This paper uses the findings of the Bertelsmann Transformation Index, a global ranking of democracy, market economy and political management, to discuss different hypotheses. The performance profiles for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro are compared, analyzing the trajectories of these countries over time and in comparison with other Southeast European, East Central European and Latin American democracies. The paper shows that there is an evident public disappointment with the ...
This is an article written by dr. Milica Uvalic. The author states that the economies of South Eastern Europe (SEE) - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia and Romania - today face a number of problems which are different from other transition economies, both in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). She presents the indigenous weaknesses of SEE economies. She also writes ...
The present report by prof. Uvalic gives a general assessment of the situation in 2005 regarding Research and Development (R&D) in the five Western Balkan (WB) countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro. The report was produced in the framework of the project see-era.net and draws primarily on information collected by the Slovenian Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Technology through questionnaires and interviews with government representatives and researchers of ...
This is a paper written by the European Stability Initiative in 2005. It states that the European Commission has produced a draft regulation for an Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) which sets down the EU’s present assumptions and planning for the Western Balkans. It assumes that Serbia-Montenegro and Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina will achieve candidate status around 2010, and membership around 2020 – far behind the expectations of the region. It proposes that the potential candidates in the Western Balkans should be given the chance to progress towards EU membership on an equal footing with previous candidates. European Stability Initiative (2005 ...
This is a discussion paper written by Claudia Grupe and Sinisa Kusić from the Centre for the Study of Global Governance London School of Economics and Political Science. The paper analyses the role of regional integration and the by this means facilitated cooperation in the Western Balkans and its effects on economic performance and interactions with the medium- to long-term perspective of an EU-accession. It tries to assess whether regional integration can foster economic growth of the ...
... Association in partnership with Relais Culture Europe. The following survey identifies ways of matching support to existing needs by giving a fuller picture of what is available at present in terms of funding opportunities. The current survey deals with the following countries, which it describes as South East European (SEE): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo). The survey explores the public and private funding available at national and supranational level for the development and carrying out of cooperation projects within/with SEE in the cultural field (including the performing arts, music, visual arts ...
This is an EC paper that describes a progress in stabilisation and reconciliation, internal reform and regional cooperation that Western Balkans made over three years after Thessaloniki. As a result, they have moved closer to the EU. A significant progress was recorded in regional cooperation. Financial assistance of EU to Western Balkans is also described (Phare, ISPA and SAPARD programmes, CARDS programme etc). EC (2006): Communication from the Commission - The Western Balkans on the road to ...
The 2004-2005 Annual National Program of the FYR of Macedonia has been prepared on the basis of the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP). The Program defines the plans for forthcoming activities in implementing the necessary reforms in the FYR of Macedonia for the period 2004-2005. It reflects the continuous achievements of the country in pursuing its strategic priorities, as well as the plans and activities set forth in previous annual national programs. It contains technical Annexes, which ...
This is a strategy conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. First implementation of the past strategy is presented. Then the strategy deals with topics like political developments, regional integration, integrity issues, social conditions, labour issues, legal reform, environmental issues etc. Strategy also states Bank strategic priorities. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (2004): Strategy for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Available from: ...
This is a report prepared by Vladimir Gligorov and Hermine Vidovic from the The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies. First it describes Croatian macroeconomic development (growth, labour force, credits, foreign trade etc). It also deals with the fiscal sector and foreign debt. Last but not the least it focuses on policy challenges and policy alternatives. Gligorov, Vladimir, Vidovic, Hermine (2005): Croatia: Growth Slowdown and Policy Alternatives. Available from: ...
This document is the first annual report on the implementation of the PovertyReduction Strategy paper for Serbia (PRSp), one of the two main pillars in theRepublic’s medium-term development framework, submitted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia to the citizens of Serbia and its international development partners, covering the period 2004 until the middle of 2005. The PRS is a multi-sector strategy that serves as a basis for developing and integrating new and existing programmatic ...
This is a paper written by dr. Slavica Singer and Boris Lauc. It states that in the last 15 years, the SME sector in Croatia has played an increasingly important role in generating new businesses and employment. The major characteristics of the SME sector in Croatia are low entrepreneurial activity , low share of growth-oriented businesses, huge administrative barriers, undeveloped financial market, lack of education focused on developing entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. Recommendations to ...
This is a strategy paper conducted by the International Monetary Fund in 2004. It describes the country's macroeconomic, structural, and social policies in support of growth and poverty reduction, as well as associated external financing needs and major sources of financing. It is stated that a successful implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy will mean a reduction of poverty in the Union of Serbia and Montenegro to around 7 percent by 2010 with an average annual growth of around ...
This is a EC 2005 Progress Report for Croatia. The report describes the relations between Croatia and the Union; analyses the situation in respect of the political criteria for membership; assesses Croatia’s situation and prospects in respect of the economic criteria for membership; reviews Croatia’s capacity to assume the obligations of membership, that is, the acquisas expressed in the Treaties, the secondary legislation, and the policies of the Union; briefly examines the extent to which ...
... work have helped to increase the quality and content of research work undertaken by CRD. In the last part of the paper is given a short description of research agenda for the next three years. Gajo, Alber (2003): Current and Future Research Programme of Centre for Research and Development, Tirana, Albania. Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/indicators/business_consumer_surveys/workshops/2003/al_crd_document1.pdf, accessed 23.10.2006. Centre for Research and Development in Tirana http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/indicators/business_consumer_surveys/workshops/2003/al_crd_document1.pdf
... Albanian laws in following areas: industrial property (patents, trademarks, industrial designs), copyright and related rights, unfair competition, protection of undisclosed Information etc. It also describes Albanian administrations in the abovementioned areas, Albanian membership in the international bodies and last but not the least it presents the industrial property statistics for Albania. World Intellectual Property Organization (2006): Albania - IP Legislative Profile. Available from: http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/ipworldwide/pdf/al.pdf, accessed 3.11.2006. World Intellectual Property Organization http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/ipworldwide/pdf/al.pdf
... innovation: government ministries, S&T institutes, each of which (except the Academy of Science) is associated with a ministry and the university sector. It also tries to estimate Albanian S&T spending and deals with measurement of S&T for non-economic objectives and future work on S&T Indicators in Albania. It comes to conclusion that Albania will need an S&T policy infrastructure as part of its overall development strategy which will require accurate and timely data for policy development. UNESCO/UNDP (1996): Measuring The Development of Science and Technology In A Changing Economy: The Case of Albania. Available from: www.sfu.ca/cprost/docs/9608 ...
... no further enlargement with a large group of countries at the same time in view, so future enlargements will goat the pace dictated by each country’ s performance in meeting the rigorous standards, toensure the smooth absorption of new members. It then describes the progress made by Turkey, Croatia and Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo. It ends with some conclusions and recommendations for each country. EC (2005): European Commission - 2005 enlargement strategy paper. Available from: http://www.abhaber.com/belgeler/Stratejibelgesi.pdf#search=%222005%20enlargement%20paper%22, accessed 6.9.2006 ...
This is a report made by dr. Dijana Plaseska from the Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. First some general data on Macedonia are presented. Then the main institutions responsible for the science and technology are named. Problems in R&D in Macedonia are presented as well. Then Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is described - its equippment, activities, its participation in research etc. In the end ...
This is a yearly review of Patent Cooperation Treaty conducted by World Intellectual Property Organization. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system offers inventors and industry a simplified and cost-effective route for obtaining patent protection internationally. This report presents the results ofoperations under the PCT in 2004, the year in which the PCT celebrated the receipt of its one millionth application. In the beginning all contract states are named. Then it presents statistics on ...