| 8 |
No Freedom There by David Haworth, Brussels
Any would-be immigrant from one of the ten new E U states will face a jigsaw of legal
and regulatory confusion when the Union is enlarged in May. The EU estimates that
some 220,000 migrants will travel east to west annually in search of work, but there
is still no overall EU immigration policy. Workers from the new member states will
not be welcome in the “old” for at least two more years. |
| 14 |
Finnish Iraqgate by Gennadi Muravin, Helsinki
A detective story from Finland's political life, with secret meetings and document
transfers, mysterious restaurant rendezvous, cunning intrigue, meticulous journalists,
imperturbable judges, court proceedings…The Nordic version of Iraqgate that brought
down the country's first-ever woman prime minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki after only 63
days in power comes to an end. |
| 18 |
A Lesson in Democracy? by Andrius Mankus, Vilnius
The impeachment to the President of Lithuania Rolandas Paksas went into history as not
only the first of its kind in this country, but as the first in all of Europe. It
proved the efficiency of democratic structures in a country that re-established its
independence no more than 14 years ago. The banishment of the President did not cause
any disruption in the work of the government mechanism. |
| 20 |
Political Portrait by Modris Auzins, Riga
Commentaries on the change of the Latvian government. Fifteen months of the rule of
Latvia's New Time party have come to an end. In order to understand how the party
governed the country during this time and what to expect from it in the future it is
important to look at the man who leads this party - the now former Prime Minister
Einar Repse. |
| 24 |
NATO Expands to the East by Ilya Nikifirov, Tallinn
On the second of April the Baltic States have officially become members of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization. This article looks into the condition, strategy and
military strength of NATO in the Baltic region, Russia's role and attitude towards the
alliance, as well as at some new functions that the organization might be taking upon
itself in the nearest future. |
| 30 |
Unity of Actions, Time and Place by Nikolai Meinert, Helsinki
Changes in Russia's government coincided with political, economical and military
changes on the European arena. Does this mean a change in Russia's policies towards the
EU? Has the Russian government become more pro European or will it follow the same
strategy of depending on the country's own potential? Interview with Valeri Shljamin,
supporter of tighter economic ties with the EU. |
| 34 |
Friend or Foe? by Sergei Eduardov, Moscow
The benefits of economic closeness between the “United States of Europe” and
Russia are not appreciated in the same way by the sides involved. From some Moscow's
experts point of view Brussels's politics are seen as rather egoistical, leaving no
consideration for Russia's peculiarities. This in turn influences Russia's attitude
towards the European Union. So what are they in reality: friends or enemies? |
| 40 |
Will the Oil Rivers Turn? by Modris Auzins, Riga
In January 2003 the decision to stop transporting oil through the Latvian port of Ventspils
was made by the Russian company Transneft for political and economical reasons. After a
year and a half it seems that the economical reasons were not as sound as they seemed at
the time of this decision. It looks like both sides are going to suffer in the course of
the Russian-Latvian transit war. |
| 42 |
The Chemistry of Russian-Estonian Trade by Andres Reimer, Tallinn
With EU's enlargement Estonia should see the fall of discriminatory measures adopted by Russia
towards Estonian products, i.e. double tax tariffs for Estonian goods. This policy, introduced
by Russia in hopes of influencing through economic measures Estonia's policies towards its
Russian population, never did work the way it was supposed to. What was the catch and what
will change now. |
| 46 |
Ups and Downs of Russia's Transportation Policies by Marina Koluyartseva, St. Petersburg
The 9th Moscow International Transport and Logistics Exhibition and Conference - TransRussia 2004
was held in the end of March. Among the various issues covered during the conference where new
tariffs and Transportation Ministry's recommendations requiring special protection arrangements
for goods transported by the Trans Siberian Rail Road. |
| 48 |
Svanberg's Formula by Sergei Pankratov, Stockholm
For some years the Swedish company Ericsson had been experiencing serious difficulties and was
on the verge of shutting down when its stock prices dropped from 300 to 7 SEK. In April of 2002
a new CEO was appointed to head the company - Carl-Henric Svanberg, who stopped the gigantic
concern's plunge and turned it around. NH tells about this economic miracle. Interview with
Carl-Henric Svanberg, Ericsson CEO. |
| 54 |
For Safety Reason by Victor Rainer, Tallinn
It is becoming more difficult to regulate air traffic with each year. Is there anyone who can
guarantee a problem free and safe flight? In Europe it is JAA, Joint Aviation Authority, - an
organization that unites aviation companies all over Europe which can conform to its high safety
and service standards. It is not easy to become its member - the experience of Estonian airlines
is vivid proof to this. |
| 58 |
No more Flying for the Flying Finn by Nikolai Borovikov, Helsinki
The first “low fare” Finnish airline ended its existence by going bankrupt not even
making its second anniversary. However the Flying Finn's bankruptcy was only the beginning: it was
followed by an intense legal process concerning the fate of “arrested” aircrafts,
leased by the airline and so not part of its property. Now the owners are fighting the State in
hopes of returning the expensive planes. |
| 60 |
Ready for Takeoff by Sergei Sergeev, Stockholm
After achieving rather unsatisfying results the previous year the international airline SAS is
planning a major restructuring. And in a totally different direction then all the rest European
airlines: replacing the common trend of merging and acquisitions for division into several
constituents. Why and how? |
| 64 |
Tax-Free for Companies by Veronika Pennanen, Helsinki
Ten more countries are joining the European Union. In the long list of changes that will come into
effect on the first of May is the return of VAT. For businessmen from outside the EU it is an
important issue, since now they can get compensation for part of their expenses. A modest
recommendation on how to get back what you are entitled to in the form of VAT. |
| 68 |
Russia: Expect the Unexpected by Nikolai Meinert, Helsinki
When this February a group of foreign journalist accepted the invitation to take a tour through the
cities of Russia's Ural Mountains and North-Western Siberia regions they were prepared for anything.
The reality, however, exceeded all their expectations: instead of backwater towns they found
flourishing modern cities. |
| 74 |
Boats and Boaters by Andreas Stenius, Helsinki
Whether you boat to get to a certain destination or just for the thrill of being on the water this
article can help you get the most of your passion. The boating industry in Scandinavia has been
forming for decades and has come up with the most effective equipment intended to make the time on
the water both pleasurable and safe. |
| 81 |
Modern Amazons Choose Volvo? by Svetlana Pankratova, Stockholm
There's a new vibe on the highly competitive automobile market. Volvo's construction team under the
leadership of Eva-Lisa Andersson caused a sensation at the international automobile salon in Geneva
this March with its new concept car intended primarily for women. If this trend picks up it will
mean a conceptual change on the whole automobile scene. |
| 84 |
Russia in Focus by Natalia Erchova, Helsinki
Russian art is very popular, and not only because of its indisputable artistic value. Many Russian
entrepreneurs have publicly announced their willingness to assist in returning the masterpieces of
Russian art from abroad back into the country. This year on the 8th- 9th of May the largest Northern
European auction house Bukowskis-Hörhämmer is putting up for auction yet another rare
masterpiece. |
| 88 |
Best Hotels of the World: Hotel Astoria St.Petersburg by Anatoliy Kovalev
Hotel Astoria is one of St. Petersburg's most popular and attractive places. Through its history it
has been turned into a hospital twice, a dormitory, and during the WWII blockade opened its doors to
the city's homeless. But through all the years it maintained its respectability and prestige. Among
its guests were US President Bush, the President of France Jacques Chirac, Japan's PM Mori and
others. |
| 94 |
Business Legislation: VAT in Estonia materials prepared by company Larssen
On the first of May 2004 together with the EU membership Estonia gets a new Sale Tax Law. The main
changes in the old law were caused by the necessity to conform it to the European Union regulation
№ 77/388/EEC, regulating taxation of sales between EU member states. What to expect: examples and
explanations.
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