European Union Member Research Articles

Administrating first aid in road traffic accidents in Bulgaria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Bulgaria had the highest road mortality rate among European Union members in 2023, having previously ranked second after Romania. Research has consistently demonstrated that prompt pre-hospital care can significantly reduce the adverse effects of road traffic accidents. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the involvement of trained road traffic casualties and bystanders in administering first aid. Methods The study, carried out between April and December 2021, collected data via an online survey administered to members of the Scientific and Academic Cooperation Council by the State Agency Road Safety. The survey encompassed a range of topics, including first aid training, involvement in traffic accidents, behaviour of bystanders, administration of first aid, and sociodemographics. Results Among the 292 respondents, a sizeable proportion (90%) reported having received first aid training. Of these, 35.1% (95% CI 29.2-41.1%; p < 0.001) had personally experienced a road traffic accident, and 64.5% (95% CI 58.1-70.1%; p < 0.001) had witnessed one. It is noteworthy that a fifth of those involved in accidents had employed the skills acquired from first aid training, which included applying a dressing to a wound, bleeding control, and immobilising a fracture. Correspondingly, an equivalent percentage of bystanders administrated aid, with the majority of them performing basic airway management. However, the findings revealed that a significant proportion of participants (79.3%) did not engage in providing first aid. The primary rationale stated was the assessment that it was nonessential. Conclusions Despite the growing road safety challenges and many respondents witnessing or being involved in accidents, only a quarter of those trained in first aid actually provided assistance. Considering the increasing number of deaths and severe injuries, it is crucial to assess the need for frequent first aid training and the population’s proficiency in first aid. Key messages • Bystanders’ competence in administrating first aid can mitigate the adverse effects of road traffic accidents. • Among other road safety measures, investments in first aid training can be beneficial in reducing fatalities and severe injuries.

From neighbour to member: Assessing Moldova’s EU membership perspectives

This article examines Moldova’s prospective membership in the European Union (EU) in the wake of the EU’s renewed enlargement drive which was prompted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It explores the dynamics shaping Moldova’s accession path, spotlighting obstacles to integration that official reports appear to overlook or underplay. The article compares EU and Moldovan documents, civil society reports, and insights from interviews with Moldovan officials and civil society representatives to gain a nuanced picture of the evolving situation. Attention is also given to the distinct characteristics of the currently unfolding enlargement process, including its sense of urgency and geopolitical significance which have led to calls for an expedited or ‘fast-track’ accession. Findings note that despite Moldova’s impressive progress in aligning with EU standards in many areas, substantial hurdles in justice reform, combating corruption and de-oligarchisation persist. Incomplete public administration reforms, uneven civil society involvement in decision-making, and issues associated with the Transnistria conflict also have consequences for Moldova’s EU prospects, especially if an expedited version of enlargement occurs.

Sustainable energy transition, knowledge co-creation and trade: the case of EU residential energy efficiency

ABSTRACT The European Union (EU) sustainable energy transition requires radical changes of economic, technological, societal and political systems. This paper empirically investigates the relationships among environmental policy, innovation and technological capabilities, and economic performances, in terms of country export competitiveness, focusing on residential energy efficiency goods, a core pillar of the EU energy and climate strategy. We combine network analysis with a gravity model to investigate the evolution of the EU bilateral trade and co-patenting activities from 1990 to 2015, based on a panel of 19 European countries. Our results show that the technological skills of the exporting country, related to the production of the households’ energy-consuming appliances, strongly enhance its export performances, and this effect is stronger when countries are EU members. Cooperation in knowledge creation and institutional proximities between trade partners are further key determinants of export performances of analysed countries.

Does Local Area Social Mobility Affect Political Alienation?

While existing research has considered how individual-level social mobility experiences affect a person’s political outlook, less attention has been paid to how historic levels of social mobility in local areas influence political attitudes and political behaviour. We link individual-level data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study to small area estimates of social class mobility derived from the decennial census. We find that living in a low absolute social mobility area was associated with a higher probability of voting ‘Leave’ in the 2016 UK European Union membership referendum. However, we find no evidence that historical social mobility rates in the local area predict abstention in general elections or attitudinal indicators of political alienation. Given declining rates of upwards mobility, and increasing levels of downwards mobility, our results have important implications for understanding geographies of political discontent.

THE FRIENDSHIP TREATY BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA WITH BULGARIA : CHALLENGES OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES IN THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATION WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

Developments between two or more states that happened in the past should not always be a point of reference in the progress of relations in the future of these first. With the declaration of Macedonia's independence, Bulgaria was among the first to recognize it as a state and helped the "growth" of Macedonia in the international arena. As eastern neighbors in terms of geography, Macedonia and Bulgaria have had a good time without violating each other's sovereignty and without presenting difficulties to each other. In 2017, this friendship was crowned with the friendship treaty between them, but at the moment that Macedonia changed its constitutional name to the Republic of North Macedonia in the hope of avoiding the biggest problem before joining the European Union, it felt too comfortable. Unexpectedly, the veto was used by Bulgaria, which imposed the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution as a condition for Macedonia. In this research paper, it is intended to elaborate and analyze what is the best way to solve the problem without harming the cultural, historical and existential identity of the two states. The main objective of this paper will be to provide hypotheses that will serve to avoid disagreements and remove "pebbles" from the road to the European Union membership of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Assessing the impact of brexit on UK-based inventor teams' connectivity

Contemporary events have challenged the idea of an inevitable rise in connectivity. Economic, geopolitical, and regulatory disruptions have led scholars and practitioners to consider the potential implications that a loss of global mobility and connectedness has on the potential for knowledge creation. Although key to this process, the notion of connectivity has seldom been studied along with disruptions. To fill in this gap, this paper intends to investigate the impact of an unprecedented regulatory shock - the 2016 United Kingdom European Union (EU) membership referendum - on UK-based inventor teams' knowledge connectivity. There is considerable literature documenting a negative relationship between the uncertainty generated by disruptions and innovation. We add a complementary and potentially ameliorating effect whereby disruptions increase knowledge connectivity. We review the evidence for the former and discuss potential mechanisms behind the latter. Relying on patent application data from 2009 to 2022, we observe an overall increase in connectivity for teams with at least one inventor based out of the UK after the referendum. Our analysis also suggests an internationalization of UK teams taking precedence over what may have been a more regional focus. We discuss the immediate, and potential long-term implications of this dynamic for UK innovation.

Unpacking negative public attitudes towards European union integration: insights from a qualitative study in Slovakia

ABSTRACT In the past decade, the European Union (EU) has faced multiple crises that have weakened support for the concept of an ‘ever closer union,’ particularly among the Visegrad Group’s political elite. Euroscepticism has become a prominent feature of national politics and now extends beyond party lines to individual perspectives. This study explores negative perceptions of European integration in Slovakia, a Visegrad Group member, using focus group methodology. Conducted from 2016 to 2019, it involved 30 focus group sessions. The findings reveal that declining support for EU membership is driven by self-interested motives, emotional factors, and populist rhetoric. While the region has seen macroeconomic progress, many Slovakians feel the personal benefits from EU funds are lacking, exacerbated by perceptions of corruption. Additionally, the EU’s unified labor market is viewed as disruptive, straining family ties and daily life, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The ambiguous impact of populist trade discourses on the international economic order

Abstract The relationship between populism and free trade has historically been a complex one. This article argues that populism affects trade not by expressing consistent economic preferences, but by operating as a discourse that articulates external policies as a struggle for popular recognition. We analyse trade discourses of Donald Trump and Brexiteers following their victories in the 2016 United States presidential election and the referendum on European Union membership in the United Kingdom. These populist movements expressed opposing trade preferences: Trumpism was identified with protectionism, while Brexiteers supported free trade. However, they both articulated trade as a way to regain popular sovereignty from elites and hostile outsiders. A discursive approach helps identify a common logic in how populists articulate foreign relations despite pursuing nominally opposing policies. While this populist logic pertains primarily to domestic mobilization, it has implications for the international order as well, as evidenced in the persistence of protectionist instincts in the US under President Biden and the acceptance of a ‘global’ trade policy outside the EU as the new frame of reference for UK external economic relations.

A decade after the escalation of the crisis: how probable is the membership of Ukraine in the European Union?

At the last day of February 2022, Ukraine applied for membership in the European Union. This happened eight years after Russia has taken over Crimea, while engaging in the military support of the pro-Russian forces in Donbas region seceding from Ukraine. The country under military intervention was granted the European Union candidate status in June 2022, along with Moldova and Georgia, four months after the beginning of the Russian attack. Today, eight more countries are in the process of accession to the European Union, none of them being victim of an intervention. Two decades after the so-called Orange Revolution, and ten years after the initial Russian intervention, Ukraine has been stepping forward the European Union membership status. Exactly ten years have passed since the last enlargement of the bloc (in 2013, Croatia joined the Union), potentially signaling the most expressive period of the enlargement fatigue. In the era during which the skepticism for the enlargement is gaining momentum, it is of importance to explore whether Ukraine’s membership is truly acceptable, bearing in mind that the country is the victim of an ongoing intervention, being the first candidate country at war.

AB-Türkiye İlişkileri Bağlamında Ermenilerin Kimlik İnşasına Yeniden Bakış

This article critically analyses the reconstruction of the Armenian identity in the context of reforms in Turkey's European Union (EU) accession process. Within the scope of the research, in order to understand the cultural, ethnic and religious identity construction processes of the Armenian community in Istanbul, the existing academic literature on Armenians in Turkey has been analysed in detail, and field research based on observation and in-depth interviews has been conducted. In line with the historical background ranging from the Ottoman millet system to the Republic's policies of creating a homogenous nation, from the democratisation movement to the EU accession process, the construction process of Armenian identity has been analysed in three stages in the light of the relevant theoretical debates. Firstly, the historical development of different legal statuses evolving from non-Muslims to minorities is analysed; secondly, the reform process brought about by the EU membership process is examined. While analysing this process, the basic dynamics that contributed to the formation of Armenian identity were first identified. Secondly the prominent changes in the legal, political, social and cultural fields that accelerated the reconstruction of the Armenian community's identity by the EU reform process were tried to be identified. Finally, the social dilemmas experienced in the aftermath of the reforms are analysed and the ongoing identity struggle of the Armenian community is outlined. While the EU membership process allows the Armenian community in Turkey to express their identities more openly and freely, social insecurity and dilemmas prevent this process from being fully realised. The study analyses the theoretical approaches to identity construction and the political, economic, social and cultural transformations experienced by the Armenian community in Turkey and offers suggestions on the processes of identity struggle. In particular, it is emphasised that overcoming social insecurities and dilemmas is critical for the sustainable survival of Armenian identity. In this context, it is concluded that more inclusive and supportive policies should be developed in order to preserve the Armenian identity and increase its social acceptance. Key Words: Identity, European Union, Türkiye, Armenian identity, minority

The EU at War: After Two Years

The paper explores the role of the European Union (EU) in the war in Ukraine, from the run-up of the war to its impact on the EU’s future structure and functions, within Europe and globally. It begins with an account of the condition of the EU before the war, which it describes as overextended and stagnant with respect to the EU’s proclaimed finalité, the “ever closer union of the peoples of Europe.” Next, it recounts the use of the EU in early American attempts to include Ukraine in the East European enlargement of NATO, with EU membership as a reward for Ukrainian Westernization. To the EU leadership, this presented an opportunity to revive older, by then largely failed attempts at supranational unification and centralization, by offering to the United States to serve as its transatlantic base for its Ukrainian strategy. Following this, the paper explores the consequences for the EU and its stronger member states of the impending American withdrawal from the Ukrainian war theater, as the US turns to its conflict with China. The final section discusses the conditions under which Europe, the European states, and the EU can hope for some kind of strategic and political autonomy in the emerging new New World Order.

Serotype distribution of invasive pneumococcal disease from countries of the WHO Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions: a systematic literature review from 2010 to 2021.

Most publications on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) serotype distribution are from about 20 countries (Australia, Canada, China, European Union members, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and USA). Here, we reviewed the literature among underrepresented countries in the Americas (AMRO), Africa (AFRO), Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), South-East Asia (SEARO), and Western Pacific (WPRO) WHO regions. We performed a systematic review of the most recent IPD serotype surveillance publications (from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2021, Medline/Embase) in those WHO regions. Selection criteria were delineated by contemporality, within-country geographical scope, and number of samples. Reported serotype distributions for each country were stratified by age group, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) serotype category (considering undifferentiated serotypes), and PCV program period (pre-PCV, intermediate, or PCVhv [higher valency PCV formulation]). Pre-PCV period pooled data estimated PCV serotype category distribution by age group across WHO regions, while for the PCVhv period, country-level dataset tables were prepared. Of 2,793 publications screened, 107 were included (58 pediatric, 11 adult, 37 all ages, and one comprising every age group). One-third of eligible countries (51/135) published serotype distribution, ranging from 30 to 43% by WHO region. Considering number of samples per WHO region, a few countries prevailed: AMRO (Brazil), AFRO (South Africa, Malawi, and Burkina Faso), and WPRO (Taiwan). In the pre-PCV period, PCV13 formulation serotypes predominated: ranging from 74 to 85% in children and 58-86% in adults in the different WHO regions. The PCVhv period represented half of the most recent IPD surveillance by countries (26/51). Undifferentiated serotypes represented >20% of IPD from most countries (34/51). Ubiquity of undifferentiated serotypes among the publications could constrain estimates of PCV program impact and of serotype coverage for newer PCVhv formulations; consequently, we recommend that countries favor techniques that identify serotypes specifically and, rather than reporting PCV formulation serotype distributions, provide serotype results individually. The protocol has been prospectively registered at PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021278501. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=278501.

The problem of refugees and asylum seekers in the axis of Turkey-EU relations: opportunities and challenges

The European Union membership negotiations between Turkey and the European Union have been continuing since 1999. As no result has been obtained from the negotiations yet, it is not thought that Turkey will become a member of the union in the near future. While the process was going on, there were internal turmoil in the countries neighboring Turkey and as a result of this, especially Turkey and the member countries of the union started to receive immigration. The aim of this study is to examine the situation of individuals who had to migrate to Turkey and the member states of the European Union and to analyze the effects of this situation on the relations between the two parties.

EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT IN SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES USING PANEL DATA ANALYSIS

The purpose of this article is to assess the agricultural development of ten Southeast European (SEE) countries from the aspect of key environmental, economic and social indicators of agricultural sustainability management from 2011 to 2020. The article uses a Cross-section panel data Fixed Effects Model to identify relations between agricultural development in SEE countries and mentioned indicators of sustainable agricultural development management. The common sample of all SEE countries shows the economic sustainability, but also the environmental and social unsustainability of their agricultural systems. At a disaggregated level, the subsample of European Union (EU) membership candidate countries also yields the same findings. In contrast, the subsample of EU member states indicates all three dimensions of sustainability, with the exception of the aspect of using renewables. Therefore, both groups of countries should use renewables more intensively in order to contribute to the promotion of their efficient, sovereign and sustainable agricultural growth.

All’s well that ends well: short story of Ukraine’s road towards European Union membership

All’s well that ends well: short story of Ukraine’s road towards European Union membership

АNALYZING THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA AND REFORMS IN THE CONTEXT OF TURKEY’S ASPIRATION FOR EU MEMBERSHIP

This study provides a scholarly overview of Turkey's political landscape , especially in the context of its aspirations for European Union (EU) membership and its commitment to the Copenhagen Criteria. The article describes the historical trajectory of Turkey's Westernization efforts, dating back to the period of Tanzimat and thereforms of Ataturk. The author emphasizes that EU membership is a strategic imperative for Turkey.The author highlights the path of Turkey's reforms since 2001, paying special attention to significant achievements in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are a constant reason for rejecting Turkey's application for membership. However, the author highlig hts the continuing problems, in particular restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, exacerbated by Turkey's withdrawal from international conventions (Istanbul Convention) protecting marginalized groups, especially women affected by gender-based violenc e . Emphasizing the urgent need to address these issues, this article highlights the path of the Republic of Turkey towards concerted efforts by domestic and international stakeholders to strengthe n democratic principles and protect human rights in a changing political environment. The article presents a scientific discourse aimed at promoting a detailed understanding of the trajectory of Turkey's accession to the EU and its broader implications for democratic governance and huma n rights in the region. For a more detailed study of the issue under study, government reporting documents were used: the Report of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights andFreedom of the United States and the Report of Turkey on the fulfillment of criteria

THE INTEGRAL ROLE OF THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT IN EU INTEGRATION THROUGH NATIONAL LAW APPROXIMATION (JANUARY 2018 – DECEMBER 2023)

Background: Albania negotiations for the country's EU membership formally began on 19 July 2022. The process will consist, among others, of approximating national legislation with the EU acquis, which is divided into six thematic clusters. Albania must achieve the country's legislation full compliance with the EU acquis and its successful implementation. Negotiations and subsequent membership in the European Union (EU) will support the democratisation and strengthening of the rule of law in Albania. This research examines the role of the Albanian Parliament in the EU integration process through the approximation of national laws. This desk research serves as a cornerstone for further research and academic studies regarding the Albanian Parliament's involvement in EU integration efforts through the process of national law approximation. Therefore, to better approximate national legislation with that of the EU, it is recommended that Parliament increases the trend of approving laws aimed at approximation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the legislative activity of the Albanian Parliament (Parliament hereinafter) between 2018 and 2023 in terms of approximation of national laws with the EU acquis. The study used a desk review to analyse the annual number of laws adopted and approximated to EU law. Reliable sources from the Official Journals of the Republic of Albania (Albania hereinafter) were used to collect data on laws adopted and approximated during the study period providing an understanding of the total number of laws adopted and approximated for each year, the relevant EU act, and the clusters of the negotiation chapters. Results and Conclusions: Analysing the role of Parliament in EU integration through the approximation of national legislation from 2018 to 2023 highlights the multidimensional nature of the integration process and the important contribution made so far by the legislative power. During the period covered by the study, Parliament has made important efforts to approximate national legislation with EU legislation, which is proven by the study results. Based on the study data, a quantifiable difference was found between the total number of laws approved and those approximated by Parliament from 2018 to 2023. The study's conclusions and recommendations provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in approximating Albanian legislation with the EU acquis and advancing the country's European integration agenda.

A reluctant European? The Czech Republic’s EU membership experience read through the EU Council Presidency

ABSTRACT This paper explores the Czech Republic’s evolving understanding of its Europeanness and its position within the European Union (EU) during its first two decades of membership. The study focuses on the country’s two EU Council Presidencies in 2009 and 2022 as significant platforms for renegotiating its European identity and engaging with questions of the country’s role and vision within the EU. Despite the Czech Republic’s continued ambiguity towards European integration, we observe a surprising discursive shift between the two Presidencies; from a reluctant to a model European. Primarily driven by the political leadership rather than the lived experiences of EU membership among the Czech population, this shift testifies to the influence of the EU Council Presidency as an institution in shaping member states’ positions and the difficulty of deviating from the broader course of European integration.

EU policy on agricultural land turnover: general characteristics

The evolving land reforms in Ukraine and its recent strides towards EU membership accentuate the critical importance of addressing the circulation of agricultural land. This article analyzes the European Union's policies concerning the formulation and execution of regulations governing the transfer of agricultural land, given its doctrinal and practical significance in the context of Ukraine's transitional phase. This academic article examines the intricate relationship between European Union (EU) legislation and the regulation of land ownership within its member states, with a particular focus on agricultural land. The analysis delves into the legal framework provided by Article 345 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which preserves member states' autonomy in land ownership decisions while emphasizing compliance with the principles of free movement of capital. The article reviews key EU guidelines and directives, such as those concerning land policy design and reform processes, common agricultural policy, and financial regulations, which indirectly impact land transactions and ownership. Additionally, it explores the Union's response to challenges such as land grabbing and concentration of ownership, including guidelines for member states to protect agricultural land from speculative practices and monopolization. Furthermore, the article discusses recent legal precedents, notably the CJEU's ruling on Bulgaria's residency requirement for land acquisition, which highlights the tension between national policy objectives and EU principles. Through an analysis of EU legislation, court decisions, and policy recommendations, this article offers insights into the evolving dynamics of land ownership regulation within the EU, aiming to contribute to a deeper understanding of the balance between capital movement and national sovereignty in land governance.

Shaping historical consciousness: the language of Armenian genocide denial in Turkish school textbooks

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the depiction of the Armenian Genocide in Turkish textbooks and examines correlations between changes in Turkish political dynamics and their impact on these educational resources. It analyzes concepts, methodologies, and linguistic constructs used to describe the ‘1915 incident,’ tracking their evolution from 1980 to the present. The study also considers how events like the 1980 coup d’état, rising nationalism, and the Islamization of politics influenced textbook content, alongside changes during Turkey’s bid for European Union membership. Despite a stated aim of historical accuracy in these textbooks, the research hypothesizes that their content is significantly shaped by the prevailing political climate. This work provides insights into the complex relationship between politics and historical representation in educational materials.