 3 to the final release, but the best results were observed after 2months under optimal conditions. These findings suggest that transport stress is critical for the survival of glass eels, and the stress and defensive capacities analysis suggests the need for a recovery period prior to release. This approach represents a valuable contribution both for species subject to illegal trade and for the conservation of endangered species.

Bilateral relations as a key element of international cooperation — 48–54

Today, domestic institutions and organizations maintain bilateral relations in the scientific field with more than fifty countries around the world, and the number of existing bilateral agreements reaches five thousand. For Ukrainian scientists, integration into the European Research Area is an opportunity to deepen cooperation with the EU scientific community, and for the state, it is a tool for adapting EU standards and norms in the field of science and innovation. The article examines the place of bilateral relations as a key element of strengthening international cooperation. The insufficient level of research on assessing the level of influence of the scale of bilateral cooperation on the development of international cooperation is emphasised. The main stages of the development and strengthening of bilateral scientific and technical cooperation (contributions of the parties, project implementation, obtaining scientific returns and practical results, determining medium and long-term consequences) are considered. The main directions of international cooperation in the scientific field with the EU and NATO countries in the framework of Ukraine’s integration into the European Scientific Area and the role of bilateral scientific and technical cooperation in this process are analysed. It is emphasized that modern research project support programmes already at the application stage require that the participating organization has a foreign partner in one of the participating countries, which encourages domestic organizations to enter into bilateral agreements to access grant opportunities. The article also outlines further prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in Ukraine.