| 10 |
In the EU Melting Pot. David Haworth, Brussels
The end of the year turned out to be unfavorable for the heads of the European Union:
differences of opinion on the much talked about Constitution are as evident as ever and
there are serious disagreements on the budget issues. On the bright side, the Union is
preparing to greet ten new members. What has happened in the EU this winter? |
| 16 |
The Withering of Liberalism. Andres Reimer, Tallinn
The government crises, which shook Estonia at the close of last year, marked the end of
liberal economic reforms in this country. The actions of the agrarian party People's
Union nearly caused the resignation of the coalition cabinet. For the first time the
supporters of tax cuts are left in the Parliament in the minority. |
| 20 |
The End of a «New Time». Modris Auzins, Riga
On the 5th of February the Latvian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Einar
Repse announced its resignation. The formal reason for this decision was the Parliament vote
for the increase in teachers' wages, for which, according to Repse, there is no money in the
State budget. |
| 24 |
Nobel Prizes from the Inside. Irina Makridova, Stockholm
Through the years NH has published a lot of articles on the issue of Nobel prizes, ranging
from good to bad, from plain historical facts to subjective sentiments. Now we would like
to present the view of an insider - the Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation Michael
Sulman. |
| 30 |
Two-Faced Bacchus. Svetlana Pankratova, Stockholm
Not long ago the European Commission announced its intention to bring an action against
Sweden for breaking one of the main EU laws - free movement of goods and services. The
Swedish State limits the amount of alcoholic beverages its citizens may bring in from
other EU countries. On the specifics of Scandinavian alcohol policies. |
| 36 |
Alcohol Production in the Baltic States. Mark Ostanin, Tallinn
The Northern European countries are more than concerned about the inflow of cheap vodka
that is expected after Estonia and the other Baltic States join the European Union on the
first of May. How developed is the alcohol industry in these new EU countries and what
threat do they pose? |
| 40 |
HopelessVia Baltica. Krzysztof Szczepanik, Gdansk
Bad Polish roads appear to be the main obstacle in the country's development. This issue
becomes even more important in view of the country's joining the EU. Poland is not the only
one who has a stake in solving its road problems. The Baltic States are connected to the rest
of the EU through Poland and their project Via Baltica involves this country. |
| 46 |
Container on Ice. Victor Rainer, Helsinki
It is not oil that is today the «tasty morsel» of the Baltic Sea transportation industry but
containers. After the last cold winter, when the sea approaches to St. Petersburg froze solid,
and on the threshold of the European Union enlargement, significant shifts have been noted in
the main container routs. What exactly is going on? |
| 58 |
At the Port of Klaipeda. Andrius Mankus, Vilnius
With the reduction of the total work volume in many of the Baltic ports, the Port of Klaipeda
stands out by experiencing an unprecedented growth. It seems that the redistribution of transport
flows turned out for the best of Lithuania. Upon becoming a full member of the EU, Lithuania
expects to receive an even bigger piece of the «transit pie». |
| 60 |
Food for the Tiger. Andrius Mankus, Vilnius
«Asian Tigers» - so were called the countries of South-East Asia whose economic ascent in the beginning
of the 90th amazed the whole world. Despite the following recession, many still hope to repeat this
amazing feat, the Baltic States, for example. According to some experts, the «leader» of the Baltic
«tiger family» is turning out to be Lithuania. |
| 61 |
Russian Factor. Andres Kingisepp
When analyzing the substantial, by local standards, increase in the business activity of the Baltic
States, it is tempting to name the influx of Russian money as one of the main factors of this
development. Not having its own natural resources, this regions most valuable asset is its geographical
position. |
| 64 |
A Direct Line (interview with Tuomas Nylund, Silja Oyj Abp Senior Vice President). Sergei Pankratov, Helsinki
As new passenger sea routs appear on the Baltic Sea, NH intends to acquaint its readers with the increasing
possibilities of the various and most convenient means of transportation. The latest addition to sea routs
from St. Petersburg is to be soon opened by Silja Line. |
| 68 |
Sweet Dreams. Natalia Erchova, Helsinki
Scientists claim that 50% of the adult population in developed countries suffer from sleep disorders. In
such a situation companies that make it their business to offer us optimal sleeping conditions deserve a
closer look. Merger of famous Finnish brands Familon and Finlayson concentrated a significant amount of
the "sleeping sand" market in one hands. |
| 72 |
Solutions for Communications. Modris Auzins, Riga
In January of 1994 the government of Latvia signed an agreement with Lattelecom. The purpose of this
agreement was to attract into Latvia a substantial amount of investments for the development of its
telecommunications infrastructure. Since then this project has become one of the main pawns in political
and economic dealings. |
| 76 |
A Fly in the Ointment. Gennadi Muravin, Helsinki
Last year, on the bases of large-scale international analysis, Finland was acknowledged to be the most
uncorrupted country in the world. So it was like a bolt from the blue, when in November a case of
corruption in the Office for Aliens Affairs was brought to light. |
| 78 |
Clear Water Business. Konstantin Ranks, Helsinki
According to statistical data, people all over the world believe in drinking only canned water. At
the same time rumor has it, that one of the heads of the British Water Companies Association called
the clear water business the biggest scam of the 20th century. The question stands: to drink, or not
to drink? |
| 86 |
Postal Concerns in the Age of High Technologies. Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki
The total volume of the Russian postal services market in the year 2002 came to 1 billion US dollars
for a population of 150 million, compared to Finland with a 1.3 billion dollar volume for just 5.1
million people. How exactly do modern postal services function in European countries, what are the
rates and scope of these services? |
| 92 |
What the Sober Man Feels? Jorma Reionen (with Petra Tiihonen), Helsinki
«Each wine should have its glass» - proposed the famous glass-maker Claus Joseph Riedel in the beginning
of the 70th. His son Georg advanced this idea for the whole world and now his company produces 5.1
million glasses annually. While a glass cannot alter a fine wine, it can and does dramatically alter
our perception of it. Trying is believing! |
| 96 |
Best Hotels of the World: Hotel Nassauer Hof. Anatoliy Kovalev
Wiesbaden is a world famous German resort town filled with a rich history, traditions and an unforgettable
atmosphere. For over 170 years Nassauer Hof has been one of the city's most prominent hotels. Among its guests
was Dostoyevsky, who wrote about his stay in this city in his book The Gambler. |
| 100 |
Porkkala: Battles without Rules. Natalia Smirnova, Helsinki
The history of this small strategic peninsula is unique: under the Soviet-Finnish armistice of 1944 Finland
leased this area to the USSR for 50 years for use as a naval base. It was returned it to Finland in 1956.
Now it has become an army base once again, but this time all soldiers here are tourists and they pay nicely
for a chance to serve. |
| 108 |
Business Legislation (by Andrei Hitrov, Hedman Osborne Clarke Alliance):
- Acquisition of Russian company shares by foreign investors |
