| 10 |
A Different Sweden. Irina Makridova, Stockholm
Once again a brutal and senceless assasination shakes Sweden to the core.
After the brutal murder of Anna Lindt, a prominent politician and Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, there have been many discussions about the
openness of the Swedish society, the accessability of its politicians, the
effectiveness of its police forces and the system of social services in general. |
| 16 |
Not Just the Euro. Svetlana Pankratova, Leonid Pankratov, Stockholm
By voting against the Euro on September the 13th the Swedes might have started
a break in the unity of the European Union, and not just on the monetary and
currency issues. What forces in Sweden are interested in drifting away from the
EU? What caused the majority of Swedes to vote against a tighter union with the
other Europen countries? Would the introduction of the Euro have ment the end
of "Swedish socialism"? |
| 20 |
Life in the Union. David Haworth, Brussels
The European Union has lived through another phase of its development. This
summer and the beginning of autumn a series of referendums took place that have
influenced the future of the Union. On the one hand all the potential new
members voted for joining the Union, on the other - some old members confirmed
their reluctanse to give Brussels more power by voting against the Euro. |
| 26 |
Valentine's Day in October. Vladimir Bondarev, St.Petersburg
St. Petersburg has voted for a woman Governor. During the recently held elections
in Russia's Northern capitol Valentina Matvienko, to no ones surprise, received
the majority of votes. Her way to this post was not easy: one lost elecion and 2
tours of voting - our correspondent tells how it happened and what to expect from
the new Governor. |
| 32 |
What Is and Isn't. Nikolai Meinert, Helsinki
Finland has a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet of Ministers, should we now
expect a radical change in the country's international policies? Is Finland still
interested in trading with and investing into Russia and how does it sees the
future of the EU? Interview with Finland's Minister of Foreign Trade Paula
Lehtomäki clears up most of the burning issues. |
| 36 |
Green Gold. Marina Koluyartseva, St.Petersburg
Specialists say that after the oil and gas industry, wood can become the main source
of economic growth in Russia, bringing with it wealth and stability. Already by next
year the export of wood can be comparable to that of oil and gas. What is holding
the industry back and how soon can it get back on track? |
| 42 |
Log Houses from Finland. Veronika Inozemtseva, Helsinki
Today wood is considered one of the most important building materials in the world.
Houses made out of natural materials are becoming more and more popular. Finnish wood
house making companies are standing firm on the domestic market and are looking into
expanding abroad. |
| 44 |
Leap of the Paper Tiger. Modris Auzins, Riga
For more than 3 years a serious discussion is going on in Latvia on the possibility of
the construction of a paper producing plant on its territory. Although the plant will
bring over a billion dollars in investments into the Latvian economy, its constrution is
greeted most unfavorably by both public opinion and government structures. Swedes have
already abandoned this idea, will the famous Finnish "sisu" character help them into
seing this project through? |
| 48 |
Cheap Booze. Eddy Hawkins
For years alcohol consumption in Finland has been regulated by high prices and government
restrictions on the sale and import of alcoholic beverages. The country's membership in the
European Union will, however, soon put an end to these strict regulations. Specialists inside
the country and abroad warn: as soon as the prices drop the Finns might loose control. |
| 54 |
When Money Ends. Adrian Soto
The story of the Finnish company Benefon is directly linked to the technical revolution in the
area of mobile phone production. The steep ups in the company's development were followed by
even steeper downs and it is not clear yet wether the company can regain its former positions. |
| 56 |
Flirting with Kaliningrad. Andres Kingisepp, Warsaw
A lot has already been written about the unique position of Kaliningrad. Lately this Russian
exclave has been attracting the attention of its neighbours who look upon it with selfish interests
in mind. What are these interests and what can they bring to the people of Kaliningrad and the
district in general? What makes Kaliningrad so attractive? |
| 62 |
Business Style or Business of Style. Jorma Reionen, Helsinki
Business has long ago stopped being a man's game: women have rightfully claimed their place in the
business world and proved themselves equally qualified players. Fashion has made necessary adjustments
to accomodate the needs of working women, several fashion companies have made it their business to
dress their clients for success in the business world, among them the Finnish based "Andiata". |
| 68 |
Contemplating the Surroundings. Andrei Sungurov, Petroskoi
All through ones life a person collects souvenirs - precious memorable objects, that remind him where
he has been, what he felt, who he saw... Souvenirs that are truly a work of art can be not only keepers
of a persons memory, but have a sole and significance of their own. Such are the works of Karelian
masters. |
| 70 |
Name Your Price. Natalia Erchova, Helsinki
Twice a year international auctions are held in Helsinki. They offer a wide selection of Finnish and
foreign paintings, sculpture, antique furniture, silverware, glassware, porcelain and jewellery, as
well as design items. The next auction organised by Bukowski-Hörhammer will take place in the end
of November. |
| 72 |
To the Limit. Viktor Kirzhakov, Saariselkä
For those who think they have seen and tried it all, for those, who are bored with tropical exotic
locations, for those who want to take their sences to the limit and test their skills to their fullest,
as well as for those who are just looking for peace and quite - Lapland is the place to go. Test your
driving skills in extreme situations and pick up new ones with tours organised by Test World... or just
kick back and relax in the sauna. |
| 76 |
Best Hotels of the World: Hilton Helsinki Strand. Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki
There are not many 5 star hotels in Finland, but those rare few that exist here are up to the highest
standards. This year this list was extended to include the first in Helsinki hotel of the Hilton chain
- the Hilton Helsinki Strand. The new hotel offers its clients such high quality accomodationits and
service that they have already come to expect from Hilton worldwide. |
| 80 |
Search for the Mermaid. Natalia Smirnova, Stockholm
More than a century ago the Russian ship Mermaid was lost at sea, claiming the lives of all 177 crew
members. One of Tallin's most interesting sights is a monument to those lost in this tragic accident.
It is written there, that if there are still those who care, then the ship will be found in a hundred
and one years. So it was a true sensation when after a long search the efforts of an Estonian team paid
off - the resting place of the Mermaid was at long last uncovered. |
| 86 |
From the Depths of Time and Sea. Oleg Serebrjakov, Tallinn
The tragedy of the SS Mermaid which was claimed by the sea more than a century ago was so deep, that a
truly magnificent monument was built on the sea shore in Tallinn. Built during the Imperial time it
survived through the ages unchanged and is still one of the most significent sights of Estonia's capitol.
But it seems as though the faith of the monument is dramatically linked to the faith of the Mermaid. |
| 88 |
Baghdad Diaries. Vladimir von Witte, Helsinki
In 1980 Finnair opened its office in Baghdad, but it did not stay there for long. Its bussiness activity
was brought to an end by the begining of the Iraq - Iran onflict. Vladimir von Witte, who was the head of
Finnair in Baghdad at that time, writes about the reaction of foreign citizens to the events of those days.
Conclusion. (See fragments from Vladimir von Witte' s new book in previous issues of NH) |
| 92 |
Business Legislation:
- Property Rights for Forrest Areas and the Development of Natural Resources in Estonia. Materials prepaired by the company Larssen.
- Special Economic Zone in Kaliningrad. |
