战略与国际研究中心-Select-Briefing-Vol-4,-No-31_2页_209kb

Central and Southeast European Update (September 21, 2007)

Core Content Summary

This summary highlights key developments in Central and Southeast European countries, focusing on political, economic, and social issues relevant to the New European Democracies Project.

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Central Europe

Czech Republic

• Serbian President Visit: On September 17, Serbian President Boris Tadic visited Prague and met with Czech officials, including President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Miroslav Topolanek. Klaus emphasized the need for patient negotiations over unilateral solutions regarding Kosovo's status and supported Serbia's EU bid.
• Roma Community Plan: On September 18, the Czech government launched a plan to address social issues in the Roma community, including improving living conditions in Romany-populated areas and preventing the formation of new ghettos.
• Nuclear Safety Issues: A joint Czech-Austrian parliamentary commission resolved five of the eight disputed safety issues related to the Temelin nuclear power plant. The next meeting is scheduled for December 17 in Ceske Budejovice.

Hungary

• V4 Summit: The presidents of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries met in Keszthely on September 20 to discuss their experiences since joining the EU, with a focus on Schengen zone accession and labor market openness.
• Energy Security Agency Bid: Economy Minister Janos Koka announced Hungary's intention to host the new EU energy security agency, following the EU's plan to establish it. Hungary has already hosted a conference on the Nabucco pipeline, showing its commitment to energy security.
• Visa-Free Travel Agreement: On September 18, Hungarian Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz and Ukrainian counterpart Arseniy Yatsenyuk signed an agreement for visa-free travel for residents in border regions.

Slovakia

• Schengen Accession: Slovakia and other EU newcomers are set to join the Schengen system on December 31, 2007, with border checks abolished. However, Austria suggested continued joint patrols on Slovak-Austrian and Czech-Austrian borders.
• Political Role: Former Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda joined the Centrist Democrat International (CDI) as vice president, aiming to promote democratic reforms in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
• Real Estate Trends: Many Slovaks are purchasing property in the Hungarian border region of Transdanubia due to its proximity to Bratislava and lower prices. A housing boom is expected after Schengen accession.

Slovenia

• Emergency Measures: Following torrential rains, the government allocated USD 700,000 for disaster relief, resulting in six fatalities and EUR 20 million in damages.
• Energy Acquisition: Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE) completed the acquisition of a EUR 85.1 million heating plant in Russe, Bulgaria, after securing approval for the sale of 49% of its stake.

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Baltic States

Latvia

• Minister Resignation: Jurijs Strods, Economics Minister of the For Fatherland and Freedom alliance, resigned on September 16 due to family reasons, though there were conflicting reports about the real reasons.
• Telecom Tender: Blackstone Group won a tender to acquire a controlling stake in Lattelecom SIA, with additional funding from workers, executives, and a bank consortium.

Lithuania

• Legal Case: The Russian government appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to become a third party in the 'Borisov vs. Lithuania' case, where a businessman accused Lithuania of human rights violations.
• UN Praise: UN special spokesman Doudou Diene praised Lithuania's legal framework for ethnic policy but warned about the challenges of handling a new wave of non-EU migrants, primarily Muslims.

Estonia

• Nord Stream Pipeline: The Estonian government denied permission for the Nord Stream gas pipeline consortium to survey its exclusive economic zone, potentially blocking the pipeline route through the northern Baltic Sea.
• PACE Visit: The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rene van der Linden, visited Tallinn and discussed issues such as the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights and the integration of naturalized residents.

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Southeast Europe

Bulgaria

• Honorary Recognition: Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov honored EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner with the country's highest state order for her role in securing the release of Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor from Libya.
• Economic Growth: Bulgaria's GDP grew by 6.4% in the first half of 2007. Unemployment dropped to 7% in August, close to the EU average of 6.8%.
• EU Loan: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a EUR 35 million loan to Piraeus Bank Bulgaria to support SMEs, infrastructure, and renewable energy projects.

Croatia

• OSCE Mission: The European Parliament's human rights monitoring mission president, Richard Howitt, urged the OSCE to remain in Croatia to monitor war crimes cases. Despite the government's desire to close the mission, the OSCE chairman-in-office supported its termination.
• Border Commission: Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and parliamentary leaders agreed to form two commissions to address the border dispute with Slovenia, one for identifying disputed points and another for preparing a legal framework for the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• India Relations: Croatian Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic welcomed India's Anand Sharma and discussed cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry and development projects, including a shipping service between Rijeka and Mumbai.

Romania

• Demographic Concerns: President Traian Basescu raised concerns about Romania's aging population and declining birth rate, urging policy changes to support women with young children.
• EU Declaration Against Death Penalty: Romanian Minister of Justice Tudor Chiarius supported the common EU declaration against the death penalty and the Framework-Decision on the European arrest warrant.

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Key Points

• Political Cooperation: Enhanced cooperation among EU members and potential new member states on issues like energy security, Schengen accession, and human rights.
• Social Challenges: Ongoing efforts to address social issues, particularly with the Roma community and migration policies.
• Economic Development: Strong economic growth in some countries, supported by EU financial assistance and investment.
• Historical Reflections: Poland commemorated the Soviet invasion of 1939 and its impact on the country's history.
• Legal and Institutional Developments: Legal reforms and international cooperation in areas such as human rights, migration, and energy policy.