| 8 |
Lithuania’s
New President: Rumors are More Interesting than Reality. Andrius
Mankus, Vilnius.
Many fear that the newly chosen Lithuanian president, Rolandas Paksas,
will hinder the country’s acceptance into the European Union.
The 46-year-old Paksas turned out to be not as controversial as
the media made him seem. |
| 14 |
Comments
are Appropriate. David Haworth, Brussels.
It took Europe 40 years to form a union of 15 countries, now in
just two years this Union will grow to 25. Some 75 million new citizens
will join the European Union and more are waiting at the door. This
truly historic event is being closely monitored, analyzed and criticized.
Will the story of this unique union have a happy ending? |
| 18 |
Time Between Unions. Pavel Makarov, Tallinn.
In December, Estonia was offered a chance to join the European Union
and it looks like the country will take advantage of this offer.
It is symbolic that the leader of the country, which is to enter
the European Union, is the same who led this country out of the
Soviet Union. An interview with Arnold Ruutel – President
of Estonia. |
| 24 |
Tax
Shield: Russian Government on Guard of Foreign Interests. Arthur
West, Helsinki.
Business in Russia has its own individual specifics; it is often
spontaneous and impulsive, with the majority of businessmen jumping
from one “issue” to another. The government seems to
keep close tabs on what is the business trend of the moment and
is fast to intervene with taxes and quotas, as if afraid that the
economy will get a so much needed boost. Its VAT policy is a clear
example of how the Russian government hinders the development of
the country’s exports. |
| 30 |
The Russians are Coming. Andres Kingisepp, Strasbourg.
How important is “the mental factor” in the relations
between Western Europe and Russia. Could it be that its significance
is so strong that it hinders the development of understanding between
Russians and other nations, simply because it is never taken into
account? |
| 33 |
Strasbourg
Custard Pie with Russian Honey. Andres Kingisepp, Strasbourg.
New PACE resolution on Chechnya. Who won, who lost, who was mixed? |
| 36 |
Support
Your Country – Give a Bribe. Konstantin Ranks, Helsinki.
What is corruption – a sign of anarchy and the degradation
of society or a method for ruling a government of a specific type?
Different countries and nations have different views on the ethical,
moral, economic and spiritual role of money and bribes. It all comes
down to your point of view. |
| 42 |
Two
Players on the Oil and Gas Field. Sergei Pankratov, Oslo.
Russia and Norway are two of the largest independent oil and gas
exporters in Europe. Their actions have often been decisive in determining
the prices for these strategic recourses. The relations between
these two countries are closely connected with their policies in
regards to the oil and gas industries. However, price issues are
only the tip of the iceberg. |
| 48 |
No
One Close. Nikolai Meinert, Helsinki.
Due to Finland’s relatively small size it is not at all surprising
to find companies here that almost single-handedly shape the economy
of the whole country. Last January, Nokia published its annual report,
which once again caused everyone to turn their attention to the
history and present day operation of this Finnish giant. An interview
with Stefan Widomski – Nokia Senior Vice President. |
| 60 |
How
to do Business! Latvian Example. Modris Auzins, Riga.
Latvian politician and businessman Armands Stendzenieks ended a
prison term last January. Although in the post-Soviet arena a businessman
doing time in prison is quite a common thing, this particular case
is something out of the ordinary. It well could be that Armands
Stendzenieks has become Latvia’s first political prisoner. |
| 64 |
Your
Funeral is Postponed Till Worse Times. Vladimir Ivanov, Vilnius.
The Lithuanian Nuclear Power Plant in Ignalinsk is responsible for
almost half of the electricity produced in the Baltic States. Although
specialists in the EU understand the necessity of the nuclear power
industry in the present economical situation, they nevertheless
are demanding that Lithuania shuts down its plant, or risks being
left out of the united Europe. |
| 70 |
Tourism in Russia is Much More than Tourism! Svetlana Pankratova,
Helsinki.
The Vyborg officials cannot stop the crime wave targeting foreign
tourists – such is the opinion of the managers of Finnish
travel agencies, who have stopped sending tourist groups to this
city. As a result more and more Finns are travelling to Estonia,
where a safer environment guarantees a good time and the prices
are not much higher than in neighbouring Russia. |
| 76 |
Best Hotels of the World: Arabella Sheraton Hotel Seehof. Anatoliy
Kovalev.
Davos has long been a symbol of the business elite for it is here
that the most influential businessmen and politicians meet every
year to shape the future of the world. These people are hard to
please, but the Arabella Sheraton Hotel Seehof has no problem in
accommodating the most fastidious of its clients. |
| 80 |
Norwegian
Office. Sergei Sergeev, Oslo.
What should a modern office be like? What does design have to do
with the psychological climate of the working environment? Today
designers, psychologists and architects argue over the essence of
the “ecology of the working place”. Nothing is left
to chance. Find out if the walls in your boss’s office are
the source of his grumpy demeanour. |
| 82 |
Cigar
Smokers Society in Russia. Anatoliy Kovalev, St. Petersburg.
The first Cigar Smokers Society was established in Russia last October
through the initiative of Grand Hotel Europe’s general manager
Elmar Graif and his colleagues. Three new brands of cigars were
designed especially for this exclusive hotel. |
| 84 |
Keep
The Power. Martti Karjalainen, Helsinki.
Finns made submarines for Germany before WWII. |
| 90 |
Business Legislation:
- What to do in a conflict? Experts give legal advice on international
law and foreign trade. In this issue: what to do in cases of disagreement
between Russian and foreign companies.
- How to buy real-estate in Estonia. As of today, Estonia has almost
finalized all changes in the laws regarding acquisition of real-estate.
Relatively low prices are attracting more and more buyers from abroad.
For those interested, here you will find all you need to know when
making your purchase. |
