| 14 |
Journalists at Newport by Vladimir Bondarev, Newport
EU foreign ministers met at Newport in south Wales to discuss critical issues standing before the Union among them memberships for Turkey and Croatia and Iran's nuclear ambitions. In the background the journalists from all over the world gathered, waiting for new developments and exchanging stories, mirroring their countries hopes for the future. |
| 18 |
With a Russian Accent by Irina Selezen, Newport
The meeting of EU foreign ministers in Newport has come and gone as planned. This time a group of Russian-speaking journalists both from Russia and from the EU were invited to cover this event with other EU journalists. The growing Russian-speaking population inside the Union has caught the focus of EU officials. |
| 21 |
The National Component by Ljubov Meinert, Ioshkar-Ola
The Tenth International Congress for Finno-Ugric Studies was held in Yoshkar-Ola, the capital of the Mari-El Republic, from August 15th to the 21st 2005. The scientific objectives of the congress are apparent, but can the focus on this republic change the life of the peoples inhabiting its borders for the better? And what is it that needs to be changed? |
| 27 |
For Political Stability Interview with Leonid Markelov, President of Mari El Republic.
Leonid Markelov has been re-elected for the post of president and is now on his second term. During his presidency he has managed to turn the republic's economy around and create a positive environment for foreign and domestic investment. |
| 29 |
Baltic Business Hostages by Alexander Dobrolubov, Tallinn
Recently Russian businesses in Estonia have found themselves between a rock and a hard place. Both Tallinn and Moscow are criticising that which they have not so long ago encouraged. What is causing such fickle behaviour and such an abrupt change in the business climate? |
| 33 |
Pluses and Minuses of Russian Investments by Victor Rainer, Helsinki
After welcoming all foreign investment into its economy Estonia received an unprecedented amount from Russia. How justified are Estonia's concerns that this can lead to the loss of the country's independence? A balanced opinion on the pluses and minuses of attracting Russian investments into the economies of Baltic countries. |
| 34 |
It's not just about the Tires Anymore by Veronika Pennanen, Helsinki
The role of Finnish transportation companies in Russian-Finnish transit is currently less than 10%. Finnish transportation union SKAL blames the illusive Ğmafiağ for this situation. What does it take to prosper on the modern market? NH has asked Esa Kataisto from the successful Polar Logistics Group to comment on the accusations and market situation. |
| 38 |
Exchanging Geography for History by Modris Auzins, Riga
While some Latvian politicians are doing all they can to rebuild the severed transit ties with Russia, others are working as enthusiastically in the opposite direction. While folklore specialists are coming up with new stories to replace history, reality is being ignored and geographical advantages are unavoidably being turned into dead ends. |
| 42 |
BalticBuild by Alexander Istomin, St. Petersburg
In the year 2005 the exhibition, famous earlier as Baltic Building Week and Batimat St.Petersburg, will be held under the new name «BalticBuild». This title provides consistency with the other building exhibitions of the ITE Group in Moscow and CIS. The event has attracted much praise in recent years: it was twice the winner of the Best International Project of the Year award. |
| 44 |
Will the Golden Finger work again? by Adrian Soto, Helsinki
Jorma Ollila is Nokia's most influential executive and head of the company. He has recently announced his retirement from this position and already has been courted by one of the largest companies in the world. Will he bring his Midas touch wherever he goes next? And what will become of Nokia? Will it be able to hold its leading position in telecommunications and for how long? |
| 48 |
Flying High at Low Prices by Viktor Kirzhakov, Köln
In the time when oil prices are pushing commercial airlines out of the sky some companies manage to stay on top. And they do it not by raising ticket prices, but by offering the lowest rates on the market. Germanwings is just one example. What exactly do the passengers sacrifice when choosing to fly cheap? And how did Germanwings manage to conquer the sky? |
| 54 |
Russian Days in Finland by Alexander Dubrovsky, Turku
Once again St.Petersburg days were held at the end of summer in the Finnish city of Turku. Representatives of cultural organisations, business companies and various associations met each other for the 29th time. Apart from a wide cultural programme there was an international cooperation conference and the signing of a new cooperation contract between the two cities. |
| 60 |
Legalising Government Purchasing by Gennadi Rudihin & Veleri Sokolov, St. Petersburg
Government Purchasing in Russia is on the verge of reform - one of the most significant reforms since the declaration of independence. The aim of the reform is to make government and municipal purchasing more effective and minimise corruption. Does this mean that foreign companies will be able to compete with local for state orders? Sounds too good to be true. |
| 64 |
To Fly or not to Fly by Gennadi Muravin, Helsinki
Not so long ago a tragic accident took the lives of 12 passengers and 2 crew when Copterline's helicopter, for no apparent reason, plummeted into the Baltic Sea just 3 minutes after leaving Tallinn. The company, that has been providing transportation services from Helsinki to Tallinn, has been struggling to regain the good faith of its customers. Steadily it is getting back on track. |
| 68 |
Finnish Inspection by Marina Koluyartseva, St. Petersburg
A-Katsastus Oy, the leading private company in the vehicle inspection sector in Northern Europe, has recently become the first foreign company to begin operations in the Russian vehicle inspection market. By providing high quality service the company hopes to break the current trend and bring Finnish tradition of safe driving unto Russia's hazardous roads. |
| 72 |
Hiding Garbage Underground by Pekka Sepponen,Tampere
Managing waste has long been a problem for large cities. Now, with the help of new technologies, Finnish company Ecosir has made a gigantic breakthrough in the area of communal services: garbage containers fitted with hydraulic lifts store waste underground without any odour or leaking hazards. |
| 74 |
Artistic Bathrooms with a Scandinavian Touch by Erki Erkinson, Stockholm
For more than 175 years Swedish company Gustavsberg has been the leader in the manufacture of porcelain and ceramic products. The high quality and attractive artistic design of its bathroom ceramics has brought the company great success on the Scandinavian market. Today its reputation is growing as Gustavsberg conquers the international market. |
| 78 |
Study in Finland by Natalia Erchova, Seinäjoki
When choosing to study abroad many people consider the opportunities provided by Finnish learning establishments. In this issue we look closely at SeAMK - Seinäjoki Polytechnic, a multidisciplinary higher level institution that offers degree level education and applied research and development services. |
| 80 |
When Companies Quarrel by Alla Dubinskaja, Moscow
Breach of contracts is an inevitable downside of corporate activity. Mutual claims of business partners towards each other are nothing new in the world of international economic relations. What are the tendencies of resolving these differences? What is considered the standard practice in Russia? |
| 84 |
Best Hotels of the World: a Touch of History in Polonia Place by Andres Kingisepp, Warsaw
Warsaw suffered so much during the wars of the last century that after WWII it had to be almost completely rebuilt. You can still find parts of the city that have been spared threw time and war, one of them is the Polonia Palace Hotel. After nearly 90 years of welcoming guests from around the world, it has become an architectural landmark of Warsaw, bringing back the charm and style of a bygone era. |
| 94 |
Business Legislation:
- Sea transportation in Estonia has been a rapidly developing area, but there are a lot of problems that still need the government's attention, most of them in the legal department. Some aspects of shipping in Estonia. (Material prepared by company Larssen)
- Who has the right to drive in Finland? The things foreigners need to know about the validity of their driver's licences. (Material prepared by company NordLex, Law Offices) |
