| 8 |
On the Finnish Roller-coaster.
Arthur Maienhoff, Helsinki.
For too long the political life in Finland has been exceptionally placid and easygoing.
When the recent parliament elections ended in the appointment of a woman Prime Minister
it seemed that nothing could shatter the stability of this serene country.
But the PM stayed on her post for only 3 months before being disgracefully discharged,
in the process undermining the belief of the Finnish people in their politicians. |
| 14 |
A Guide to the Council of Europe.
Andres Kingisepp, Ljubov Meinert, Strasbourg.
It seems that today it is more appropriate to consider not the question of what is
happening in the Council of Europe, but what is happening with the Council itself.
What are the purposes of this organization and can it fulfill them? Or are the times of the "paper tiger",
as it is more and more often called, coming to an end?
|
| 20 |
Sweden's Euro Doubts. Sergei Sergeev, Stockholm.
On the 14th of September the people of Sweden will once again vote
on the matter of the acceptance of the Euro instead of the national
currency. How will this vote go? What are the chances of a favorable
outcome for the «common» European currency? Will the
Swedes once again abstain from entering the «Euro zone»?
NH weighs the pros and cons. |
| 24 |
Your
Loss is Our Gain. Veronika Pennanen, Helsinki-Tallinn.
The Baltic States have long been interested in developing and modernizing
their own printing industries. This process has recently come under
the attention of Finnish publishers: while their own printing houses
are not working to capacity, the new competitors from over the sea
have little to hope for. Or do they? |
| 28 |
…And Russia Can Trade. Sergei Eduardov, Moscow.
Any industrial country, or one that hopes to call itself industrially
developed, strives to shift its trade balance from exporting raw
materials in favor of ready made and highly processed goods. Russia
is no exception. But in a highly unstable world, the dominance of
raw materials in Russia’s trade with other countries is a
unique constant. Can this change? |
| 34 |
New
Premiere: Silja Opera in St. Petersburg. Sergei Pankratov, Helsinki.
Silja Line is one of the major passenger carriers in the Baltic
region. Annually it provides its services to over 5 million people,
offering cruises to various destinations on the Baltic Sea for people
of all social groups, Finns and Russians alike. This fall, due to
obvious demand, it is opening a new destination — the Russian
port of St. Petersburg. |
| 38 |
Before
and After the Party. Vladimir Bondarev, St. Petersburg.
This year St. Petersburg has celebrated its 300th anniversary. The
occasion was long anticipated: first preparations for the celebrations
started 10 years before the main event. Much money and effort went
into making this occasion memorable for the townspeople and guests
of the city. Was the effort successful? What were the expectations
and were they met? Where will the city go from here? |
| 46 |
Of
Cabbages and Kings. Modris Auzins, Riga.
What goes into the meaning of Baltic brotherhood and how similar
are the interests of these three former Soviet republics? Our correspondents
from Riga and Vilnius share their thoughts on this subject, which
has become more important in view of their acceptance into the EU.
The first story is about unshared seawaters. |
| 50 |
The
Fraternal Quarrel. Vladimir Ivanov, Vilnius.
Another story about economic battles between neighbours’ countries
When in 1989 two million people from Latvia Lithuania and Estonia
made a living chain on the Baltic roads, it seemed that nothing
could daunt the friendship of these 3 countries. But it turned out
that this friendship was based solely on hatred, greedy economic
interests left no room for sentimental nonsense: today the relationships
between these countries are often worse than between them and their
once common enemy — Russia. The chronic of meat and milk wars
among Baltic «partners». |
| 54 |
For
Better Look. Natalia Erchova, Helsinki.
People strive to stay young for as long as possible. Today it is
only natural that even after the age of 40 men and women have sporty
figures, healthy bodies and stunning looks. No wonder that a whole
industry has sprung up to help humans in their eternal struggle
against time. Highly qualified professionals will not only make
you look your best, but feel good about yourself too. Interview
with Dr. Matti Pakkanen from the leading Finnish plastic surgery
company Siluetti. |
| 60 |
In
and Out of Poland. Nikolai Meinert, Helsinki-Warsaw.
With the enlargement of the European Union there are bound to be
serious changes in all spheres of the member countries’ economies.
Poland is due to play a crucial role as the main point of transit
into Eastern European countries, road transportation is giving way
to new sea routs. Interview with Andrzej Gdula from Poland’s
Ministry of Infrastructure. |
| 66 |
What
is there to Drink?
– This summer turned out to be extremely hot in Scandinavia.
Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo practically turned into Mediterranean
resorts. Is it good or not? Maybe not… Oleg Geller, Stockholm.
– There is a serious down side to all the summer merriment
caused by beautifully hot and cloudless weather — uncharacteristic
for these parts draughts, and everything that follows including
the possibility of water shortages. Konstantin Ranks, Helsinki. |
| 74 |
Small and Smart. Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki-Reykjavik.
The world championship for horses from Iceland is held once every
two years. But once these mild mannered beauties leave their island
home they can never return: fighting for the purity of the breed
the Islanders have forbidden any horses to be brought into the country.
The results of preserving these animals are more than worth the
effort. |
| 80 |
Best Hotels of the World: Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Anatoliy
Kovalev.
In this issue our expert will take the readers of NH to Hamburg
Germany, where the best choice is clearly Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
– first among the hotels of Hamburg. It’s unique style
has been carefully preserved and cultivated for over a century,
when its doors first opened to serve the guests of this Hansa city. |
| 84 |
Baghdad Diaries. Vladimir von Witte, Helsinki.
Another fragment from the memoirs of Vladimir von Witte, a Finnish
citizen, descendent of the famous Russian Prime Minister of the
start of the XX century. His work took Vladimir to many interesting
and exotic places. In the 80th he was in Iraq. His recollections
of that time, people and events might shed some light on the current
situation in the Middle East. |
| 92 |
Business Legislation:
– Visa Regulations in Russia
Changes have recently been made into the laws regulating the entrance
into and residence in Russia for foreigners. Information for our
readers prepared by Andrei Hitrov (Hedman Osborne Clarke Alliance)
Stockholm.
– Residence and Work Permit in Estonia
The procedure of applying for a residence and work permit in Estonia
for foreign investors, businessmen and specialists who already work
or would like to work in Estonia or with Estonian partners. Materials
for this article prepared by company Larssen.
|
