New Horizons

6

The First Days of the Euro in Finland. Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki
Without doubt the most significant current event in our region is the appearance of new money. Twelve European countries, twelve apostles of the European Union organized a thematic celebration of the New Year, and the ministers of finance were first to demonstrate the new currency in effect. What next.

10

Conversion to EUROs French-Style. Sergei Sergeev, Paris
France really stepped into the EURO zone on the third of January, the first working day of the new year. Unfortunately not everyone in the country was ready for the new currency. Problems arised all threw the week. The only ones who "prepared" were the salespeople - cheating the customers left and right.

14

Let the Neighbor Envy. Svetlana Melnikova, Stockholm
It might seem a paradox, but the main proof of the EURO's confident march took place outside the EURO zone - in Scandinavia, where Denmark and Sweden changed their opinion about the European currency and the European Monetary Union.

16

Euro is Dear to Us - but Dearer Still is Dollar. Sergei Eduardov, Moscow
35% of the Russian trade falls on the countries from theEuropean Union. However nearly 95% of the payments are made in dollars. How will the situation change now with the introduction of the new EURO currency into the real market? What do Russians think about the new European eurotoy?

20

Marriage with an Interest? Oleg Serebrjakov, Tallinn
Starting from the 28th of January Estonia has a new coalition government. Is long-lasting and effective cooperation among the pragmatic politicians possible? Where will the unexpected for many "marriage" of two formerly equal political powers lead the country?

24

Sacrificial Lamb. Andres Kingisepp, Helsinki
If the Baltic States join the European Union food prices will grow and reach the average-European already the next day, but the wages will remain the same. Very many Estonians, following the mass-media for the last year and a half, are quite certain of such an outcome. Can this be true? Interview with Kalevi Hemilä, former minister of agriculture of Finland.

32

Life and Death of Transportation Corridors. Arthur Maienhoff, Helsinki
It can be accepted as an axiom that the presence or absence of regular transportation flows determine whether the town, state, geographical region will prosper or wither. In turn the movement of passengers depicts the developing economic and political situation, allows to draw conclusions about the politicians’ fore-sight and the aspirations of the people. What are the main passenger routes of the Baltic region?

38

Latvia - a Dead End or a Walk-Through? Snezhana Bartule, Riga
When looking at the Baltic States through the prism of the European Union, it seems that Latvia is the only country that is left without patronage. What does the country need to do to prosper on the European market? The correspondent from Riga generalizes the opinions of specialists.

40

Some Get Honey, Some - Honeycombs. Modris Auzins, Riga
Ten years ago the first operator of cellular (in Russian — honeycomb) communications began its work in Latvia. Today there are 2 competing providers, every 5th citizen of the country takes advantage of their services, the «cells» cover 92% of the country and 95% of the population has access to mobile communications. We look back to remember the victorious march of the new technologies.

44

Price Of The Prize. Peter Tcherniakov, Oslo
There are more than 300 peace prizes in the world. However the most prestigious among them, although not the «heaviest» money wise, is considered to be the Nobel Peace Prize. Geir Lunnestad, the director of the Nobel Institute in Oslo, was kind enough to explain to NH the «technology of awarding» the Peace Prize.

48

Off Season. Ljubov & Nikolai Meinert
The journalists of the World Association of Russian Press were invited to Israel. But this article is not just about the association and its events. Israel is a country that attracts attention and not only because of its cultural significance, but also because of the political events going on in and around it.

52

The Damned "Black Gold". Konstantin Ranks, Helsinki
The region of the Baltic Sea, in the territory of which about 80 million people live, is at that critical point, when the previously abstract problem of pollution takes on forms of direct menace towards each of us. Basing upon these grounds we are starting a series of materials, dedicated to the major ecological problems of the Baltic region…

58

What the Gulf of Finland can stand? Michail Silkov, St. Petersburg
NH has already written about the profits Russia is expecting to gain from the pipeline system and the development of ports in the Baltic region. These real and predictable gains present a serious problem for Russia’s competitors. All those who look at the situation from the “green” point of view become their unwilling allies. Are their worries unwarranted?

62

Teenage Terror of the Welfare Society. Gennadiy Muravin, Helsinki
A teenager with a gun — this is becoming the symbol of many prospering western states. Unfortunately Finland is not an exception. During her New Year television address, Finland’s president Tarja Halonen spoke at length about the increasing crime rate among the teenage Finns. One of such crimes is still being investigated.

66

The Name as a Symbol. Tatjana Selehova, St. Petersburg
It is difficult to find a person who has not heard of the famous Faberge jewelry. The article tells about the past of the House of Faberge and the present of its followers — the Faberge Art Fund. Preserving the traditions and cultural heritage of Faberge, the Fund considers its main task to be the organization of charity, cultural and educational programs.

72

Will the Hungarian Farmer Start Speaking English? Natalia Kazimirovskaja
The film festival in Karlovy Vary is one of the oldest. Since 1989 it was reanimated and started to breath easy, growth and progress are evident, as are evident the problems, underwater currents and unsolved questions. And it is also obvious that the future of the festival depends also on its relationship with the Russian cinematography and on the atmosphere of the city itself.

74

Preoccupied Resource. Alexei Turovski, Tallinn
In the capital of Estonia a group of extremely dedicated to their job specialists, despite all the economical and political disasters, has been for a long time quite successfully working to preserve the rare breeds of animals. NH has asked Alexey Turovsky — a scientist working at the Tallinn Zoo, to speak about his favorite subject — his work with the animals.

80

The Best Hotels of the World. Anatoliy Kovalev
The exotic island of Phuket is the latest most craved tourist destination. It is known for its animal reserves, they gradually turn into parks, and they in turn into golf courses and cultivated gardens of hotel zones. In one of the most colorful and comfortable places is situated the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket — an island of pleasure on the island of exotica.

84

Treasures from the Deep. Alexej Smirnov, Stockholm
Would you like to become rich? Then dive into the depths of the Baltic Sea — perhaps you will get lucky and find a fantastic brig with infinite treasures! A fragment from journalist Alexey Smirnov’s book (published by Swedish Institute in Stockholm) tells how the works of art ordered by Russian nobles have sunk into the sea abyss and were again reborn, centuries later.

90

Russian music on CD-Review. Anatoly Gunitsky (St. Petersburg), Ilja Kormiltsev (Moscow)