scholarly journals Determining Food Security in Crisis Conditions: A Comparative Analysis of the Western Balkans and the EU

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9924
Author(s):  
Bojan Matkovski ◽  
Danilo Đokić ◽  
Stanislav Zekić ◽  
Žana Jurjević
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Promethee Method ◽  
Crisis Conditions ◽  
The Eu

The right to food is a fundamental one, and the optimization between human needs and available resources is a challenge in all countries. The main goal of this study is to find the factors that determine food security and to determine the level of food security in the Western Balkans while undergoing the process of European Union (EU) integration. In order to achieve this, four Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) dimensions of food security are analyzed: stability, availability, access, and utilization. The Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) method is then used to rank Western Balkan and EU countries according to food security. The results show a significant difference among these countries in terms of their levels of food security, which is a consequence of Western Balkan countries’ significant lag in economic development in comparison to the EU. Although the level of food security in Western Balkan countries is lower than in EU countries, it is not endangered. However, it can become endangered under crisis conditions (like the COVID-19 pandemic). The main reasons for this discrepancy are high food supply variability, dependence on cereal import, and lower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in these countries than in EU.

scholarly journals The Impact of Corruption, Economic Freedom and Urbanization on Economic Development: Western Balkans versus EU-27

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9743
Author(s):  
Nerajda Feruni ◽  
Eglantina Hysa ◽  
Mirela Panait ◽  
Irina Gabriela Rădulescu ◽  
Alina Brezoi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Freedom ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

The topic of economic development has been addressed in recent decades from more and more points of view in order to identify the factors with significant impact on this phenomenon. Identifying the factors and measuring their impact on economic development are essential starting points for adopting the necessary public policies. Similar types of research for the Western Balkan countries and comparative analyses between the Western Balkans and the European Union countries are limited in number. Hence, the main purpose of this paper is to empirically test the impact of corruption, economic freedom, and urbanization on the economic development for both the Western Balkan countries and the EU countries for the period 2009–2018 to provide a comparative analysis for these two groups. The corruption perception index, economic freedom index, and urban population growth are chosen as independent variables, whereas the dependent variable of the human development index (HDI) represents economic development. Using the Random Effects model, which falls under the Panel Generalized Least Square method, the empirical analysis suggests that corruption has a negative impact on economic development, while economic freedom and urbanization have a positive impact on the economic development for both groups of countries. However, the impact of corruption is more destructive in the Western Balkans, and they appear to benefit more from economic freedom and urbanization as compared to the EU countries. Whether the impact of the chosen independent variables is restricted to any component of the HDI in particular is left open for further studies in the future, though the results of this paper are highly significant and in accordance with the reviewed literature.

scholarly journals Unia Europejska wobec Bałkanów Zachodnich w kontekście kryzysu migracyjnego w latach 2015‑2019

Politeja ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3(66)) ◽  
pp. 157-169
Author(s):  
Wawrzyniec Banach
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Research Goal ◽  
Accession Process ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
The Eu

European Union towards Western Balkans in the Context of Migration Crisis 2015‑2019 The aim of the article is to analyse the actions taken by the European Union towards the Western Balkans in the context of the migration crisis. The study assumes that the migration crisis was an important factor accelerating the accession process of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. In order to fulfil the research goal, an analysis of sources (European Union documents) was conducted. The paper uses elements of the theory of the regional security complex as a theoretical framework. Firstly, the activities of the European Union before the migration crisis are discussed. Next, the paper focuses on presenting the course of the crisis on the Western Balkan route. The further part of the study discusses the actions taken by the EU towards the countries of the Western Balkans in response to the migration crisis.

scholarly journals SOLIDARITY CHECK IN TIMES OF COVID-19. ANALYSIS OF THE EU APPROACH TOWARDS ITS CLOSEST NEIGHBOURS WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON MONTENEGRO

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Đurić ◽  
Bojana Lalatović
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Member States ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
The Eu

Solidarity as one of the cornerstone values of the European Union has been once again seated on the red chair and intensively discussed within the European Union and broader. After the economic recession and migrant crisis that marked the last two decades, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has once again harshly tested the fundamental objectives and values of the European Union and the responsiveness and effectiveness of its governance system on many fronts. In April, 2020 several EU Member States were among the worst affected countries worldwide and this situation soon became similar in their closest neighbourhood. It put a huge pressure on the EU to act faster, while at the same time placing this sui generis community to the test that led to revealing its strengths and weaknesses. As it happened in the previous crises, the Union launched policies and various programmes that were meant to lessen the burden of the Member States and aspiring countries caused by the crises. The objectives of the mentioned soft law instruments that the EU adopted during the COVID-19 crisis has been not only to show that EU law is equipped to react to health and economic crises rapidly but to deliver its support in terms of solidarity to its Member States and its closest neighbours facing the unprecedented health and economic crisis. This article will explore the value and implication of the solidarity principle in times of Covid-19 in its various manifestations. A special focus will be on the financial and material aspects of the EU instruments created to combat the negative consequences of the pandemic and their further impact on shaping the solidarity principle within the EU system. While examining the character and types of these mechanisms a special focus will be placed on those available to Western Balkan countries, whereas Montenegro as the “fast runner” in the EU integration process will be taken as a case study for the purpose of more detailed analyses. One of the major conclusions of the paper will be that although the speed of the EU reactions due to highly complex structure of decision making was not always satisfying for all the actors concerned, the EU once again has shown that it is reliable and that it treats the Western Balkan countries as privileged partners all for the sake of ending pandemic and launching the socio-economic recovery of the Western Balkans. Analytical and comparative methods will be dominantly relied upon throughout the paper. This will allow the authors to draw the main conclusions of the paper and assess the degree of solidarity as well as the effectiveness of the existing EU instruments that are available to Montenegro and aimed at diminishing negative consequences of the crisis.

scholarly journals Ethical Issues and Barriers for Multi-National Paediatric Clinical Trials: The Challenging Experience of the DEEP Project

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4820-4820
Author(s):  
Viviana Giannuzzi ◽  
Mariagrazia Felisi ◽  
Hugo Devlieger ◽  
Aurelio Maggio ◽  
George Papanikolaou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Comparative Trial ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Paediatric Trial ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Eu

Introduction: The procedures and requirements for the clinical trial application (CTA) to Ethics Committees (ECs) and/or Competent Authorities (CAs) are not fully harmonised, and this is even more evident when non-EU countries are involved. This lack of harmonisation makes more difficult the approach in the case of 'small populations', such as children and patients affected by rare diseases. A phase III efficacy-safety comparative trial (DEEP-2) involving paediatric patients affected by transfusion dependent haemoglobinopathies from seven European and non-European countries (Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom, Egypt, Tunisia) was carried out in the context of a FP7 project (HEALTH-F4-2010-G.A. n. 261483) and included in an agreed Paediatric Investigation Plan. Aims: The aims of this paper are to describe in a complex multi-national/multi-ethnic framework the different provisions and procedures to authorise a paediatric trial in EU/non-EU countries and to evaluate the possible impact of the following key indicators on the timing of ECs approval and CAs authorisation: complexity of the national/local provisions and procedures to authorise a paediatric trial, including the number of ECs and CAs to be addressed; number and type of additional local/national documentation; number of queries from CAs and ECs; geographic setting (EU and non-EU). Methods: The following information was collected from official websites and through a survey addressed to Principal Investigators: The regulatory and legal frameworks in force at the time of the submission of DEEP-2 in each involved country;The procedures required at local/national level (i.e. number of ECs and CAs to be addressed, parallel or subsequent submission to the CA and the EC, preparation of the CTA form and documents required from CAs and ECs);The timing of ECs approval and CAs authorisation, including number and types of queries, were collected from DEEP-2 Trial Master File. Descriptive analysis, Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and General Linear Model (GLM) analysis were used to describe results and to analyse significance of the considered indicators. Results: In the EU countries, relevant legislative acts apply and include GCP and specific procedures for paediatric trials, in non-EU countries GCP guidelines apply but have not been implemented in the national laws regulating clinical trials. Moreover, within the 4 EU Member States a different approach was in place, even if under the same rules (i.e. Directive 2001/20/EC as implemented in the national law) with distinctive documents required for the CTA in almost all the EU countries compared with the EC provisions. The CTAs were performed in the period June 2012 - September 2015 in 23 trial sites. The EC approvals and CA authorisations were issued between January 2013 - September 2015. In the EU countries, the authorisation process was completed within 7,3 to 33,8 months (median = 15 months), while in non-EU countries, the authorisation process was completed by 7 months (median = 4 months) (figure 1). In particular, the comparison of the CA time authorisation shows a significant difference between EU and non-EU clusters (p = 0.001); however, if the statistical model is adjusted for the number of EC requests as covariate, the difference is not significant. Thus, it seems that the main factor influencing the time for EC approval is the number of requests for changes/clarifications (mainly on informed consent/assent, study protocol, insurance) (figure 2). Conclusion: Delays in completion of the authorisation phase in many countries seems to be a relevant issue and the timeframes for the authorisation in EU countries are not compliant with the European requirements (60 days for single opinion release and 30 days for its acceptance, as stated in Directive 2001/20/EC). The main reasons for delay is the complexity of the procedures and the requests from the ECs/CAs. In non-EU countries, procedures are different and faster with less requests from ECs and CAs. The upcoming application of a stronger set of rules, CT-Regulation (EU) 536/2014, is expected to harmonise practices in Europe and possibly outside Europe. The final aim of this change should be to assure a good balance between a timely approval and a high-level of children protection. Disclosures Reggiardo: CVBF: Consultancy. Tricta:ApoPharma: Employment.

Bulgaria will push for Western Balkans’ EU integration

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
European Council ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Eu Integration ◽  
Commission President ◽  
Positive Light ◽  
The Eu

Subject Bulgaria’s assumption of the EU presidency. Significance European Council President Donald Tusk and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker used the official inauguration of Bulgaria’s six-month stint in the EU presidency to demonstrate support for Bulgaria and its Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, and thus deflect widespread scepticism and criticism of Bulgaria’s EU trajectory since accession in 2007. Their hosts responded by underlining their unflinching support for EU institutions and initiatives (notably on migration quotas), and playing up Bulgaria’s stabilising role regarding the Western Balkans and Turkey. Impacts During its EU presidency, Bulgaria’s establishment will be most attentive to criticism coming from EU institutions and leading EU countries. The presidency will focus on showing Bulgaria in a positive light, while avoiding drawing attention to its reform deficit. Bulgaria's influence over problem areas and countries is limited and contingent on factors mostly beyond its control.

scholarly journals Trade regimes and bilateral trade in the EU enlargement process: Focus on the Western Balkans

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radmila Dragutinović-Mitrović ◽  
Predrag Bjelić
Keyword(s):  
Bilateral Trade ◽  
Eu Enlargement ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Trade Integration ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Regional Trade ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Trade Regimes ◽  
Bilateral Trade Flows ◽  
The Eu

This paper aims at investigating the role of different trade regimes in determining the bilateral trade of Western Balkan countries and the enlarged European Union between 2001—2010. Special focus is laid on the intra-regional trade of Western Balkan countries and complementarities of this sub-regional trade integration and the EU accession process. Using panel data, we estimated the gravity model of bilateral exports from Western Balkan and Central Eastern European countries to the core EU members in the 2001–2010 period. The results confirm the importance of EU membership for the development of acceding countries’ trade and shed light on asymmetrical trade regimes as important factors of boosting the bilateral trade flows. Additionally, CEFTA 2006 has a significant contribution to intra-regional Western Balkans trade.

scholarly journals Environmental aspects of agricultural policies of the European Union countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 136-144
Author(s):  
Anna Lytvynchuk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
State Support ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Eu

At present, the state of the economy of the agricultural sector in many countries of the world, including in the countries of the European Union (EU), inherent in developed industry, has led to the transition to a new environmentally oriented agricultural policy. An important role is assigned to state support of agricultural producers, through subsidies, preferential credit policy, and in some countries, the complete abolition of taxation of entrepreneurial activity in rural areas, which confirms the relevance and national economic significance of the article. In domestic agroeconomic science and practice, there is no scientific concept of state participation in the process of bringing the agricultural sector out of the crisis. Research objectives – consider the development policy of the agricultural sector of the EU countries; study the level of state support for agricultural producers. The purpose of the work is to consider the degree of development of the agricultural policy of the EU countries in the context of ensuring food security. The methods and methodology of the research were general scientific, particular methods of cognition, including the historical and logical, the method of observation and comparison. Shows the main approaches to state regulation of the development of the agro-industrial sector at the level of the European Union as a whole and in the context of member countries; characteristic features and principles that determine the success and integrity of a unified agricultural policy; factors contributing to the productivity of agricultural land; agro-ecological requirements restricting the import of genetically modified products; the main tasks in the development of a new policy of the agrarian sector of the economy; priority directions of regulation of measures to support agricultural producers, integrated development of rural areas, increasing the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that this study will allow the state bodies of Belarus to better understand how it is necessary to form an agricultural policy in the context of ensuring food security.

scholarly journals Brexit and Western Balkans

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-70
Keyword(s):  
Soft Power ◽  
Eu Enlargement ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Security Culture ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Eu Membership ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

This article analyses effects of Brexit on relations between the United Kingdom and the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). First, the symbolism of the UK departure from the EU for the Western Balkans is explained. In the following step, multiple types of relations (in trade, security, culture) between the post-Brexit UK and this region are analysed using the theoretical concepts of linkage, leverage and soft power. Finally, the consequences of Brexit on further EU enlargement are presented. The research has confirmed the initial hypotheses. First, as expected, the volume and density of UK-Western Balkan relations will be reduced after Brexit. Second, Western Balkans is of a very limited interest for the UK, primarily in security. Third, Brexit has not in a serious way changed the already existing low chances of EU accession for the Western Balkan countries. The reason for this has little to do with the UK’s presence in or absence from the EU and is rather a consequence of the majority view within the Union (that Britain had already shared before Brexit) concerning further enlargement and low level of preparation of Western Balkan countries for EU membership.

Strategic and Legal Framework of Torrential Flood Control in Some Western Balkan and EU Countries

2022 ◽  
pp. 42-73
Author(s):  
Nada Dragović ◽  
Tijana Vulević ◽  
Muhamed Bajrić ◽  
Johannes Huebl ◽  
Paolo Porto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Torrential Flood ◽  
Legal Frameworks

The EU countries are obliged to harmonize their legislation in the field of flood protection, and thus torrential floods, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which was adopted in 2000. Two EU countries, Austria and Italy, and three Western Balkan countries were selected for the strategic and legal framework of torrential flood control: Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the legal framework of torrential flood control in EU countries, policies and strategies related to this area were studied for comparative analysis with non-EU countries. The strategic framework for the protection of water resources, and in particular torrential flood protection, is lacking in all Western Balkan countries. The aim of this chapter is to determine the directions of future strategic directions and torrential flood control policies in the Western Balkans based on the experiences of EU countries, advantages and disadvantages of the existing strategic, and legal frameworks.

Effects of a Soft Law: An Overview of the Implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in the EU and the Western Balkans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dunja Duic
Keyword(s):  
Security Council ◽  
United Nations Security Council ◽  
Soft Law ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Judicial Control ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Un Security Council ◽  
Peace And Security ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
The Eu

As the variegation of soft law increases, so we witness a growing number of soft law instruments – resolutions, guidelines, recommendations and the like – being adopted and implemented. The idea behind soft law is to assist governance through flexible problem solving, considering that soft law instruments produce legal and practical effects that are beyond judicial control. These pages focus on the effects of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR 1325) that is considered a UN soft law instrument given that it was not adopted under the Security Council’s Chapter VII mandate and the Security Council has no enforcement power thereover. In a narrower sense, this paper examines the implementation of Resolution 1325 in the EU and select Western Balkan countries. Specifically, the paper offers a contrasting of the particular National Action Plans for its implementation in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EU’s Strategic Approach to the EU implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security. The comparison of objectives, fundamental terms and civil society involvement will serve as a platform for drawing conclusions on the relevance and the effects of Resolution 1325 in the said countries and the EU.

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