| 8 |
Towards
a Better Mutual Understanding. Remi Gamba, Paris.
Among the most spectacular aspects of the current Iraqi crisis is
the realization by the public of the key role played by France in
international affairs. This awareness is quite a new phenomenon
in the countries of the Nordic region, where for the majority of
people France remains a state relatively little known despite its
status of great power with a permanent seat on the UN’s Security
Council. |
| 14 |
What’s
New in EU? David Haworth, Brussels.
With its current fifteen members, decision-making in the Union is
already nearing paralysis. It has become a place of horse-trading
between narrow national interests, of mutual back scratching and
Machiavellian diplomacy. Unless substantial reforms are introduced
before the club has twenty-five members, the enlargement may turn
into a painful process for all involved. |
| 18 |
Tug of War in Russian Northern Capital. Vladimir Bondarev, St. Petersburg.
Whether because St. Petersburg is often called the second capital
of Russia, or because it is the home city of the Russian president,
the upcoming Petersburg elections are attracting an enormous amount
of attention. What is in store for the city’s citizens and
how will the elections affect the power structure? |
| 26 |
The
Right for Copyright. Eddy Hawkins, Helsinki.
The spread of digital technologies marked a watershed in the history
of copyright. In theory, copyright is a contract between society
and the creators of works of art. The law should help them where
it can. But, the law should not push its power beyond the protection
of copyright to the detriment of society as a whole. That is a message
increasingly heard everywhere. |
| 30 |
Take It as It Is. Andres Kingisepp, Tallinn.
Parliamentary elections in the Northern countries are routine affairs.
And although this March saw election battles in both Finland and
Estonia, they did not draw crowds of observers from abroad; the
interest was mainly domestic. But even if the changes in the power
circles of these countries do not directly affect the outside world,
they are important to those who live here. Or are they? |
| 36 |
On
Thick Ice. Konstantin Ranks, Helsinki.
NH’s weather report for the Baltic Sea region for the next
decade. Why has ice become a rarity on the Baltic Sea? And what
changes we are facing now? Under conditions when new ports are being
constantly opened on the Baltic shores, when competition is fierce
and public awareness becomes more of an issue, it is vital for oil
companies to be prepared for any changes in the weather. |
| 48 |
Emergency
Call. Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki.
If something happens during a trip MedFlight Finland can help. The
company has many years experience in assisting injured or sick travelers
abroad and arranging patient’s transportation home or to the
hospital. |
| 50 |
Biotechnology
Benefits Baby-Boomers. Alisdair McLean, Helsinki.
By 2030 one in four Finns will be over the age of 65. Within the
next decade more than half a million more Finns will join the growing
army of pensioners. How will biotechnology help them and their over-stretched
under-financed health services meet this difficult challenge? |
| 54 |
The
Perils of Latvian Transit. Modris Auzins, Riga.
It has become apparent that there will be no transit of Russian
oil through the Latvian port in Ventspils this quarter, and maybe
even till the end of the year. Both sides, the Mayor of Ventspils
together with the Latvian government and the Russian company Transneft,
are turning the situation around the oil pipe and terminal into
a theatre of the absurd. |
| 60 |
«Vikings»
Sail East. Sergei Pankratov, Stockholm.
The company Viking Line is one of the main passenger transporters
on the Baltic Sea. Annually the company’s vessels transport
up to 5.5 million passengers. For a country such as Finland, with
its population of 5 million, these figures show the enormous popularity
of such cruises. But with the expansion of the EU the company may
have to change its strategy. Interview with the Director of Viking
Line, Risto Peltola. |
| 66 |
Without
Remedy. Adrian Soto, Helsinki.
The instability of the international environment has made it impossible
to perceive any prospects for Finland’s economy. At the press-conference
where he announced his resignation, the Minister of Finance Niinistö
remarked, that any unfortunate surprise on the international market
might cause a downfall in the Finnish economy. |
| 70 |
Sprats
with Chemical Waste. Nadezhda Popova, Moscow.
Echoes of WWII are still heard on the Baltic Sea. Every year fishermen
bring up deadly catches of chemical weapons. Right after the war
so many chemical weapons were dumped into the sea with the consent
of the winning side, that a major leak would kill all living creatures
in the water. The consequences of such a catastrophe would even
be felt in Australia. |
| 76 |
Office Style. Svetlana Pankratova, Stockholm.
The fall of IT companies has influenced not only Swedish investors,
but also a whole generation of businessmen. It is no longer fashionable
to be a juppie. Long gone are the days of conceptual office design.
Solid conservatism has made a comeback after 50 years of exile. |
| 78 |
Wooden House on Russian Soil. Roman Romantchuk, St. Petersburg.
Now it is in fashion in St. Petersburg to build wooden houses in
the suburbs. Who and how can provide customers with reliable assistance? |
| 82 |
Best
Hotels of the World: Kempinsky Hotel Bristol Berlin. Anatoliy Kovalev.
Since the fall of the Berlin wall the city has become a magnet for
tourists and businessmen alike. Famous historical sights as well
as new additions, together with the Europe’s largest International
Congress Center, attract people from all over the world. Many of
them prefer to stay at the unforgettable Kempinsky Hotel Bristol
Berlin. |
| 86 |
How
It Was? Vladimir von Witte. Helsinki.
Soviet gold on its way from Moscow to the Bank of London in the
early 60-s. Note from personal archive of Mr. Witte who was responsible
for the first stage of this transportation. Finnair was selected
as the main carrier. |
| 90 |
Business Legislation:
– Copyright Law in Estonia. The Law regulating Copyright in
Estonia was accepted in December of 1992. For more legal and practical
information on copyright in Estonia you can turn to this page.
– Russian Currency Regulations Change Again. According to
a new law passed in February of this year, the procedures for traveling
over Russian borders with foreign currency have been simplified.
The law came into effect starting from the 15th of March. This article
offers comments from legal experts and the main points of this Law.
– EU Regulations. Custom tariffs in the European Union (TARIC). |
