战略与国际研究中心-Select-Briefing-Vol-2,-No-48_2页_277kb

Central European Update Summary

Poland

• CIA Prisons Investigation: On 10 December, Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz announced an investigation into allegations that Poland hosted CIA prisons for interrogating suspected terrorists. Polish officials have denied these claims, but the investigation is intended to resolve the issue and avoid negative consequences for Warsaw.
• Military Assistance Request: Defense Minister Radoslaw Sikorski requested additional military assistance from the U.S. to upgrade the Polish military. This request coincides with considerations of extending Poland's mission in Iraq, despite the significant financial commitment of $600 million, which has delayed military modernization efforts.

Czech Republic

• Employment Offices Abroad: The Czech interior ministry plans to open employment offices in Ukraine to combat illegal immigration. These offices will recruit workers for Czech companies and ensure their transportation and accommodation.
• Troop Training in the Balkans: Czech troops destined for the Balkans in 2006 are training at the U.S. military base in Hohenfels, Bavaria. The base is designed to simulate conditions in the Balkans, aiding in mission preparedness.

Hungary

• Support for Montenegro's Independence Referendum: Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic visited Budapest, where Hungarian officials implicitly supported Montenegro's plan to hold a referendum on independence from Serbia. A stable and economically strong Balkan region is seen as beneficial for Hungary.
• Hungarian-Vietnamese Business Council: Following the first meeting of the Hungarian-Vietnamese Cooperation Committee, plans were announced to establish a business council in early 2006. Opportunities for technology transfer in food, machine, automotive, and healthcare industries were highlighted.

Slovakia

• MiG 29 Fighter Upgrades: Two MiG 29 fighters upgraded in Russia arrived in Slovakia. Additional ten fighters are planned for upgrades by 2006, funded by Russia's debt to Slovakia. Pilot training will require additional funds.
• 2006 Budget Approval: The Slovak parliament approved the 2006 budget, which includes a 2.9% GDP deficit. This deficit is one of the criteria for joining the eurozone in 2009. The budget passed with support from 79 out of 142 deputies.
• Peacekeeping Troop Increase: An amendment was passed to increase the number of Slovak soldiers in peacekeeping missions by 75. This includes deployment in Bosnia-Herzegovina, logistical support in Kosovo, and transferring troops from Afghanistan to ISAF.

Baltic States Update

Latvia

• Valga-Valka Joint Project: A secretariat was established on 12 December to coordinate joint projects between Latvia and Estonia in the border cities of Valga and Valka. The project is supported by the EU's Interreg III B program and aims to improve transborder cooperation.

Lithuania

• WTO Participation: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis attended the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong, focusing on opening markets for Lithuanian exporters and establishing trade regulations. Lithuania expects to benefit from WTO membership once the rest of the CIS countries join.
• Peacekeeping Mission Extension: The Lithuanian parliament extended peacekeeping missions in the Persian Gulf, South and Central Asia, and the Balkans until the end of 2007.

Estonia

• Gas Pipeline Agreement: A representative from Gazprom stated that the planned German-Russia gas pipeline will not pass through Estonian territorial waters. Estonia and Finland agreed on a "center line" in the Gulf of Finland, defining economic zones. Third countries have rights to operate in another's economic zone.

Southeast European Update

Bulgaria

• CIA Allegations Rejected: Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev rejected allegations of hosting secret CIA detention facilities. He also met with NATO's Military Committee Chairman to discuss Bulgaria's role in Alliance missions and emphasized maintaining military spending at 2.6% of the budget.
• EU Accession Concerns: Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht suggested delaying Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession until 2008, fearing that premature membership could discourage reform in the Balkans.

Croatia

• Support for General Gotovina: Around 70,000 people gathered in Split to support General Ante Gotovina, an arrested war crimes indictee. The rally was organized by Croatian Disabled Homeland Defense War Veterans, who expressed dissatisfaction with current government policies.
• Regional Cooperation with Serbia-Montenegro: President Svetozar Marovic discussed bilateral relations and regional issues with Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic, including prisoner transfers and economic improvements. Serbia and Montenegro aim to conclude negotiations on the EU's Stabilization and Association Agreement.

Romania

• Support for Bosnia's EU Accession: Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu offered assistance to Bosnia in its path to EU membership and visited EUFOR units in the country.
• Transport Infrastructure Investment: The Romanian Ministry of Transport announced a EUR 10 billion investment in transport infrastructure from 2007 to 2013, focusing on modernizing trans-European networks and ensuring sustainable development.

Slovenia

• Motorway Construction Project: On 14 December, DARS, the Slovenian state-owned motorway company, signed a USD 25 million deal for new road construction. The project includes two viaducts on the Peracica-Podtabor stretch, part of EU Transport Corridor 10. Completion is expected in 22 months.